“So, Julia, do you have everything you need for today?” Mom asks.
“Yes, it’s all here in my folder.”
“Isn’t Alex supposed to be here? Or is he going to meet us? ” Dad asks.
“He said he’d be here, but I don’t know why he hasn’t shown up yet.”
“So why not call him,” Mom suggests.
I didn’t want to jump the gun, so I figure I’d give him five more minutes before calling. Alex and I have been best friends for close to a year now. We attend the same school, and both are in the same grade except we have no classes together. Alex happened to help me out on my first day and we’ve been friends ever since. Neither one of us is popular in school, so we try to just stick together. While finishing the last of my pancakes, I hear the doorbell. It has to be Alex, so I excuse myself from the table and rush to the door.
Opening the door, there Alex stood. He has a huge grin on his face. I ask him why he’s grinning from ear to ear. Looking at me he says, “You clean up pretty nice, Julia.”
“Right back at you,” I say while punching him in his arm. “Now, come on!”
Alex follows me into the kitchen where Mom’s just finishing cleaning up and Dad’s putting on his blue blazer.
“Look who’s here!” I say as I throw out my hands like I’m showing Alex off.
“Good morning, Alex. Are you hungry?” Mom asks.
“Honey, we don’t have enough time. We need to leave any minute.” Dad reminds her while tapping on his wrist watch with a smile.
“Oh, that’s alright, Mrs. Stone. My mother made sure I ate before I left the house, but thank you for offering,” says Alex.
Knowing it was just about time to leave, I could feel my hands start to sweat. My throat becomes dry, so I decide to grab a bottle of water for the road and a couple of napkins for my sweaty hands. Looking over at Alex, I notice he’s smiling at me. It kind of makes me feel uncomfortable.
“What’s up? Why are you smiling?” I ask Alex.
“I don’t want to say.”
“Come on, now you have to tell me.” I insisted.
“Well, I’ve just never seen you look like a girly girl, that’s all.”
I wasn’t sure how to respond to the comment Alex had just made, so I politely smile and close the refrigerator door. My mom and dad tell us it’s time to head on out, so Alex and I make our way out the door while I lock up behind me. The car ride is a quiet one. I think it’s because everyone’s nerves are on edge. After a little over five hours in a car and two stops in between, we finally arrive. My dad decides to drop us off in front of the building while he parks the car.
“So this is it, Julia. Don’t be nervous. Remember, you’ve got this. It’s a done deal,” Alex says while trying to reassure me.
“Yes, honey. You’ve come this far. Just remember to speak from the heart and be thankful for the people who’ve stood behind you. You’re about to do a lot of good for others, giving them a second chance at hope,” my mom says with a reassuring smile.
I can see my dad coming around the corner making his way toward the building. He has a huge smile plastered on his face. My dad and I have always been close, so whenever I’ve been stressed or nervous he’s the one that makes me feel better.
“What’s wrong, Julia?” Dad asks with a sense of love and compassion.
I know he worries about me. I also know that I’m lucky to have him here by my side. Not wanting him to see me a wreck, I put a smile on my face and say, “I’m a bit nervous and my hands are clammy, that’s all.”
“Where are the napkins you brought from the house?” Alex chimes in.
“I forgot them in the car.”
Before I could ask my dad if he would go back to the car to get the napkins, he reaches into his pocket and pulls them out while saying “I have you covered, Julia.” With a feeling of comfort I reach out for the napkins, but not before reaching for Dad. I wrap my arms around him while he whispers in my ear, “I’m right here and I’ll be with you every step of the way.” I knew as soon as he said those words my stomach would stop flipping and my nerves would calm a little.
“So, are we ready to head on in?” Alex asked with his voice sounding a little shaky like my knees.
“Yes, let’s get going. We only have a few more minutes before it starts,” says Dad.
“You guys head on in. I want to take a minute if you don’t mind?” I ask while trying to hide the fact that I was still nervous and didn’t want them to see.
Nobody actually says anything; they just walk up the stairs and into the building.
Standing alone I find myself looking straight out into the world. I breathe in and then out. I tell myself that this is it, and then I walk up the stairs. I’m greeted by my parents and Alex, but it’s not until I hear a familiar voice that I’m taken back a little.
“Hello, Julia. How are you?” Without hesitation, I turn around and smile with happiness.
“I’m good, really good now.”
“I hope you’re ready because this is your moment to shine, Julia. So, what do you say, shall we go in?”
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Acknowledgements
Devyn Dawson
Close your eyes and imagine fireworks, well, you can’t read this if your eyes are closed. I have to honestly give credit to my daughter Paris for her encouragement and friendship. It’s surreal when your children grow up, and they go from child to friend. My son Hunter for keeping the liveliness in the house. He is my go to for ‘is this cool’ questions.
To all of the people that have Tweeted and reposted on Facebook about my books and giveaways. For everyone that has written a review, I appreciate every word. To every fan that has emailed me about writing books or to ask about a character. I am humbled by your praise.
Thank you, to my sister for telling me one time when I was a child that writers are artists too.
My friends that have all listened to me talk about characters as if they’re real. I appreciate your friendship and thanks for not having me committed…yet.
To my husband Mike for understanding my obsession with watching Sons of Anarchy episodes over and over… it makes me creative, I swear! I find this funny since my books are nothing like SOA.
To all of my author friends for pimping my books. I am grateful to everyone that blogs about books, you really do make authors look good.
Stalk Me!
The following books are available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords & www.devyndawson.com
www.devyn-dawson.blogspot.com
Twitter - devyndawson
Facebook - Devyn Dawson
The Light Tamer
Enlightened - Book Two
Light Bound - Book Three - Spring 2013
If you can’t get enough of werewolves - check out the following books by Devyn Dawson
Mature Young Adult
The Legacy of Kilkenny
The Seduction - Novelette -
Malevolence - Book Two - The Legacy of Kilkenny
Sapphire - A Werewolf Love Story - Novella to Malevolence (December 2012)
The Great Wolf - Book Three The Legacy of Kilkenny (March 2013)
Enlightened A Light Tamer Novel (The Light Tamer) Page 17