Following Her Heart (CURRENTLY EDITING)

Chapter 11

I am dedicating this chapter to my friend, Monique. She is like my unofficial "writing coach" in this story so far. She has given me tons of encouragement, tips for improving my writing, and has me helped a lot with character and plot development. I'd like to thank her ALOT because she has really helped me write and develop this story!! :) <3

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I WAS GETTING OFF THE SCHOOL BUS, WALKING UP THE LONG DRIVEWAY THAT LED TO MY TWO-STORY HOME. Most of the time, it was a pleasant sight I looked forward to seeing after a long school day. But today I cringed inside.

I was still wearing the outfit. And I had a ton of makeup on. I wasn't crazy about "showing my mom I was grown up" as Amanda put it. My mom was a great mother. She doesn't deserve this. I should try to run up to my room and change and wash my face to get all this crazy makeup off. I mean, I liked wearing some lipstick and stuff, but the colors Amanda had put on me made me feel like I was in a circus. I went in our front door through the garage, and tip-toed in. Maybe mom wouldn't be home from work.

No such thing. Her car was parked in the garage. I walked in silently and tried to get downstairs to my bedroom.

"Hey honey," my mom's voice called. From the sound of it, she sounded like she had a long, tiring day at work.

"Um, hi mom. I'll be in my bedroom for a few minutes."

"Okay honey-" my mom responded, but then my sister Anna cut in.

"Hannah, why are wearing that crazy outfit?" she said in her baby voice.

"Hannah, come in here please," my mom asked of me, her voice having a lot of tension in it.

I peeked in the kitchen. "Hey," I said, my voice sounding as small as when I had taken permanent marker and drawn on the walls in my room when I was five.

"Hannah Claire Alynsworth!" my mom said, with very shocked, upset eyes looking at me in my new "stylish" outfit.

(One thing you should know: whenever my whole name is called out by one of my parents, its a warning call that I am in trouble.)

"What do you think you're doing?" my mom demanded.

"Um, well, mom, I uh-"

"You wore that to school when I directly told you not to this morning?" she asked, very upset.

"Well, mom"-then I stopped speaking. Should I put up a fight to my mom as Amanda had said? Or should I be the good daughter I have always tried to be? My mother was worn out, and didn't need this stress. I should obey and respect her wishes when it comes to clothes and such things. You know what, though? You need some independence! Your parents do not always know what is best for you! a voice inside said. No, no, you should always respect your parents. another voice said inside. Honor thy father and thy mother, it reminded me. Don't listen to that. We live in the modern world! Teens need to make their own decisions! Whether it means going against parents or not, they need to do it themselves. If you want to wear an outfit, then do it! Moms have no business interfering, the first voice told me.

"Mom," I piped up, "I believe I can make decisions about what I wear now and how I look. Anyway, I am in high school, you know," I reminded her, trying to sound confident about my rebellious decision.

"You don't think I know that?" she asked.

"Well, I am just reminding you."

You better respect me better and watch what you say, young lady. You can be twenty-five for that matter. Does that you mean you forget your Christian faith and modesty Hannah?"

I sat there, stunned. Was I forgetting what I had always said to myself-that I'd always be mindful of my Christian modesty? Remember God came first in my life?

But its time to compromise, that annoying little voice said again. Grow up, God knows you will change a little as time goes on.

"I respect what you're saying, mom, but its time for me to make more of my own decisions," I said firmly.

"You should remember what you promised to God on your Confirmation. To stay firm in your faith always. And you promised to remember the Christian way of modesty, no matter what. Plus you disobeyed me. If you apologize and promise not to wear that outfit or any of its kind again, everything will be forgiven." Her voice softened. "I know you're experiencing peer pressure Hannah. I did too when I was your age. I-"

"No, you don't know what I am going through! When you were my age, you didn't have a school like Thomas Edison! All the kids there are cool. If you're not, and if you're tiny, and petite and unattractive like me, then you have almost no chance! I felt almost popular today! Actually I was talking to the captain of the cheerleading squad! Don't you see, this is my chance to be me?" I demanded, almost angrily, with tears in my eyes.

With saying that, and waiting for no response from my shocked mom and youngest sister, watching me, I stomped downstairs to my room and cried on my bed, wishing with all my heart I was back in middle school.