Hey guys! So this is just a brief teaser for the next book which is currently in the works.
Keep in mind, this is not necessarily chapter one of the sequel. Nor is it set in stone.
Nonetheless, please enjoy, COMMENT and VOTE. And STAY POSTED for the first chapter of the sequel, which I am -- at this very moment -- working upon!
-Belle
I looked down at the stack of textbooks exploding from my arms and mentally raged against higher education for the umpteenth time that day. There was no way this armload of used literature could cost as much as the receipt I was holding in my hand assured me that I had paid for it.
“Ugh.” I groaned. In the past twenty minutes I had spent almost all of the money I made that summer manning the drink station at Gino’s Italian Restaurant. Add to that the compiling list of fees and charges I was racking up in preparation for my first semester at a State University and it felt like my proverbial ledger was bleeding red ink faster than a hemophiliac at a blood drive.
In fact, I was so busy bemoaning the sudden lightness of my credit card that I didn’t notice the curb under my foot until it was too late.
“Ahh!” I yelped, as my arms flailed wildly, dropping my books to the concrete sidewalk in the process. People were staring. I could feel their mocking eyes on my neck even as I sprawled on the hard ground.
“I. Hate. College.” I muttered under my breath. This was going to be the worst five months of my life.
“What was that?” A smooth voice asked, as a suntanned hand reached forward to help me up.
I knew that voice.
Blinking in shock, my head jerked upwards, nearly colliding with his chin as he stooped down to pick up my new (used) psychology textbook.
“Levi?” I squealed, forgetting my scattered purchases to jump up and throw myself at him excitedly. He squeezed me in a bear-hug, the strength of his arms making it pleasantly difficult to breathe.
“Whoa there, Emma.” He grinned, looking down at me with the big brown eyes I had missed so badly. “It’s good to see you too.”
“What are you doing here?” I gasped. “I thought you were in Florida finishing your GED?”
“I did.” He smiled proudly. “I’m official now.”
I didn’t respond until he had stepped away and finished picking up the rest of my books.
“But how are you here?” I pressed. “It’s not like Albany is particularly close to Littleton, or even remotely close!”
“College, of course.” He grinned. “Did you know that UAlbany actually has a great fire science program?”
My mouth dropped open in shock.
“Plus they’re looking for help over at the Colonie Fire Department.” He continued, ignoring my flabbergasted look.
“And I thought...now that Mom's doing so well…why not make a clean start?”
“Are you joking?” I squealed, suddenly coming to my senses. Throwing caution to the winds, I leapt forward and gave him another huge hug. “You’re going to college with me? This is the best news I’ve ever heard!”
He laughed deeply and pulled away, draping a casual arm over my shoulder and carrying my books in the other like it was no big deal.
“Yep. I figured someone would have to keep an eye on you now that Captain America is saving the world one dehydrated meal at a time.”
“His name--” I laughed, “--Is Eric, but I am so happy to have you here! I’ve been tearing my hair out worrying that I won’t make friends and I’ll be some sort of recluse who hides in the corners of the library and scares the other freshman out of their wits.”
“My Emma? A recluse?” He smirked. “Over my dead body. Now, let’s get these books back to your car before my arm falls asleep--I assume you drove here, right?--Then I’m going to show you around my new dorm room. You'll love my roommate; apparently he plays the bassoon.”
I flashed him a smile and pulled my car keys out of my pocket.
"You, my friend," I grinned up at him, "are a lifesaver."
"Don't I know it." He teased.
Maybe this semester wasn't going to be so bad after all.
YOU ARE READING
My Spring Break Fiasco
Teen FictionEmma Black is just your average pastor's daughter, a little quirky, a little shy, and very passionate about her friends and family. Over spring break of her senior year of high school, she flies to Florida to spend time with her ailing grandmother a...
