Reaching for Hope Book 2

Chapter 16

I just stood in the doorway, not knowing what to say. What if Leo erased their memories? I held my breath and walked to their table, they had books and notes scatters everywhere.

I stopped a couple of feet away. 

"H-hi guys." The words left my mouth just above a whisper, but loud enough for them to hear.

They all moved their heads in unison and looked at me, Lucy stood up incredibly fast.

"GRACE!" She screamed, stumbling toward me and hugged me so tight I could barely breathe and began crying.

"We thought you were dead!" Taylor called.

At that point, everyone in the library was looking at us in awe.

"How are you here?" Ashley asked frantically.

Aaron just stared at me, while Ashley pried Lucy off of me.

I took a few steps to him, but he didn't move. "A-are you really here? I'm not crazy am I?" my eyes began to fill with tears. He walked closer to me with caution. raising his hand to touch my cheek.

"Your not crazy," I said pulling him into a hug, "I'm home."

I told them that I had escaped and was found by a lady in the woods who helped me regain my memories. I didn't tell them about all the magic pieces just yet.

After that, they took me straight to the principal to call my dad.

My dad wanted me home right away, but I wanted to stay at school for the little time that was left of the school year. It took a lot of convincing, but in the end, he gave in. The remaining weeks were a little awkward. for me, it felt like a took a nap in the snow. For them, I was gone for most of the year, when they looked at me like I was a ghost.

Lucy tried her hardest to make things as normal as they could be considering how I acted before I vanished.

During lunch one day we got into a conversation about my grades and my graduation.

"Are you expected to catch up over the summer? or maybe graduate late?" Ashley asked.

"The school board said I don't have to make up my credits because of how long I was out. I will still have to pass the state tests next year and catch up on my elective credits though. The major classes I may have to take double classes for some." I said.

"That sounds very confusing, so its just the electives that will be doubled?" Taylor added.

"Ya," Aaron answered " Having her make up basically a year of the harder classes is just unfair. She could get specialized classes next yeat so she can be on leave. Next year is going to be very confusing."

"If my dad lets me come back." I laid my head on the table.

"What!" Lucy called "He can't do that, it's not your fault. It's not like you did anything of your own will!"

"But her life was in danger twice while she was here, you can't blame him for being worried." Taylor answer.

"I'll try to talk to him over the summer, he hasn't said anything to me directly. I just know" I slid further down my seat.

"Everything will work out like it's supposed to." Said Taylor.

"Are you trying to be philosophical or something?" Replied Lucy, "Fricking nerd."

That got a good chuckle out of Aaron, Taylor, and I. It was nice to see her joking in this serious situation. I want to be able to come back next year. To laugh with everyone forever. This is my family, and I want to protect it more than anything.

"Let's have a party," I said sitting up.

~Authors Note~

I'm trying to write as fast as I can without losing quality in my writing and storytelling. In August of 2020, I will be leaving Navy Bootcamp for 8 weeks, then after that I will be gone again for 24weeks for my job-specific training. In total, I will be in the Navy for 6 years, then I will be in the reserves for 2 years.

I know this chapter is short, but I really want to finish this part of the story. Before I leave I want to get the next book done, or at least half done. I also have plans to finish a different love story and missing. It's my main goal right now, and I will work hard to complete it.

Love, 

Hannah A. Williams