When I was little, my mother always read to me. I remember the first time I recognized a word on the paper and pointed to it. "Look!" I said out loud, and my mom was proud.
Words have always been precious to me. From the very beginning, I've been able to shape them together to express myself. Letters turn into full sentences. I try my best not to let things exit my mouth before thinking. But that day two long months ago...
"You inconsiderate asshole!" I screeched at Toby.
"Lynn, quiet down." he mumbled, clearly not at all sorry.
"I can't believe it..." I said, astounded.
"I didn't know you would be this embarrassed.." was his pathetic reply.
I needed time to think, so I calmly walked out of the room. My awkward gait made me feel self-conscious as I walked, but I knew I had to get out of there. Toby was my best friend, but I was unbelievably angry.
I told him, mere days ago, "I want you to read my story."
I had blurted it out kind of fast, because I am shy and an introvert. It felt too strange to tell him how I really felt. Those kinds of things are saved for late night texts. Instead, I let him know I finally trusted him by handing him my ripped leather notebook and allowing him to read my latest story.
I was proud of it, really. But I never wanted it to be for anyone's eyes but Toby's. My stories are mainly for me, because writing makes me happy. It is the sole thing in the world I am good at. It takes work, and I can weave together beautiful paragraphs.
Apparently, Toby thought so too. Hours after reading it, he had it typed up and entered under my name for the "Aspiring Authors" contest at school. It was a huge deal here, but I never planned on entering. My goal was to get through high school without being noticed and therefore made fun of.
The winner of the contest gets to go on a weeklong tour in the United States and meet a few authors. I swooned at the idea, but it wasn't worth the risk. I had absolutely no plans of being in a contest. Thus far, I was perfectly content with reading books on the couch for the rest of my life.
Little did I know, Toby changed that plan for me.
YOU ARE READING
Aspiring Authors
أدب المراهقينLynn is trying her best to fit in at school, but her friend, Toby isn't making that very easy for her. She's always loved words, but never intended for them to be read by an audience. Things are about to change for poor Lynn.
