A teenage girl, Chelsea Cross, and her older brother, Mitchell Cross, were told that her twin sister, Kelsey Cross, died when they got into a car crash 12 years before. One night, while Chelsea was home alone, she heard a noise come from the attic. Mitchell was at his girlfriend's house, and their parents were away on a business trip and would be for another month. She goes upstairs to discover her twin sister was up there the whole time. Chelsea found out that her sister was to stay quiet the whole time she was up there, and she eventually lost her voice from not making a sound. She wanted to confront her parents, but refused, since she didn't know what would happen to her, or her twin sister. A few months later, Chelsea had taken Kelsey out to meet her friends at her band practice. Her parents had come home early and notice that Chelsea, and Mitchell weren't home. Gary, their dad, went upstairs to the attic to make sure Kelsey was still up there. She wasn't. Gary ran down the stairs and told Marie, their mom, that Kelsey was missing. Chelsea, Kelsey, and Mitchell come home and see their parents car in the driveway. Chelsea tries to sneak Kelsey back into the attic while Mitchell distracted his parents. Only they didn't know that their parents already knew Kelsey wasn't up there. Their parents punish all three of them. Mitchell got it the worst punishment though. Kelsey's punishment was second worst, and then Chelsea's punishment. Chelsea called the police while Mitchell and her mom were outside and Kelsey and her dad were in the attic. They had locked Chelsea in her room for the time being so that Kelsey and Mitchell could receive their punishment, but they forgot to take away her cell phone. The police arrived, and Chelsea found shocking news about her parents...
While her best friend Cassidy snacks on brie and boys in France, Darcy Li-Quinn must face her last year of high school and the unpredictable wrath of her sister, Danica, alone. Darcy's plan for dealing with Danica and her heinous friends is simple-be invisible. But first, she's promised Cassidy she'll do 'one brave thing'.
Mustering the courage to say 'hi' to the cute boy on the bus, Darcy expects rejection or indifference. She doesn't anticipate a grumpy ghost with unfinished business who needs her help.
Suddenly, a quiet year of flying under the radar looks increasingly unlikely.
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Rationally, Hunter Viera knows that his brother's death wasn't his fault. But that doesn't stop his guilt about Archer invading his every thought or lessen the grief sitting heavy in his chest.
Changing schools offers a fresh start, and Hunter's plan is simple-be invisible. But he hasn't counted on Darcy, or her ludicrous claim that Archer speaks to her from beyond the grave.
Suddenly, a quiet year of sitting on the sidelines looks increasingly unlikely.
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This is a story about hearts and hope and public transport.
This is Darcy and Hunter's story (and a little bit Archer's too).
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'Get A Life' is my entry for Open Novella Contest 2023 and is inspired by the following prompts.
20. You finally build enough courage to talk to that cute someone you see every day on the bus. Their face turns dark as they respond "You shouldn't be able to see me."
9. There's an urban legend that's been circulating for years about a taxi cab that doesn't take you where you want to go, but where you need to go. One night, you stepped into this cab.