-I wrote the following novel nearly two decades ago. In the years between then and now I've honed my craft, and my perception of this world; my thoughts and ideas; have changed dramatically. However, I still enjoy the premise and have decided to do an overhaul of revisions and rewrites, though likely not until sometime next year. (Though I'm sure I'll do a little as I post chapters)
For now I hope you will enjoy a glimpse into my book writing beginnings...
They are the closest of friends though they have never met in waking life.
Prologue-PT1 Prologue-PT2 Chapter 1
Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10
Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13
Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16
Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19
Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22
Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25
Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28
Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31
Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34
Chapter 35 Chapter 36 Chapter 37
Chapter 38 Chapter 39 Chapter 40
Chapter 41 Chapter 42 Chapter 43
Chapter 44 Chapter 45 Chapter 46
Chapter 47 Chapter 48 Chapter 49
Chapter 50 Chapter 51 Chapter 52
Chapter 53 Chapter 54 Chapter 55
Chapter 56 Chapter 57 Chapter 58
Chapter 59 Chapter 60 Chapter 61
Chapter Sixty Three
New Year’s Eve was there before Collin knew it, and he was currently getting ready to head out to Ben’s. Brent was already there, having of course spent the holidays’ with his family. Jake and Gerald were with their own families and would not be joining them which was just as well.
The phone rang and he answered it with a chipper “Hello!”
“Hey my boy,” it was John, “I know you have plans tonight so I just wanted to catch you and wish you a Happy New Year.”
“Happy New Year’s back at you! You have a work party to go to don’t you?”
“Oh yes, a big collegiate showdown. Will you be available to go to dinner on the third?”
“Definitely.”
“Good, I wanted to tell you something. It’s personal, great news, but I’d rather wait until I saw you in the flesh.”
“Thanks, now I’ll be thinking of nothing else,” he joked.
“Suspense is a good thing,” John joked back.
“Is Katherine there? I want to wish her a Happy New Year too.”
“Of course, she’s standing over my shoulder trying to snatch the phone,” he laughed.
He spoke to Katherine for a few minutes, thanking her for the tenth time for the lovely holiday. He hung up with a grin and shook his head. Talk about a bad year turning out well.
He grabbed a few last minute items and headed out the door, next stop Boston Massachusetts.
**
Aliyah was attending a New Year’s Eve party of her own. Misty was given permission to take over their finished basement to entertain about fifteen giddy teens. Her parents were having a party on the top floor, so it was technically supervised, though Misty confided that they would not be checked on and she had sneaked some bottles out of the liquor cabinet. Amy, Janie, and Dave would be in attendance, though happily Greg was having a party of his own. She said “happily” because she couldn’t stand the jerk.
She had no idea what Amy saw in him besides the fact that he was a popular football player. She hadn’t minded him at first, but the more she got to know him, the more she thought he was a shallow, arrogant loudmouth. She told Amy as much, but she just shook her head and said “I know, but he’s cute and it’s fun. Don’t worry, we won’t last. I still love Mike you know.” She had avoided telling Mike about Greg when she saw him over the holidays rationalizing that Greg wasn’t anything serious. Aliyah figured it was up to her what she decided to divulge.
“Mom!” she called. “I’m ready to go.” Her, Amy, and Janie were getting there early to help set up and get a chance to have some good girl talk. John would not be coming, he and Janie had broken up after that party in the cornfield, she was now seeing Jared who would be there instead. She had completely changed her look and told Aliyah that her mom had bought her a whole new wardrobe for Christmas.
They pulled in front of Misty’s at the same time as Amy and she leaped out of the car yelling “Bye, I love you mom,” over her shoulder.
“This is going to be a blast!” She told Amy.
“Yeah, except all of you are going to have dates and I’m going to be the third, no seventh wheel.”
“Not true, Misty invited a few guys, one of which you might be interested in.”
“Oh yeah, who?”
“Austin James.”
“Seriously?”
“Yup.” Austin was in ski club with them, a ninth grader who had flirted pretty heavily with Amy on their last trip. He was a baseball player, nice looking, good personality, Aliyah would be very happy if he usurped Greg’s position.
“Well, maybe this will be fun after all!”
They went inside and got the downstairs ready to entertain. Misty talked non-stop about her boyfriend Aaron who they didn’t know very well. He had turned sixteen in the beginning of the year and had a job and a car.
“I’m so glad you decided to do this, I feel like we haven’t seen you in forever,” Amy stated.
“Here, here,” Aliyah agreed. Janie just smiled, she was the only one who still spent time with Misty.
“I know, I’m sorry, I’ve just been so busy. Don’t you love Janie’s new look?” She smoothly changed the subject.
“They helped me with it, of course they do.”
“Well I still can’t get over it, all of this time you were hiding how pretty you are,” Misty scolded.
Janie blushed and fiddled with the table cloth. She had come out of her shell quite a bit, but she still embarrassed easily.
“So how’s John these days, do you still talk to him?” Amy asked.
“No, not really. In band sometimes. He’s still mad at me.”
“I feel so bad, it’s like everyone abandoned him.” Aliyah sniffed.
“Don’t, it’s absolutely his choice. He could try and get along with new people, but he won’t.”
“Still…
“Girls, less chatty more worky,” Misty instructed.
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