Sunday, January 26, 2014

Claire's Song Teaser!

Here's a teaser from my latest book, Claire's Song. It's the first 3 pages of the first chapter. The story alternates between Claire's perspective and Ryder's. I have to say it's my favorite story I've ever written and I really do love the characters in it, Claire, Ryder, and Jamie. I hope you enjoy and I'd love to hear what you think! Thanks for stopping by!


CHAPTER ONE:

CLAIRE

           
             The hallways of Briarmont High are my own personal hell. Each time I park my piece of crap car in the parking lot I curse Jamie for leaving me here, alone.  I hate him, but at the same time, I miss him so much it hurts. The memory of his messy black hair slices into my heart; his rare smile furthers the job and bleeds me dry. My chest rises faster with each thought of him, each moment spent together and I feel the familiar panic begin to bubble up, the pressure of the walls quickly closing in. I try to stop and breathe in deep, just like my therapist told me to do. It almost works, but then I catch a glimpse of the tattoo on my wrist--his initials--and I know everything is not fine.
            "Watch out freak!" a huge jock grunts, bumping into me so hard that I slam right into the stale green lockers. The impact shakes my fragile bones and shatters everything, bringing me back to the present. Snickers erupt and even though I try to avoid eye contact, I can still see them pointing at me as I attempt to right myself. Everything blurs together as a watery film forms over my gaze. I will not cry. Not here. Not in front of them. They aren't worthy of my tears.
            "You should've seen her little skeletal face," the head of my personal tormenting crew cackles as I race down the hallway. They know nothing. They have no idea what I’ve been through or the guilt they’ve branded on my heart. When I’m almost to my first period class, I turn around just in time to see Lindy Baker with her perfectly styled blonde hair and designer purse reenacting my shove into the lockers. Everyone around her pauses, their eyes glued to me as I walk through the classroom door. As soon as I’m out of earshot they all burst into a cacophony of sound. I dig my nails into the palm of my hand hard enough to draw blood, the pain sharp enough to elicit a gasp as I slip into my seat. In every class I sit in the back, not wanting to draw attention to myself. That was always Jamie's thing, too. I look over to the seat beside me and sigh. That would've been his. As I'm staring and trying hard not to break down in the middle of the classroom, a tall boy slides into the seat. He doesn't look at me at first and I don't remember him from anywhere. His chestnut hair is shaggy, covering his eyes and curling wildly at his neck. He straightens his faded black hoodie and then pulls up the sleeves revealing thick leather bands on each wrist. My eyes narrow as I inspect them. No one's held my interest in a long time and I wonder what it is about this guy that makes me want to keep looking, to know what he's hiding from.


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  And because I'm a music junkie, let me include a song that I played over and over as I wrote this story! Here's Ben Howard's Promise, courtesy of Ibrisar. Enjoy!

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