My Recycled Soul (A Sample)

My mom calls out while passing my bedroom door, "Elizabeth! I am not going to call you again. It's time to get up, or you'll make everybody late."

Stretching, I throw the warm blankets from me reluctantly. I fold my arms around me, as I rush over to the window to see what the weather brought with it today.

It is a truly dreary day-grey, grey and grey everywhere. No wonder I overslept, it is still dark outside.

I realize I only have half an hour before we have to leave for school, so in a whirlwind I rush through my room. I am as ready as I will ever be by the time my mom's exasperated voice reaches up to me from the hall, "Come Elizabeth, you are late."

My mom complains all the way to school about my tardiness, and I am relieved when we eventually stop in front of the gate.

Jane is waiting for me as always. "Hey Elizabeth, you are late today," she says when I reach her.

" Hey." I shrug and turn back to wave to my mom.

" Looks like summer said goodbye yesterday," Jane says looking up at the sky and I agree.

We walk down the pathway to the main school building and start talking together, but polite as only Jane can be, she allows me to speak first.

" Do you like, and I mean, really like Aaron?" I ask her inquisitively.

Her head snaps around to look at me, and then she looks around to see who might be in the near hearing vicinity. I give her a questioning look, pulling my eyebrows up curiously.

" Yes, I do-alright?" She whispers.

" So what is your problem then, telling me he really likes me?"

She sighs. "What is there for me to do? We have been together in the same school, in the same group of friends since our first year and he just does not notice me."

" Make him notice you!"

" How must I do that?"

" Tell him."

Easier said than done.

Horrified she stares at me. "Have you completely lost your mind?"

" Maybe." I smile mysteriously.

" Please. Promise me you would never tell him," she begs horrified.

" No," I say laughing.

" Please." She grabs my shoulders and she whirls me around so that I am facing her. "Please!"

" Honestly," I say, still laughing. "If I am going to be your friend, you are really going to have to start trusting me."

She smiles and sighs with relief.

We carry on walking and she retaliates, "It's not like you would tell Jared how you feel about him, now would you?"

Vivid memories flash through my mind from the day before. His dark cropped hair, full eyebrows, long eyelashes and his perfectly straight nose. Never mind his luscious lips and those green, green eyes. Strong arms twirling me around, the jacket I forgot at home that smells so very much like him, his whisper against my ear.