Lindsey's Choice

By Laurel Peterson

If only I had cared about Deirdre being bullied...

If only I had told my parents the truth...

If only I had said no...

Would my life have turned out differently?

Lindsey Connors is a typical 16 year old. As with many young girls her age, she is presented with many difficult choices and situations. As we know as adults, some of the choices, good or bad, we make at a young and vulnerable age may guide the rest of our lives.

Are you ready for the fun and unique part? This story is interactive. It allows the reader to participate in Lindseyʼs Choices. Live through Lindsey! It is tailored so the reader can control the direction of Lindseyʼs journey toward maturity.

The first tough decision confronting Lindsey is whether to start drinking alcohol at a party. Does she give in to the peer pressure and be accepted by the popular crowd or does she decide to stay with her old friends?

The reader can identify with Lindsey and her friends and can think about what they would do in the situations presented to Lindsey. The reader can see that with each choice Lindsey makes, her life is changed, she changes, and her choices have a profound impact on the people around her.

Following the initial decision Lindsey makes, the story then branches into two story lines. Lindsey continues to be faced with many new and challenging obstacles: a friendship with a bullied and suicidal student, peer pressure to take drugs, and challenges in relationships. How can Lindsey pursue her passions and not get caught sitting on the sidelines? Read how with making certain choices she realizes what is important in life OR read how with making different choices she lets life pass her by.

This book enables the reader to make choices in a fictional world, in order to assist them in making the right decisions in their own lives.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Laurel Peterson
• Release date: Oct 8, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301123667

Laurel Peterson

Laurel Peterson received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from the University of Alberta. Her experience includes dealing with students on varying issues during her years as a School Health Nurse in Alberta cities. Laurel has drawn from her work experience to create the issues and obstacles the main character faces.Laurel has consulted and presented on various topics such as alcohol/drug abuse, relationship issues, bullying, suicide and depression, teen sexuality/teen pregnancy and decision-making skills.She has been previously published in The Canadian Nurse, a nursing journal. The article, “So you want to be a Nurse?” documents the stress faced by college students and specifically nursing students.Laurel Peterson currently lives in Edmonton, Alberta with her husband and two daughters. She continues to work as a Public Health Nurse.She can be reached at [e-mail].

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Bye Bye Summertime

Hot. Too hot. My whole body is stick y and moist. I feel like I can’t even take a fresh breath. I can’t believe I’m complaining. I’ve been looking forward to summer holidays for months and now, here we are at the beach, again. Actually the best part of lying on my towel, resting my body on my elbows and for sure, wearing my shades, is checking people out.

I love watching all the different people do what they do. Kids playing in the sand, eating the sand, some peeing in the sand. Digging holes, fighting for toys. Another family has just arrived at a picnic table. Mom unpacks their lunch while all five kids run off into the water. Who wanted PB & J, and who wanted plain cheese?

My best friend Chloe went to get us some mango ice Smoothies. She loves having an excuse to get up and strut her stuff. Chloe and I have been best friends since grade 5. I guess that means about five years because we celebrated my 16th birthday last Friday.

Oh my god, he’s here!

My body took a small leap.

You scared the crap out of me… who’s here?

Jacob Stein! Chloe replied in a half-whisper half-scream.

Why can’t you give up on him, he’s still dating what’s her face from Hunts Skunks. Huntington Middle School is our arch rival and apparently our guys think its cooler to date Hunts hotties. Just because they’ve been female city volleyball champions three years in a row.

Jess said they broke up this summer, Chloe said in one short breath.

Jessica just wishes… she doesn’t know for sure.

Lindsey, why do you always do this?

Do what?

You can never be just happy or excited for me. Can’t I just have a little fun?

Fine. I just don’t want you to get hurt again like the last time… I said.

Adam is a loser and we’re not talking about him. Chloe attempted to make it really clear.

Whatever. Who’s Jacob with? I pretended to be interested.

The Newman boys, Kurt and Eddie… and some other guy I didn’t recognize. Jacob looked soooo good, he’s got like totally long curly hair now, very tanned with that same gorgeous smile.

I tried to look past Chloe to check out the action. Sure enough he was looking good. He was wearing a pair of khaki green cargos with his white T hanging from his shorts, obviously just finished up a game of beach volleyball.

Looks like he’s wearing that choker you gave him last summer, maybe they did break up. Here we go again…

My name is Lindsey Conners. I am 16 years old. I live at 520 Wright road. I’ve lived in the city of Canon all my life. My dad, richard is a dentist and works long hours. My mom, Katherine (or Kate), picks up the odd shift at Canon General Hospital as a labor and delivery nurse. I love to hear her stories of some of the babies she gets to help deliver. Sounds like it really hurts but I can’t wait to have my own baby some day. My mom says that it is a lot harder than just having a cute cuddly infant to hold all day long. She told me once there was a girl my age that had a baby. The mom gave her to a family who couldn’t have their own babies. I guess it was pretty sad.

My mom is pretty cool. That’s what my friends say. She lets me listen to my music loud when we’re driving in the car. But sometimes I feel like she’s always trying to get in my business. That drives me crazy. She always asks so many questions when I get home from being with my friends or even before I go out! My dad is OK. I mean, it’s not like we talk much. He doesn’t seem very interested in what I’m doing and I like it like that.

I have an 11-year-old sister, Aimee. She is so annoying. She borrows my clothes and wrecks them. Sometimes when Chloe and Jessica are over, she follows us around like a puppy. She even tries to listen to our conversations when we’re in my room with the door closed. I know this because I’ve crept up to my door and opened it quickly, and she practically falls into my room ear first! She totally tries to be like us. My mom says she admires us and I should consider it a compliment. Whatever.

My little brother Derek is six. I guess Mom and Dad thought they’d try for their boy just one more time. Well they got what they wanted. Actually he’s pretty cute. He just plays with his trains and doesn’t say too much. Kinda like my dad, I guess that’s why people say he takes after him.

We’ve lived in the same house since I was born. Chloe lives a few doors down. Jessica lives out in the country on a farm. Her family has a lot of animals. Jessica wants to be a vet one day. Chloe wants to be a model. I still don’t know what I want to be yet. I have a long time to decide. My mom and dad are always after me about getting good grades. I don’t even like school and I have no idea what’s so important about good grades. It’s not like doing good in math is going to get me an awesome career where I make a lot of money.

My mom should be here soon to pick us up, I said. Do you think I should talk to him? asked Chloe. Sure, why not, you’re not the shy type.

Here I go, wish me luck! Chloe giggled as she pranced away towards the group of guys hanging around the volleyball net.

Sometimes I wish I was more like Chloe. She’s so pretty, long straight blonde hair, blue eyes (Chloe says they’re called icy blue), great body, at least the guys think so. She is always getting checked out when we’re at the beach. Guys are always staring at her chest when she’s talking to them or watching her when she’s walking away from them. She could just pick and choose any guy she wants.

Her mom and dad divorced when she was a baby. Her mom was only 18 when she had her. Her mom is really pretty, too. She always seems to have a boyfriend over. Chloe doesn’t seem to mind because she always gets a lot of attention from them also. Sometimes when we have sleepovers, Chloe’s mom’s latest boyfriend stays overnight. Either that or he comes over to visit really early in the morning.

What is taking her so long? We’re supposed to meet my mom just off the main pier at 4 o’clock and it’s 5 to 4. As I was packing up my suntan oil, brush and towel, I caught a glimpse of Chloe and the boys. They had all circled around her, hanging off every word. She gave her flirty laugh and looked down at her feet, shuffling imaginary rocks. She noticed I was watching and waved my way, for me to come over. I gathered my things.

Lindsey, come over here! shouted Chloe.

Hey. I tried to greet the group as coolly as I could.

Linds, you remember Jacob? asked Chloe.

Jake, replied Jacob with much more confidence than I remember. How has your summer been? inquired Jake.

Pretty short, worked a lot and spent the rest of the time here, I replied.

Lookin’ forward to going back?

Not at all.

Jake gave a cute laugh as he looked down at his sandals, gave me a quick smile and brushed some blonde curls off his face.

Chloe announced loudly that it was time to go.

So call me OK? instructed Chloe.

I’ll call ya tonight. Jake gave a wink to Chloe as he and the boys turned away.

Who’s that guy in the shades? I asked Chloe. I don’t know, why?

He looks familiar…

There’s my mom.

Nothing feels better than a cold shower after a hot day at the beach. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror as I was reaching for my towel. I look fat. I need to be skinny like Chloe and then I could get the guys she gets. I combed out my shoulder-length brown straight hair. I guess it’s called chestnut brown, same color as my eyes. I’m pretty plain. I sure got quite a tan over the summer, my teeth look like I painted them white. That’s the one thing I do like about myself, people tell me I have a nice smile. My mom says I should smile a lot more because I have such perfect teeth. Oh well, if I were only skinnier.

Lindsey, phone! yelled mom.

Thanks mom, I’ll take it in my room.

Hello?

Hey, it’s me. How was the beach today?

Hey Jess. Same old thing. Chloe saw Jacob Stein and went up and talked to him.

You’re kidding?! Think they’ll get together?

I’m thinking she’ll wait until we get back to school, see if there are any new cute guys.

Adam really messed her up. She doesn’t seem to take anything really serious anymore when it comes to guys.

You probably would, too, if the one guy you thought was going to be your boyfriend for the whole summer, dumped you for someone else.

Ya right. Three more sleeps and we are official high school babes.

I am so not excited.

Come on Linds, it’s going to be the best time of our life! real high school parties, dating, we’ll get our driver’s license and actually drive ourselves to school! I can’t wait!

I guess you’re right, we have a lot to look forward to. I attempted to convince myself.

CHAPTER 2

Meet Joey

I am totally terrified about star ting Creston High School. There are three other junior high schools that feed into this school. I just feel like I’ll get lost, and what if my friends want to hang out with other girls? What if I get left out of things because I’m not cool enough? What if I don’t make the volleyball team? I’ve always been on all the sport teams. I think that’s what I’m best known for. If I don’t make these teams, than what? Just be a complete dork and walk the hallways alone?

I’ve got to get some sleep; I’m so tired of these neverending thoughts. I look over at my clock, 1:58 AM; I have to work at 9 AM. If I’m late again, bitchy Bridget will let me hear about it and I’ll have another crappy day at work. This will be my last weekend before school anyways. Working at the beach scooping ice cream hasn’t been that bad but I sure don’t want to do it for the rest of my life.

Can I get a double scoop of chocolate please? a sweet little voice asked politely.

No sweetie, just a mini-scoop for you, her mom instructed.

OK… she said with obvious disappointment.

Here you go cutie-pie, here are some extra sprinkles on top for good luck, I offered.

Thank you! she replied with a big grin missing two front teeth.

Thanks, her mother said kindly as they left the parlor.

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