The Vet Student

By Lauren Shiro

One night changed everything for Katie. From that moment on, her life was propelled forward like a rocket. Determined to escape the small town and her religious, stifling parents,Katie works hard to get into veterinary school... in Philadelphia. Katie refused to let anything – or anyone – destroy her dream. Not even her own parents. Even in the face of danger, Katie held true to herself and her beliefs. She suffered many losses along the way, but she gained so much more. Tumultuous and tender, Katie’s story closes the Loving Her series... for now.

• Language: English
• Publisher: VanillaHeart
• Release date: Jun 20, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310915826

Book preview

The Vet Student

Loving Her, the series Book 8

by Lauren Shiro

Copyright 2014 Lauren Shiro

Published by: Vanilla Heart Publishing on Smashwords

Ebook Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to the retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from the publisher, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review.

Table of Contents

Dedications

The Vet Student

More Great Books by Lauren Shiro

Lauren Shiro

Series Dedication

I dedicate this entire group of stories to the loving memory of my grandfather. My hero, my rock, my greatest fan. He always encouraged and supported my writing. It is because of him that you are reading these and I wrote them. Thank you will never be enough. Rest in peace, RPK. You are greatly loved and missed.

Book Dedication

Last, and certainly not least, I dedicate this book to my publisher, my coach, and my friend, Kimberlee. In the past few years you have watched me grow. You saw me stumble a few times. But you were always there, encouraging more and challenging me to go further. There is no way I could have become the writer I am without you. Thank you for believing in me and seeing a talent in me that I didn’t see in myself. Thank you!

The Vet Student

Katie sat in the circle, surrounded by her friends and classmates. She was so excited to be at Stacey’s house. Thank goodness, most of the girls’ parents were people who belonged to Katie's father's congregation. Otherwise, her parents never would have let her come.

The girls were playing truth Truth or Dare. Katie had never played it before. It was quite interesting, if not a bit scary, considering that all of the truth questions were exploitative in nature, and the dares were frightening to say the least. She was a tad nervous since she really didn’t know what to expect. On the other hand, she was exhilarated at the thought of being rebellious to her parents' strict rules.

Truth or dare? Jackie Thompson asked Katie. Jackie Thompson was one of the most beautiful girls in school. She had stunning wavy brown hair. Her eyes were a striking emerald green. She was tall and lean. She was going to pursue a career in modeling after they graduated; and everyone at Central High School knew she would do well.

Katie was afraid being alone in the same room with the gorgeous girl. She had a secret crush on her. But this was it. This was her opportunity to prove herself, to gain Jackie’s attention. This was her moment to be herself and just be free. Excitedly, Katie answered, Dare!

Jackie was a bit of a wild child. She had already tasted alcohol, dated several boys, and rumor had it she had even gone all the way with one of them! Everyone knew her dare would be something extreme. After a dramatic pause, she said, Kiss someone in this room!

The group gasped and giggled. Even Katie was taken aback. She didn’t think Jackie would ever ask her to do something like that considering her father was a pastor. At the same time, she was elated. She could have the that one moment with Jackie that she had only dreamed of.

Anyone? Katie asked unreservedly.

Yeah, anyone.

Katie got up, walked over to Jackie and said, How about you?

Okay, Jackie's smile implied something of a devilish nature.

Katie closed her eyes, leaned in, and gently kissed Jackie. She loved the feeling of Jackie's lips on hers. Jackie's lips were soft and warm. For one brief moment, Katie felt as if she were flying.

Jackie pulled away, and Katie opened her eyes. The girls in the group all giggled. Katie sat back at her place in the circle. Her perfect moment was over, but she would remember it forever.

She slowly way made her way back into the circle. Now, it was Katie's turn to ask. She turned to Stacey. Truth or dare?

Samantha came running up to her at her locker after first period. Katie! Katie!

Katie closed her locker and turned around to see her best friend looking very harried and concerned.

What's up Sam?

You know how you went to Stacey's last night?

Yeah?

Well, Jackie Thompson and all the popular girls are making fun of you!

What? What do you mean?

She's calling you a lesbo, saying you're a bad kisser… …all kinds of stuff!

Katie's face lost all color. Her special moment with the girl she liked had been nothing more than a prank to Jackie. She could feel her heart breaking. Her lip began to quiver, and tears began to roll down her round cheeks.

Katie, I'm sorry. Samantha said.

It's okay, Sam. She sniffled. It's not your fault. I should have known better, Katie looked at the floor.

What are you going to do?

What can I do? I can’t go up to her and tell her to stop. I can’t undo what happened. I think I just have to deal with it.

Sam looked at her sympathetically.

I’ll just have to remember the kiss and forget all this other stuff.

But Katie…

The bell rang, and Katie’s head perked back up. Quickly wiping away the tears, she said, Oh no! Oh my gosh! I nearly forgot! I was thinking about last the kiss all day. But, I have that science test today! I have to do well if I’m going to get into vet school.

Sam looked at her, confused. Are you going to be okay?

Katie shrugged her shoulders. I have to be. Let me go to study hall and then I have the test. I’ll see you at lunch.

Are you sure? I’m worried about you. Are you really gonna be okay?

Like I said, I have to be. I’ll see you later. Still wiping tears away, Katie ran down the hall.

Okay. Just be careful! Sam shouted to her.

I will! Katie kept running.

At lunch, Katie and Sam sat together, alone, while the rest of the school seemed to be staring at them.

Katie shook her head. I can't believe I did that.

I can't blame you. Sam reached across the table and touched her arm. She's the most beautiful girl in school! It was a great opportunity. I probably would have done the same.

I don't know, Sam. Katie peeled the crust off of her sandwich. What if my dad finds out?

He won't. Even if he did, he'll just think it's just stupid high school rumors.

Katie shook her head. He’s going to ask where and how it started. He says that all rumors stem from some kind of truth. He’ll know something happened. She dropped her head into her hands. Sam, what am I going to do for the rest of the year? People are going to be saying stuff for the next several months! I am in so much trouble!

Katie, it's our senior year. Just focus on college. Ignore them.

"That's easy for