There's NO Crying Allowed in Life: II Edition

By Andrea McAlpine

Could you have ever imagined that your life would go the way it did? What if you had to make a decision that would affect your life and the life of the one you love? Laci Crane, after marrying her high school sweetheart and bearing his children, soon discovers that letting go is sometimes the best remedy for the situation. Through unfathomable events and the loss of herself, she learns to move on. Will it be enough? Will she find the happiness she has always been searching for and has always seemed to be lacking?
Please join Laci on her path to over-coming life as the often forgotten wife of a very successful recording artist, her self-discovery, and finding the happiness she has always been searching for. Vivid imagery of a small Massachusetts town, Seattle, and Boston lay the scene for this incredible, heart wrenching love story and of what it means to really...find yourself. The odds are not always against you.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Andrea McAlpine
• Release date: Jun 28, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311692290

Andrea McAlpine

Andrea McAlpine was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She currently resides in Mesa, AZ with her two teenagers (Kenidee, 19 yrs old and Peyton, 15 yrs old).While living in Reno, NV between 2006 and 2012, Andrea came up with the idea for her first novel...'I was driving to work, listening to a song by one of my favorite artists, Heather Combs, when the idea came to me. The song dealt with letting go of the one you love, being more invested in a relationship than the one you're with, and doing things in the name of love that you wouldn't normally do. I had so many questions about this "couple" and I just HAD to write their story. It sounded so close to many of my own relationships and those of my friends.'Over the years, Andrea has won a handful awards for her writing and was featured in the Who's Who of American Writers publication. She grew up as a child with an over-active imagination and an often too-large for life love of writing and reading. She credits her late grandfather, Donald Zeeff, and her mother, Jana McAlpine, for exciting this passion of writing in her and allowing her to explore her imagination and talent freely as a child.For now, Andrea is enjoying her time with her kids, working as an Office Manager in Mesa, AZ, and writing a new book that she hopes to put out in Spring 2017. She'd love for you to follow her on Facebook, where she regularly gives away free copies of this book.

Book preview

There's NO Crying

Allowed in Life

By Andrea McAlpine

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2010 Andrea McAlpine

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 ebook 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 Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Ebook formatting by www.ebooklaunch.com

Dedicated To:

My sweet babies, Kenidee and Peyton

For the inspiration they provide to me.

For the time they gave me to finish this book.

For the many times they've made me laugh.

For the day they chose me as their mother.

~I Love You.

My sisters, Molly McAlpine & Jolene Dille.

For all the memories we created.

For all the times we stayed up past our bedtimes.

For all of the cups of coffee we drank in order to finish this beloved project.

For all of their hard work, dedication, and support.

~Thank you.

Special Thanks To:

Ed Runyon ~

for his keen eye at capturing just the right photo for the cover of my first novel. His photos say so much without saying anything at all. Beautiful! Ed is an avid engagement and wedding photographer in Western Michigan. For more information, please check out his websites...

www.dontblinkweddings.com

www.dontblinkmoments.com

Tina She Gassen ~

for her innate ability to depict nature's beauty in the world around her. The vibrant colors and emotion she fused into the additional photos in my book are both breathtaking and a testament to the unending paths life will take you down. Tina is a marvelous vocalist, whose voice sends shivers gliding down my spine every time she sings.

To follow her on Instagram...tinashe3

Or, follow the link to find her on Facebook...www.facebook.com/goddesshe

Table of Contents

Dedication Page

Special Thanks Page

1. A New Town And A Boy

2 .Taking The Next Step

3. Maybe This Isn't How It Should Be

4. Some Decisions Have Major Repercussions

5. Not All Good News Is Good To Hear

6. Keep On A Happy Face

7. Plans To Be Made

8. Returning Home

9. For The Sake Of Everyone Else

10. Labor Is A Pain Of Love

11. People Change

12. Out With The Old And In With The New

13. Sometimes The One You Love Is Happier Free

14. Life Outside Of Beau

15. For The Children Of Chicago

16. The Way Things Ought To Be

17. It's About Time

18. The Last Of The Tears

About the Author

1. A New Town And A Boy

Laci placed the last box into the back of the Penske moving truck. Her brother, Ethan, who was two years older than her seventeen years, pulled the door down and latched it shut.

Are we ready to pull up stakes, kids? Dallas Crane said, as he came from the house, locking its door behind him. He was a tall and ruggedly handsome man, with graying sandy blonde hair, tiny round glasses, and a goatee. Laci smiled at how much Ethan resembled their father, even without the glasses and the goatee.

She sighed heavily then, and rolled her eyes while kicking at the dirt. Ethan shrugged and pounded Laci's shoulder gently with his fist and smiled. They had lived in the same small, white ranch style home their whole lives. It was the home they were born in and the home their mother, Olivia, passed away in, twelve years ago.

Shortly after giving birth to Laci, Olivia's doctors discovered that she had a rare form of cancer. They told her she didn't have long to live, maybe only a few months. Five years later, a very tired Olivia passed away from heart failure related to her condition. Dallas and the children didn't attend the funeral and for two years following her death, Dallas suffered from terrible insomnia and severe depression. He hasn't been the same since.

Olivia Diana Crane was a tall, elegant looking woman with vivid blue eyes, high cheekbones, and long cocoa colored hair. She had an olive-toned complexion, deep dimples, and freckles peppering the bridge of her nose. She was always laughing, made pancakes every Sunday morning, and loved to read tasteful romance novels. She was their light.

Roughly a year ago, the construction company, Dallas worked for, approached him with an idea. They offered him a pay raise, a bigger home, and an enormous bonus if they moved to Wendell, Massachusetts. Wendell was a small town, with maybe 1200 residents and no high school. After much thought, their father decided to take the promotion. Today, the family was leaving everything familiar to them. Forever.

Guys, Dallas said, breathlessly. Come on. Massachusetts won't be so bad, he said slightly irritated, as he crossed the yard toward Laci and Ethan. You'll make some friends, Lace. And Ethan, you'll be starting at the community college in Greenfield.

It'll be great dad, Ethan said, giving a slight tap to his dad's right shoulder and lifted a half smile from the corner of his mouth. Ethan then sauntered to his gold pick-up truck and climbed in.

Dallas smiled at Laci. She rolled her eyes once again and moved away to hop in the passenger side of the moving truck. Dallas turned his face to the sky. The heavy autumn clouds were rolling in; a storm was coming. Please watch over them, Olivia. Our kids need us both and this is going to be a long road for them...without you. He lingered there solemnly, before a blast of the moving truck horn sounded. See you in Massachusetts, Liv.

They left Chula Vista, California, driving all day and sleeping all night. They ate in tiny diners; the mom-and-pop kind of places with faded wallpaper, poorly sanitized bathrooms, and that musty antique scent that seems to hang thick in the air. They fought traffic through the mountains and tried to stay focused during dull boring moments of empty, drab scenery. They fixed a flat tire on Ethan's truck, in the hot sun along side the highway. And stopped at every little antique store along the way.

Laci was asleep against the window when they pulled onto the quiet street that housed their new home. The road was long and winding with deep dips. Over the road, old trees hovered full of leaves on wide canopies that had begun to change color; they swayed gently in the brisk breeze. Little purple wild flowers danced along the side of the road as their trucks passed by and the air had a fresh, grassy scent to it.

Laci stirred in her seat as Dallas pulled up the circular driveway. Wake up princess. We're here. He tapped on the top of her thigh with great excitement.

Laci opened her eyes to see a pale yellow, two-story, saltbox style home with a two-stall garage attached. Tall windows with black shutters graced the entire home and giant white pillars stood abruptly on the wide front porch. The circular driveway was laid with burnt-sienna colored bricks and lined with red rosebushes. A vast yard lay behind the house and was accompanied by a barn, horse stables, and a fenced-in riding enclosure.

A crescent shaped pond sat glimmering in the evening sun; the weeping willow trees played in the whispering breeze and dragonflies swooped and ducked, in and out of the tall evergreen grasses that lined the rim. It was a vision even Laci couldn't dislike. She never thought she could imagine a more beautiful place, even in her dreams.

Dad, she said sitting up straight. It's so, so gorgeous. She looked at every inch of this new place with great curiosity and a sparkle in her eye.

They parked, unloaded Laci's rust bucket of a vehicle from the tow trailer, and began to un-pack the Penske truck. The evening passed by quickly, as hauling in the furniture seemed to be one of the most time-consuming activities Laci had ever taken part in. They straightened the furniture and set out many of their knick-knacks and memories. Finally, the three of them set up the beds and dressed them in their cotton sheets. Around midnight, the Crane house was still and silent.

The following morning, Dallas started breakfast as Ethan banged loudly on Laci's bedroom door. Rise and shine, butt-breath. You're gonna be late.

Laci rolled over and rubbed her eyes. The pink drapes, which she despised and would be taking down the minute she found the time, let a slight sliver of sun shine through. Lace. Eth. Breakfast! Dallas shouted up the stairs. Laci blurted out a loaded sigh and shut her eyes again.

A few moments later, she managed to roll out of bed and step into the shower. When she finished, Laci climbed out and slid her thin hand silkily across the foggy mirror. Here goes nothin', she grumbled to herself.

She consumed her worrisome mind with pinning the sides of her wet, curly hair back into a barrette, and dabbing on a little make-up. A favorite phrase of her mothers ran through her mind every time she put make-up on, 'Just enough to enhance the beauty that you already possess'.

She looked out the window into the rolling backyard and closed her eyes. A tear fell. I need you Mom. I wish you were here. I hate meetin' new people.

Laci Jean Crane!

Comin' dad, Laci shouted at the closed bathroom door. I'm comin', she whispered to her reflection in the mirror. To say the least, Laci was apprehensive about her first day at a new school. New people, new places, and assignments that she had most likely already completed the year before did not excite her or quicken her movements. She soon finished up in the bathroom, ran down to the kitchen, and sat at the table to eat breakfast.

So, are you sure you can find your way to the school? It's a bit of a drive to Turner Falls, Dallas asked Laci.

Dad! We've gone over the directions like a thousand times already. I'm almost eighteen...have a little faith in me. Please. At that, Dallas dropped the subject and they ate in silence.

Dallas did have complete faith and trust in Laci and knew that she was more grown-up than most girls her age, but it was still his duty to play the father role and to take care of his baby girl.

Ethan finished his breakfast and placed his dishes into the sink, Alright Dad, I'll be back after I finish signin' up for classes. I was gonna go past the hardware store and the grocery store to see if they need anyone part-time, he said as he gathered up a bundle of papers he needed for school. Call if you need me to grab anything for dinner, Ethan offered, as he walked out the garage door through the kitchen. Have a good day freak, he blurted out over his shoulder to Laci.

Bye son. Be careful.

Bye dofus, Laci razzed, before shoving cereal into her mouth.

You'd better get going too, missy-miss, Dallas said with a smile, as comforting as he could muster.

Dallas stood from the table, gathered up his plate and plunked it into the sink. Laci did the same. Passing by her side, Dallas leaned in and kissed her forehead. Have a good day my girl. She smiled and walked to the front door. Bravery didn't come easy to Laci.

She scooped up her backpack and went out to her car. The sprinkling rain fell softly against her pale face. She climbed in and pulled out her directions to the school. They were easy to follow and she arrived in roughly forty minutes, where upon arrival, she found the parking lot already full.

Of course it's packed. What a day this is going to be, Laci grumbled. She circled the lot for several minutes before finding a place; it was half way between the front door and the football fields.

Students were talking and walking into the school. It was a dauntingly huge red, brick building with three floors and an American flag out front; today was Laci's first day as a senior in high school. She entered the enormous building to find the students hustling through the halls. She froze. Her feet wouldn't move.

Students pushed past her. A teacher, in the distance, shouted to a young boy running full speed down the hall. A loud bell chimed out and the clutter of students grew rapidly. Just when she thought she might be able to get her feet to move, someone tapped her on her shoulder.

Excuse me, miss, said a quiet and lovely voice of an elderly woman.

Laci turned to look over her shoulder. Standing behind her was a tender, graying woman of about sixty-five years old. Her hands were folded tightly in front of her. She wore a gray tweed, shin length, skirt and high collared, cream blouse. Umm...I was, Laci stuttered.

You must be our new student. It's Laci Crane, right? She said offering the warmest smile.

Yes...I'm Laci, she said shifting her bag to her left shoulder.

Good then. Please come with me. She turned away from Laci, on the ball of her heel, and walked toward a big orange door that hung against a bare gray wall. Laci followed as instructed. My name is Ms. Gunther. I am the principle here. I think you will find Turner Falls High School a great place to receive a wonderful education, make good friends, and have many activities to get involved in.

She tugged on the silver door handle and held it open for Laci. Laci entered and walked to the receptionist desk, resting her hands on the tall counter top. A stout woman, behind the desk, stood and greeted Laci with rosy cheeks and a wide grin; her hair was as orange as carrots.

Laci, this is Ms. Kreeger. She will be glad to provide you with your class schedule and a map. I have a few things to take care of, but if you have any questions please come see Ms. Kreeger or myself. You will be ok dear, she said with a pat to the top of Laci's resting hands. Then, Ms. Gunther stepped around Laci and through an office door, closing it behind her. Laci smiled shyly at the plump woman.

Ms. Kreeger did, indeed, hand her a class schedule and a map. You'll be fine sweetie. The kids are nice and you'll adapt to the routine in no time at all.

Thank you. Laci gathered the papers and with tight lips and no expression on her face, she left the office.

She walked through the hallway, glancing at the room numbers. The halls were silent now, so silent that you could hear the clock ticking and the water dripping in the drinking fountain. She soon came to room 135...Honors Chemistry II. Laci grabbed the handle and gave a slight tug; the door stuck and made a very rude sound as she pulled it open.

Every student glanced in her direction and then quickly went back to their lab assignment; all but one that is. A stunning boy near the back of the class watched her. Focused on her. His piercing green eyes lingered on her. Laci quickly looked away, toward the teacher, who had been holding out his hand for an unknown amount of time. He rudely snapped his fingers at her.

Laci handed him her schedule. Greetings, Miss Crane. He signed his name to the crisp paper and handed it back to her. You will find your textbook at your seat. He motioned to the back of the room toward the gruesomely handsome boy who still held his gaze on her; it was the only open seat in the class.

She remained in her stance. Miss Crane. Miss Crane. Laci looked back at the teacher, Mr. Lewis. Please...go take your seat. You have a lab to start and finish before the end of class. Laci starred blankly at Mr. Lewis. Go, go, he said motioning again toward the boy and the open seat.

Laci let out a muffled sigh of defeat and tromped back to the desk with the boy. She plopped her backpack to the floor and gently sat in her seat. Resting her round face onto the palm of her closed fist, she used her chestnut hair as a veil between her and the strange boy. Slowly, Laci flipped open the textbook and found the page where the lab started.

She could hear the very attractive, yet odd boy next to her, breath heavily and sigh wildly, as he attempted to work through his lab. Laci tried her hardest to ignore him by submerging herself completely into the lab assignment. Time passed by quickly, as she had already done this lab last year. Figures, she thought. Finally, the second period bell rang loudly, startling her. She closed her book, shoved it into her backpack, and slung the bag onto her left shoulder.

Standing somewhat in the doorway, she picked the schedule from her pocket and read that her second period class was...Recreational Sports. She didn't do sports. The word sport was not even in her dictionary.

Laci breathed in deeply, puffed up her cheeks to blow out the contained air.

Um...you know, you might wanna get moving. You're gonna get run over just standin' here, a boy's voice spoke softly into Laci's ear. It was caring and tender and made Laci's stomach flutter uncontrollably.

She spun around and came face-to-face with the boy with the intense stare. Without thinking, she blew the hot air from her fine lips, into his lovely face. Being embarrassed by her action, she grew warm and her cheeks became flushed. I...I hate PE class.

Oh, he let out a chuckle and his emerald green eyes sparkled. Well, you should move because you'll get run over, he said again, as he rested his large hand on the small of her back. Laci arched away from his innocent caress. Feeling her movement, he pulled his hand away with a jerk.

Suddenly noticing the uncomfortable feeling between them, she spoke, I'm Laci. A half smile graced her adoring face. Oh, how she wanted him to touch that sensitive space again.

I'm Beau, he said, running his hand through his golden hair. Let's get you to that PE class. He strolled away and Laci followed, trying to match his steps and speed.

At the end of the hall a row of enormous windows overlooked the freshly groomed baseball fields. A dimly lit stairwell led down to the basement. A sign, with an arrow on it, hung on the wall; it read Health & Fitness Class, Gym, and Pool. Downstairs. The bell sounded and doors shut, one by one. Beau looked over his shoulder at her, winked, and then descended the steps.

They reached the gymnasium doors and entered. Basketball hoops were folded up into the ceiling and a climbing rope hung from the rafters. Mr. Wells? Beau said as they approached the teacher. This is Laci. She has your class this period.

Morning Miss Crane. I have been holding the class until you arrived. He said firmly clutching his clipboard. He was a tall, muscular man with a harsh looking face; he didn't smile. His gym uniform clung snuggly to his body and a whistle and stopwatch hung around his neck.

I'm sorry to hold up the class. I couldn't find the gym, sir.

Thank you Mr. Blake. You may go dress for class. Laci, let's get you some gym clothes. As they walked toward a set of orange lockers, in the hallway between the changing rooms, Laci mulled over the idea of the good-looking boy being in her gym class. She was terribly uncoordinated and would undoubtedly end up humiliating herself beyond belief in front of him.

Mr. Wells rummaged through navy blue shirts and pulled one from the stack. He did the same with a stack of gray shorts. Handing them to Laci, he pointed toward the women's dressing room. Leaving her there, he blew his whistle to begin the class. Students clamored to their spots on the floor, by the rope.

Laci entered the changing room and went to a stall. She was a shy girl and couldn't imagine changing and showering in front of a bunch of strange and rude girls. With her gym uniform now on, she found an empty locker in the middle of a row and stuffed her things deep inside it. She stood sluggishly in front of the locker with her head down. The thought of climbing the rope made her stomach twist and writhe in pain.

Laci? A sweet voice questioned.

Laci looked up and saw a tall, redheaded, freckle faced girl standing before her. Yeah?

Mr. Wells asked me to come get you.

Oh...I'm sorry.

PE class isn't so bad. Mr. Wells is cool. Come on, you can sit with my best friend, Beth, and me. We hate PE class too. She giggled.

They walked side by side to the group of kids. Laci was relieved to find the students sitting with their backs to them. The red-headed girl, whose name Laci couldn't remember, sat down next to an Asian girl with very short, wild, black hair. Laci sat next to the redhead. The two girls began whispering and pointing at the scrawny kid who was currently dangling helplessly from the rope. Laci brought her knees up to her chin and hugged them tightly to her chest.

Throughout the class period, Beau kept looking back at Laci; she could only smile at him. When it was the handsome boys' turn to climb the rope, he climbed it with tremendous ease and skill, in a matter of seconds. Laci thought about how attractive and rather muscular he was, as she noticed his toned biceps through his gym shirt.

Mr. Wells had gone through all of the students, except for her, when the bell rang. The redhead and her friend stood up, but didn't move. Hey Lace, are you comin'?

Startled and shy, Laci looked up at them. They were smiling graciously at her. Laci was stunned, because she had no friends in her old school. The redhead held out her hand to Laci. Laci grabbed it and the redhead pulled her up. Beth and I don't bite. She slid her arm through Laci's and the three of them walked into the changing room together.

I hate being the new kid. I've never been the new kid. Laci said feeling comfortable enough with the two, somewhat friendly girls.

Once inside the aqua tiled room, which smelled like sweaty socks and fruity shampoo, Beth pulled her shirt off. That's how Nina and I met actually. She tossed the shirt into her locker and pulled out a hot pink skirt. Nina moved here two weeks before I did, which was...um...three years ago. We were the new kids together.

Yeah...we know exactly how ya feel, Nina mentioned kindly, as she sat down to put on her bright yellow chucks. Laci noticed that they were both eccentric dressers and very much alike. Laci wasn't an eccentric dresser, however, and was rather plain with her black skinny jeans and form fitting cadet blue thermal shirt.

I've always lived in the same house I was born in. I've known the same kids my whole life. I feel very outta place not knowin' anyone. Laci told them while fussing with her gym shirt.

Why don't you take your things into that stall and change? We'll wait for you, Nina said sweetly. Laci hadn't gotten undressed at all and they were both ready to head off to their next class. She smiled at Nina in appreciation and moved quickly through the sea of girls to change.

She's a bit strange, Beth said in an evil quietness.

I like her. She'll come around soon enough.

Laci came out of the stall, threw her PE clothes into the locker, and pulled out her black backpack. She quickly laced up her classic low top converse shoes. The three girls walked through the door of the locker room and into the strange and bright lights of the gym.

Beau was leaning against the wall, near the drinking fountain, talking to another boy as the girls passed by. Hey! New girl! he spoke abruptly from behind Nina, Beth, and Laci.

Laci glanced sheepishly at him.

Hi Beau, both Nina and Beth said in a combined, lingering and sing-songy tone.

Hi Nina. Hi Beth. How are you ladies today? he answered back in a deluded tone. Joining the group, Beau and the girls walked up to the first floor.

Well, Beth and I have to get to our next class, but we'll see you in the lunch room. Nina smiled. She grabbed Beth's hand and with a comforting smile to Laci, the pair galloped away.

They're nice girls, but they stick to each other like glue. They never hang out with anyone, other than each other, Beau stated distastefully, as he and Laci watched them leave. Well, I have to get to class, too. Beau turned to face Laci; she felt the flutter in her stomach return the minute their eyes met.

Beau made her nervous, but calm all at the same time. Her knees felt weak when he was around and her mind was full with thoughts of his breath on the nape of her neck and the sound of his voice lingering in her ears.

Oh...ok. Well, have a good class, Laci said disappointedly. He smiled and walked down the hall. I sounded like an idiot and desperate, she scolded herself. She turned and continued on to her third period class...Yearbook.

The teacher, Mrs. Hepner, was very kind and funny. She was also the schools art teacher, so she had a great imagination, as well. She made jokes with the students and wandered through the desks, making sure no one needed help. Around eleven-thirty, the bell rang and the kids fled the art room faster than they had moved the entire day.

Laci was completing a picture crop, as Mrs. Heppner approached her desk. How do you like TFHS? she asked. Mrs. Heppner was a short, plump woman with baggy, colorful clothes and wild gray hair.

Mmm...its ok I guess, Laci said, finishing with the picture.

Where did you move from? She asked taking a seat beside Laci.

California.

Wow! What a change for you? Mrs. Heppner smiled while intently watching Laci crop. I like your work, she commented, leaning in closer to the picture, You've done this before?

I was the yearbook editor last year. Laci made the last cut, Well, I met some girls earlier and I bet they're waiting for me in the cafeteria. I better go.

Laci put the materials away and gave the cropped picture to Mrs. Hepner. I'm looking for a yearbook editor. Are you interested?

Laci smiled widely, Yes, very. Laci knew she would adore this teacher. Beaming from ear to ear, she lifted her backpack onto her shoulder, Thank you so much.

She nodded to Mrs. Hepner, and started for the cafeteria. Laci was excited to have the job, because it meant that the extra free time of being the new kid would now be soaked up by the many tasks at hand.

Students were shuffling things in and out of their lockers. Girls filed in and out of the bathroom. Four guys noisily played hacky-sack in the hallway. A teacher, Laci didn't know, strolled out of the office with an apple and a notepad in her hand. And there, leaning against the doorframe of the cafeteria, was the most handsome guy Laci had met in her life, Beau Blake.

Even though she didn't know much about him and had just met him, she felt as though she had known him forever. Her heart raced faster as she noticed that his impatient, sad face grew brighter and softer with each step she took and his limp leaning frame against the door, quickly turned into an upright stance. His eyes told Laci that he seemed to notice only her.

Hi. I was beginning to worry about you, he said softly to her. They stood awkwardly in the doorway. Laci could feel her face grow hot; these feelings were a very new thing for her. Are you alright?

I just feel a bit light-headed is all, she uttered, feeling slightly off balance; she grasped onto the sleeve of his sweatshirt to steady herself.

You're terribly pale. Let's go sit down. I'll get you some orange juice maybe. He lifted her backpack off from her shoulder and with a slight hesitation Beau slid his arm across her lower back. Oh my goodness he smells wonderful, she thought to herself. She sank deep into his side and took full breaths. Behind them, she could hear hurrying feet.

Laci? Laci? Are you ok? Nina asked. Getting no response, she turned to Beau, What happened to her?

Beau lowered her onto the seat, at a table, and set her bag down. I don't know. She was fine and all of the sudden she got as white as snow. I'll be right back. Maybe she needs something to drink or some sugar. He left the table with a worried look on his face.

Laci? Hello? Beth asked waiving her hand in front of Laci's eyes.

I...I...didn't have much for breakfast, Laci managed to say. Laci knew that it was really the way Beau made her feel, but she would die before telling Nina or Beth that. The truth was, she adored him and couldn't wait to know him so much better.

Beau came walking back to the table with juice in his hand; a pleasant looking, burley guy was walking next to him and they were chatting. The two precariously approached the table. Beau handed Laci the juice and smiled warmly at her; she took a few sips.

Better? he asked sympathetically and Laci nodded her head. Being content with her reaction, he continued, Laci, this is my buddy, Clint. We're on the football team together.

Clint gave a slight wave of his hand as a gesture of greeting her. We're in a band together, too.

Really! What kind of music? Laci asked with genuine interest. Beau, Nina, and Beth went to get their lunches.

Clint explained that they played a cross between indie-rock and heavy metal with soft vocals; Laci chuckled. The group soon came back from the lunch line. Beau, being the caring and sensitive guy he seemed to be, brought Laci a lunch as well. The group ate their lunches while laughing and chatting. They talked about things like their class schedules, California and the weather in Massachusetts compared to California, until the bell rang.

Beth and Nina said their goodbyes and left for their next class. Clint did the same. Beau and Laci stood awkwardly at the cafeteria doors again. It was hard for Laci to make eye contact with Beau. He is enchanting, she thought to herself.

Suddenly he spoke. I guess I'll see you after school, since we have no more classes together today. He grinned.

K, Laci said, with a dreamy tone in her voice.

They separated and walked in opposite directions. Realizing that she had no idea what her next class was, Laci reached into her pocket for her schedule; the corner of it was now ripped and missing. Opening it the best she could, Laci read off her fourth period class...Honors 20th Century Literature.

Finally, a class that I like, she said out loud to herself. She darted off toward the stairs that led up to the third floor. Taking the steps by twos, Laci reached the top and quickly found room 304. She entered and found a seat in the front