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By Ashlynn Elliott

Cora, Claire, Carla, and Carol are four cousins who have an everything but average life. Claire and Carla are sisters. Cora and Claire used to be BFF's but when Carla, who hates Cora, was born, that all changed. Claire likes Carla, but not Cora anymore. Cora has no friends except Carol, who is clueless about everything. When the four girls move into the same house, things begin to get out of the ordinary. Their parents begin acting weird. They get mysterious notes. Their hair is turning crazy colors. They keep getting sick. Will they ever solve the mystery?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ashlynn Elliott
• Release date: Jul 21, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310325960

Ashlynn Elliott

Hi, I'm Ashlynn Elliott, that weird middle school girl who is usually cooped up in a corner with a book....or a notebook and a pen. I started writing chapter books when I was in third grade, and I had a fun time with them. Each chapter would be a page long, and I'd staple them together and show them to my classmates. Of course, my writing has matured a lot since then. I joined Smashwords when I was in fifth grade, and for the longest while, I wrote mostly comedy books, usually about fairies or mermaids or talking dogs. If you read some of my older stories you can find them at the bottom of the page, but keep in mind that most of them are pretty silly, considering I wrote them when I was nine and ten.My newer books are more for middle schoolers and teens, like me. I write about things that are more realistic (sort of...) than I used to. But don't think I won't throw a little magic in here and there ;-)

Book preview

HighlightZ

By Ashlynn Elliott

Smashwords Edition

HighlightZ

Copyright 2014 by Ashlynn Elliott

Part 1

Chapter 1: Cora

The date was June 21, 2001. The sun was shining on the hot day in Florida. The forecast called for a high of 102 degrees and a low temperature of 94 degrees Fahrenheit. With a 0% chance of rain that continued throughout the whole summer, the drought was raging.

Ida and Scott Fox were sweating in the hospital, wondering when the baby would come. Ida was originally from Alaska, so she was used to cold weather! It was unbearable! Scott was from Florida, though, so he was fine.

A few hours later, Ida and Scott sat in the hospital bed, glancing at the new baby girl. She had short, sleek brown hair and dark blue eyes. Ida glared at the newborn baby. The little girl smiled. Ida laughed. She looks joyful to the core! So, the couple decided to name her Cora Isabelle Fox.

A year and a half later, Ida watched as the bright and bold little toddler pulled herself up onto their sofa. Cora put one hand down to grab her favorite rattle. And at that moment, Ida saw her chance! She pulled the baby’s other hand off the sofa, took Cora’s toy away and placed it on a low shelf, low enough for a baby to easily grab, but not low enough to grab for crawling. Although taunted by Ida, Cora was confident! She took a step forward, and then another. She was so involved she began to run! She grabbed the toy and smiled boldly! She had done it!

A short second after Cora and Ida’s accomplishment, there was a chime coming from Ida’s computer. Someone wanted to video chat with Ida. Ida rushed to the laptop and accepted the chat. Ida’s sister, Fallon, appeared on the screen.

Great News! Fallon cried. I’m having a baby too! She should be coming in about half a month!

I’ll be right over! Ida smiled in excitement. But there was only one problem. Fallon lived in Minnesota, and Scott, Ida, and Cora were on the southern tip of Florida.

That night, Ida and Scott packed their bags. Ida stuffed hats, mittens, coats, and boots into the bags. Scott packed short-sleeved shirts and jeans. Ida stuffed sweater-dresses, slippers, ear muffs, and wooly caps for Cora.

Scott laughed at his wife. You do know it is summer in Minnesota, right? It’s not on the other side of the world!

Ida sighed. You’re right, She emptied her and Cora’s bags. It’s just been so long since I’ve been up north! I guess I just forgot that they still experience summer. She began replacing the winter clothes with swimsuits, tank tops, shorts, and sandals.

Ida! Scott exclaimed. We’re not going to Hawaii either!

Ida watched and laughed as Scott re-emptied Ida and Cora’s bags. He put short sleeved shirts, small dresses, capris, and tennis shoes in the bags.

So, Scott sighed. When is the plane arriving?

Plane?! Ida laughed. "What plane?