Counting Stones: A Sticks and Stones Story: Number Eight

By Kimberly Vogel

Gabriella, Aubrey, and Jules are all juniors. They live on the same floor of an apartment complex, so they're often together. Despite that, they end up in different circles once they enter the Lemoyne high school. Right now the school play is at the center of attention, although midterms are right after it. The senior director, Pamela, hopes for a smooth production. With all of the different personalities involved it's going to be a tough thing, but not impossible. (Sticks and Stones Number 8)

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Feb 3, 2013
• ISBN: 9781300658672

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Counting Stones: A Sticks and Stones Story: Number Eight

Counting Stones: A Sticks and Stones Story: Number 8

Copyright

Copyright © 2012 by Kimberly Vogel.

ISBN eBook 978-1-300-65867-2

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 permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

For additional copies refer to:

http://www.lulu.com/shakkathi

Acknowledgements

I want to thank my family and friends for supporting me.

Without you, I don’t know where I would be.

Chapter 1

With the thrum of the sewing machine echoing in the small room, a tall teen worked a yard of cloth underneath the pounding needle. Her short black hair was held back by a similarly colored cloth. While her green eyes followed the seam, her thick framed glasses slid down her pale face. Watching the cloth run through, she turned the fabric over to continue the dressmaking.

Gabriella!

At the call, the teen lifted her head. The sound of the machine slowed to a dull buzz. Come in, she replied. The junior student turned around in her chair. Where she worked was a studio of sorts. A changing curtain hung in the back corner. Along another wall ran a closet filled with props and costumes.

Opening the door was another student. Smiling at her, the senior girl walked inside. How’s the work coming along?

Fine, Gabriella replied, pushing her glasses up her nose. It should be done before your party.

Oh good. I really need that dress. You make the best clothes.

I’m not that good. Ducking her head, Gabriella turned back to her work. But thanks for letting me get some extra cash this way.

As long as the teachers don’t stop us it’s fine. Laughing lightly, the senior waved her hand. I’ll be back at lunch.

Okay, I’ll see you then. Lifting her head, Gabriella watched the woman go. Then she turned her attention back to the dress. She worked on it until the warning bell rang. Thankfully she was already in her school uniform so she didn’t have to change. A green jacket was over a white shirt and a black skirt. A few students, like her, wore stockings along with their black shoes.

As a matter of courtesy, another of the senior students stopped by the room. This one was a familiar face around the studio. The tan skinned girl was also seventeen, but three inches shorter than the junior. Knocking on the door, she called out, Gabriella? It’s time to go.

Oh, thank you Pamela. Pulling away from her desk, Gabriella finished off her seam. How are things?

Fine, Pamela replied, watching her hang the dress on the rack. She tucked her smooth brown hair behind one ear. How are things with you?

Good. I should be done with all of the costumes before the winter play. Sighing softly, Gabriella walked towards the door. There’s still a lot to do, though. She picked up her books then joined her friend.

Ah, well I appreciate it. Smiling, Pamela walked at her side down the hallway. You make beautiful clothes. I hope you’ll go into fashion when you’re done here.

I don’t know what I’ll do. Shaking her head, Gabriella walked to her classroom. But I hope that you will continue with directing plays. The last three years have been great successes.

Mostly due to your costume skills, Pamela said, chuckling. She stood just outside of the room. You’d better get inside before you’re late.

You too. Bye Pamela. With a small wave, Gabriella hurried into the classroom just as the second bell rang. Sitting at the desk closest to the door, she buried herself in her books.

The teachers wore uniforms similar to the students. Only an iris pin either on the hat or lapel showed their different statuses. Staring at the class of around twenty students, the teacher cleared his throat. Hello class, for Literature class today we’re going to have a quiz. Put your books away and we’ll begin.

Sighing along with the groans of the other students, Gabriella took out a pencil and slid her books underneath her chair. Taking the paper from the teacher, she focused on the questions there. It all came fairly quickly to her, but the same couldn’t be said for other subjects.

The teacher, Mr. Cooper, sat at his desk as the students worked on their quiz. It was mostly essays, so he was sure that it would take most of the hour. Brushing his fingers through his dark brown hair, his blue