A Healthier Version of Me: The Destiny Clark Saga, #7

By Cindy Ray Hale

She broke his heart. Will he ever forgive her?

 

My school came out with a scary new policy, and now I might have to leave the academy.

It's the only school my family's ever known, and we're not sure what to do.

It feels like my life is falling apart. 

On top of that, I've messed everything up with Preston, and now I'm sure he'll never forgive me. 

I'm worried I've lost his friendship forever. 

But after what I've done, I probably deserve it. 

The worst part is, I know I've deeply hurt him, and I don't know how to make it better. 

But now Isaac is back in my life, and he's being completely supportive and awesome. 

I think my parents might actually like him now. 

But I can't stop thinking about what I've done to Preston. 

A Healthier Version of Me is the seventh book in a nine-book rewrite of a contemporary sweet romance series called The Destiny Trilogy. In this series you can expect flirting, blushing, and kisses in the woods, but you won't find any swearing, nudity, or sex.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cindy Ray Hale
• Release date: Dec 18, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393807971

Cindy Ray Hale

Cindy Ray Hale loves writing Young Adult Contemporary Romance and Clean Romance. She was born and raised in the hills of Tennessee and has moved all over the United States. She's finally settled down in a small town in the mountains of western Virginia. Want to be the first to know about a sale or a new release for Cindy's books? Visit www.cindyrayhale.com to join her newsletter or follow @CindyRayHale on Twitter.

Book preview

1

Isaac

Even though our relationship had caused a lot of trouble, every second I’d spent with Destiny had been worth it. She sat across from me in my truck, her brown hair falling in curls around her shoulders. I flinched, remembering the way she’d been treated tonight at the banquet, and I felt responsible. But I would do anything to make it right.

You really are beautiful. You know that, right?

Destiny smiled and leaned across the empty space between us. I kissed her soft lips and my feelings for her overwhelmed me.

Fury raged as I thought about the unfairness of what my dad and our school had done to plot against Destiny and her family.

What is it? Destiny said, pulling away from me.

I can’t stop thinking about the Doctrinal Statement. It’s seriously so messed up.

I know, Destiny said in a quiet voice. I’m upset, too.

I looked over at her and saw the worry on her face. I tucked a curl behind her ear. I’m sorry this is happening.

It’s not your fault, she said. I know you told Michael that you felt responsible, but you can’t take the blame for what other people decided to do.

I let out a puff of air. Do you mind if I do something? I asked.

What is it?

Can I come inside and talk to your parents? Even though the school board chose to do what they did, I was still involved. I should be the one to explain and apologize in person.

Of course you can, she said. I think that’s a good idea.

Okay. Are you ready to go inside? I asked.

She nodded.

We walked up the sidewalk to her family’s front door. Neither of us spoke, each of us lost in our own thoughts.

As we rounded the bend in the sidewalk, Destiny took in a sharp breath and froze in place, mouth dropped open.

I followed her gaze to the front porch to see her older brother Michael, embracing Megan, the girl he’d brought to the Valentine’s Banquet. Their noses touched, and he leaned in to kiss her. I hadn’t realized they were anything more than friends, and it definitely seemed to be a shock to Destiny.

I chuckled to myself. Well, wasn’t this awkward?

What do we do? Destiny hissed, her eyes wide.

I gave a loud cough, and Megan and Michael sprung apart. Hey, guys, I called out, unable to keep a grin off my face as we approached.

Michael gaped at me, and Megan fiddled with the corsage around her wrist.

Don’t mind us, I said.

They parted to allow Destiny and me to pass to the front door. She opened the door, leaving Michael and Megan on the porch behind us.

As I reached to close the door, Michael said, Wait, we’re coming inside, too.

Mom? Destiny called. Dad? Her parents emerged from the kitchen.

I looked them levelly in the eyes. We need to talk with you.

Mrs. Clark’s brow furrowed with worry. Is everything okay? She led us into the formal living room. Destiny told me it was where they took her when they needed to have a serious, private conversation with one of their kids.

I sat next to Destiny on the couch, and Michael and Megan squeezed in next to us, with the girls sitting side-by-side in the middle. Mr. and Mrs. Clark took the two armchairs facing us. I could see how this might be intimidating for Destiny. It felt like an interrogation set up. I took a deep breath before beginning. Tonight, at the banquet Will Green presented me with a document that all Bethel students will be required to sign if they want to remain at the school.

Mr. Clark’s eyes held mine with a steadiness I refused to shrink back from. What kind of document? he asked.

It was a Doctrinal Statement. I pushed forward, praying that they wouldn’t throw me out of their house after they heard what I was about to explain. I don’t have a copy of it with me, but basically, it’s a list of everything we believe at Bethel.

Go on, Mr. Clark said, his eyes darkening.

I straightened my back and pushed on with the explanation. It talks about the Trinity and the belief that the Bible is the only Word of God.

What? Mrs. Clark asked in a strangled voice.

And, I said, pressing my lips together for a second before going on. It lists all the books that aren’t considered to be the Word of God. I plowed forward with the list, Including the Quran, the writings of Ellen G. White, and the Book of Mormon.

Mrs. Clark covered her mouth with both hands. Michael got up and knelt beside her chair, placing a hand of comfort on her back. Why? she choked. I don’t understand.

It’s because of us, Destiny said. I think this is Dr. Robinson’s way of punishing me for dating Isaac.

Michael shook his head. I don’t think it’s that. I think he’s trying to protect the student body from getting converted to another religion.

I was the one who told my dad that I’d been going to church with Destiny. We’ve set a precedent, and now we’ve ruined it for everyone.

You haven’t ruined anything, Mr. Clark said, surprising me. It’s their choice to write this Doctrinal Statement. It sounds like your dad let his emotions get control of him again. He isn’t thinking straight. I’ve known your dad for years. We’ll get this fixed.

Ben, Destiny’s mom said. We can get your parents involved, too. They’ve been members of Bethel since before the Robinsons.

I’m not so sure it will be that easy, I said, shaking my head. Will said the school board has been putting together the Doctrinal Statement all year.

Do you know when they plan to implement it? Mrs. Clark asked.

I’m not sure. My guess would be at the beginning of next year.

Does this mean that you’re going to stop going to church with Destiny? Megan asked.

I leaned past Destiny to meet Megan’s eye. Nope. I’ll be there tomorrow morning. I nudged Destiny. Be sure to save a seat for me.

Of course, I will, Destiny said.

Mrs. Clark took in our exchange. Isaac, I’ve misjudged you. You really are an incredibly good young man. It’s been a pleasure to get to know you better.

Thank you. I appreciate that. My eyes flicked over to Destiny’s dad. His face was pensive and otherwise unreadable.

Megan stood. I should probably get home.

Michael stood from his kneeling position next to his mom. Thanks for coming over with me.

Destiny cocked her head to the side. Why did you come over, Megan?

Michael was upset about the Doctrinal Statement, and he asked me to come with him to tell your parents.

This all my fault, Destiny said.

Will everyone quit blaming themselves? Megan said. You guys are going to get through this. Anyway, would it be the worst thing in the world for you to go to school with me at Acorn Creek High next year?

Destiny shrugged. Bethel’s the only school I’ve ever known. It’s like home, you know?

Well, talk later, Megan said. Ready to go, Michael?

I stood, straightening my tux jacket. I should let you guys get back to your night.

Destiny followed me to the front door, and after I’d stepped over the threshold, I turned back around to see her leaning her cheek against the open door. Although her makeup had worn off a bit and shadows of circles sat under her eyes, she still looked radiant.

How had I gotten so lucky? If her parents weren’t sitting right there, watching everything she was doing, I’d take her in my arms and show her every emotion I felt at that moment. She closed the door with a look of longing on her face, which only made me ache to wrap her in my arms even more.

As I drove home, the night played through my mind like a bad dream. Aspen telling my dad that Destiny was pregnant with my child. Destiny having to go through the embarrassment of taking a pregnancy test. The look of horror and guilt on Hannah’s face when she found out that Destiny had been taking the blame for weeks to protect Hannah’s secret. Green gloating in our faces as he showed us the Doctrinal Statement. Why did he have to be such a self-righteous punk all the time? The dude had a serious issue, and I was sick of it.

And Aspen’s snotty attitude was too much to take. What if Aspen was right, and I had gotten Destiny pregnant? How would it be okay for her to treat Destiny like that? Would she treat Hannah the same way if she found out the truth about her pregnancy? How could I have dated Aspen for so long without seeing this side of her? The entire time we’d dated, she’d been as sweet as pie. But now it was like she’d been eaten up by jealousy, and it had turned her into this angry person who I couldn’t stand to be around.

It wasn’t like Dad was any better. How could he treat Destiny like she had somehow tarnished our family name? Why couldn’t he just be kind and loving? I got it that he didn’t want me to go to hell or be sucked into Destiny’s religion, but did that mean he had to be straight up rude and judgmental? Coming out with the Doctrinal Statement was taking it too far. It was one thing for him to ground me or tell me that I couldn’t date Destiny, but it was another thing entirely for him to punish her entire family.

I pulled my truck into the driveway and stalked into the house. I found Dad sitting on the couch in the front room, reading the paper in his bathrobe. Just the sight of him reminded me of how much he’d hurt Destiny. I slammed the door behind me.

So, I heard about the Doctrinal Statement, I said, acid dripping from my words. When were you planning to tell me about that?

Dad folded his paper and looked