Life at ATS

By Audrey Pearson

About the Book
Life at ATS focuses on a teenage girl who is given the opportunity of new life, and what she chooses to do with her newfound freedom. Author Audrey Pearson wrote this book so that people could join in on the adventures that her characters go on.

About the Author
Aside from loving to write fiction, Audrey Pearson enjoys reading, watching action movies, and sometimes coloring. She is interested in starting martial arts, and comes from a big family.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dorrance Publishing Company
• Release date: Mar 1, 2023
• ISBN: 9798886045680

Book preview

Summary of book

Harper McCan’s life is already hard enough with an abusive mother, the responsibility of taking care of her sister, and always getting into fights. But it quickly goes from hard to interesting after she gets sent to a weird school that seems to oddly suit who she really is.

Five classes, a shooting range, and helping out an annoying guy who can’t seem to keep Harper out of his arms. Will Harper want to escape this school or stay and turn into something that will change her chance of ever living a normal life?

Thank you!

Thank you, Family, for all of your wonderful ideas, which helped me create my own ideas. Sorry I didn’t use a lot of yours, but I have to come up with some of my own. I did use a few, and I would love for my readers to know that this book wouldn’t be the same without you guys. Special thanks to my dad, Ben Pearson. For getting me my iPad and my keyboard case that I have used for this. And also thank you for all the help you gave me for my book. And special thanks to Ashley McKnight, you listened to me read you my books all the time. Even if you don’t feel like listening to this book, you have. I love you all!

My Awesome Family:

Ben Pearson

Beau Pearson

Chad McKnight

Amyee McKnight

Brody McKnight

Ashley McKnight

Zachary McKnight

Isaac Pearson

Sophia Pearson

Chapter 1

More Trouble

Harper Bree McCan! my mom yelled from the doorway.

Looks like your mommy’s calling you, Nora said.

I had already kicked and punched her enough. So, I let her go. Nora was bending over, coughing, with her hands on her neck. We locked eyes and stared at each other for a whole minute before she said something.

You proved me wrong, McCan.

I told you I could kick your ass. Don’t ever touch my sister again.

I started walking up the stairs, and Nora left with nothing else to say. My mom stopped me at the top of the stairs.

Want to tell me what that was about?

Just another fight.

Just another fight?

I pushed past her and walked inside.

Just another fight. Harper, that’s your third one this week.

I’m surprised you even keep track. I grabbed a bottle of water and took a drink.

You gotta stop it with these fights. One day you’re gonna test a guy and then get the shit beat out of you.

I only fight girls, and for the record, I never start them.

Oh really? So tell me again, what started this fight? She folded her arms and waited for an answer.

She was hitting Reese in the hallway today, I don’t know why, but Reese is just a freshman, and she’s my sister.

She didn’t tell me anything when she got home.

That’s because she doesn’t like bringing those things back to her head.

Okay, but what about the other two fights this week?

The first one on Monday, a girl was disrespecting me, and I did ignore her first, but then she went too far. And the second one I got in an argument. I tried to ignore them, but when it was just going on and on. It went too far, so then we got to hitting.

So, both were because of stupid little arguments?

And they were disrespecting me, which I was not just going to take. So, I showed them not to talk to me like that again.

Oh God, you are a fighter, and I don’t know how to fix that.

So don’t. At least I’ll be able to take care of myself when I’m in trouble.

Okay, I gotta go. I’ll be back tomorrow morning.

Where are you going?

Jack’s. We have work to do and won’t be done till late. Bye, hon.

Bye. I watched her walk out the front door, walk right out of my life.

There’s a lot of things I hate about my mom. She’s had five boyfriends since my dad left. Disgusting, right? Jack is her sixth. They’ve been dating for about a year now. I’ve met him, and he’s a real loser. Just like all the guys my mom has dated. And she goes over to Jack’s all the time, leaving me to be Reese’s second mom. Reese is my younger sister. Because my mom isn’t really a mother, I’m basically Reese’s mother.

The real reason I get into fights is because of my dad. We would practice on each other all the time, and hand-to-hand combat was how my dad trained me. I’ve learned a thing or two from him. He was the best teacher. But when he left me and Reese two years ago, I started getting in fights with girls at school. I would take my anger out on them, but like I told my mom, I never start them. I just snap quickly and then it turns into a full-on fist fight.

I went to go check on Reese. Knock, knock. How’s my favorite girl in the whole world? I said, sitting on her bed.

Better, I saw you kick Nora’s ass in front of the house. She smiled.

 Oh yeah? I laughed.

Yeah, thanks.

I’m always here for you.

Unlike Mom. She frowned.

About that, she went to Jack’s again and won’t be back till tomorrow.

Sick. Why can’t we just live with Dad?

I don’t know. We just can’t.

You’re a better mom than our mom and you’re in high school.

Yeah, well, you know what?

What?

Grab all your bedding, because we’re having a movie night in my room.

Really?!

Yeah, and you can choose.

Yes! Reese grabbed a bunch of stuff and headed down the hallway into my room. I smiled and then went into the kitchen. I boiled some water, then dumped it into two Cup of Noodles.

Walking back to my room I saw Reese sitting on my bed looking through Netflix.

 Here. I handed her a Cup of Noodle.

Thanks, what should we watch?

Whatever you want. She put on Alexa and Katie, our favorite. We had already seen it twice, but we never got tired of it.

Chapter 2

Not Again

I woke up to glass breaking. I looked at the time. It was one a.m. Reese was asleep next to me. I got out of bed and grabbed my bat that I kept hidden in my closet. Walking out into the hallway I saw my mom and Jack kissing on the couch. He started reaching for the bottom of my mom’s shirt and I immediately turned and headed straight for my room, closing my door behind me and locking it. I was so sad. This wasn’t the first time. I put my bat back and got back in bed with Reese. I just hoped Jack would be gone before we woke up.

It had been thirty minutes of me tossing and turning since I got back in bed. I hated this life, me being a second mother to Reese, my mom bringing Jack here at one a.m. all the time. Where are you, Dad? We need you. I hugged Reese tight and finally feel asleep with her right next to my side.

The next morning, I woke up and Reese was sitting up watching a show with a bowl of cereal in her hands.

Is Mom here? I asked her.

No, and the front door was open when I woke up.

It was Saturday and I had homework I had to do. I walked into the kitchen and got some cereal. I was pissed at my mom. The only reason that Reese and I even stay here is because we have nowhere else to go. When I got out into the living room, I noticed a couple of beer bottles lying on the floor.

I picked them up, threw them away, and went into the kitchen. After washing my hands, I poured a bowl of cereal and joined my sister in the bedroom. I had a feeling we would be alone all weekend.

So, Reese, do you just wanna sit around and watch TV all day?

Yeah, but tomorrow we gotta do something.

I agree.

We both just turned our attention to the show. I finished my cereal quickly and went to wash my bowl. When I got to the kitchen, I saw glass on the floor. Then I remembered what woke me up last night. Cleaning up the glass, I cut my hands, but at least I got the mess cleaned up.

Washing my bowl, I finished, and the kitchen was clean again. I saw a guy in the window. It scared me half to death, but when I saw it was my friend, I shut the water off and opened the back door.

Chapter 3

Meet Jaden

I punched him in the arm. You scared me half to death, I said.

Sorry. Jaden had been my friend since middle school. He knew about my mom and loved spending time with Reese and me.

I thought I’d stop by and see if you wanted to hang out today.

I’d love to. Do you care if we stay here though? My mom’s out again and Reese just wants to watch shows all day.

Nope, what happened to your hands? He pointed at the bloody towel I was holding.

Oh, broken glass. I better get this patched up. I threw away the towel and grabbed some paper towels to hold the blood for now.

I got you something. Jaden said. He held out a little bag.

Should I be touching it with these hands? I removed the paper towels and showed that my hands were still bleeding.

Probably not. He opened it and held out a necklace.

Aww, Jaden, you didn’t have to get me that.

I know, but when I saw it, I thought of you. So, I thought, why not.

Thank you so much.

He smiled. You’re welcome.

Will you put it on me? I wouldn’t want to ruin it with my hands.

Jaden laughed. Of course.

I turned around and he put the necklace on me. The necklace was a little gray wolf. Wolves are fierce, and I was a lone wolf. But I did stick with Jaden and Reese, so I guess I’m only a lone wolf sometimes. We walked into my room to hangout.

Hey, Jaden, Reese said with a smile.

Hey, Reese, how are you doing?

Good. Me and Harper were just watching a show.

What show?

"The first Fast and the Furious movie."

Oh, this one’s my favorite.

Really? Mine too.

Reese and Jaden sat and watched while I checked my phone. I had gotten a text from my dad.

Jaden?

What?

Can I talk to you in the other room? Please?

Okay, what’s up? I grabbed his arm and pulled him into the hallway, then closed my bedroom door.

Look, I said, showing him my phone.

Your dad texted you?

Yes, after two years of no communication. At all.

Okay, well, are you going to text him back?

I don’t know, should I?

Have you even opened the message yet?

No, I just saw it like, two seconds ago.

Maybe it’s God?

What?

God, maybe He’s saving you from this life.

Jaden, you know I’m not sure about religion, right?

I know, but I am. And I’m telling you this could be Him.

Okay. I opened the message and started to read it.

Harper, it’s Dad. I know I messed up with you and Reese, and I’m sorry. But I’m reaching out to you now because I’ve come to my senses and I’m trying to reach out to you now. Please respond. Dad.

He wants something, and it’s not me or Reese.

Oh, come on, maybe he just wants you and Reese. He probably found out about how bad your life is here.

Maybe. What should I say back?

Tell him to come get you guys.

I don’t even know where he is. He could be in a completely different state.

Well, if I were you, I would tell him to come get me. Jaden just stared at me. I shoved my phone back in my pocket.

I’ll respond later. I walked back into my room. Jaden just followed. Sitting on the bed with Reese, I watched the show, and Jaden did the same.

* * *

A couple of hours later I was in the kitchen making lunch. Grilled cheese was Reese’s request, and Jaden said he would like the same. So, I made us all grilled cheese sandwiches. I still hadn’t responded to my dad’s text. I’m glad Jaden’s over. He’s a distraction from my mom and my dad, but eventually I would have to respond to my dad.

Putting a pan in the sink, I brought the sandwiches to Reese and Jaden.

Thanks, Reese said.

Thanks, Jaden said as I handed him his plate. I sat down with my science homework. Number one, I read it twice to myself and still didn’t understand. I sucked at science, but I knew Jaden was a genius. He was a straight A student, unlike me.

Hey, Jaden?

Yeah?

Can you help me with my science homework?

Sure, what’s the problem? He turned his attention to me, and I read the problem aloud. When I finished reading him the problem, he sat down next to me on the floor and walked me through the problem a couple of times before I got it.

Thanks. You’re a genius, I said with a smile.

Of course. You’ll get it. Just keep working hard.

Chapter 4

Jaden’s Place

I was still working through my science homework, and thanks to Jaden it only took me a half hour. It usually took me at least a couple hours if I have no help.

Almost done? Jaden asked.

Yes, why? I looked up from my paper.

I’m just tired of TV and want to go have fun.

I’m on my last problem, then we can get out of here. He smiled at me. A minute later I finished.

Done! Now I’ll just wash our plates and then we can get out of here. I stood up and started collecting our plates.

Great, I have a couple of ideas for what we can do, Jaden said.

I grabbed our plates and went to wash them. Turning the faucet handle, no water came out.

Shit, I whispered to myself.

Mom never paid the water bill this month. I left the dishes there and just went into Reese’s room and started packing for her. First, I grabbed her clothes, then went into the bathroom and grabbed deodorant and a hairbrush. Grabbing a small blanket from her bed, I turned to see Jaden standing in the doorway with a toothbrush in his hand.

Unless you wanna share a toothbrush with your sister, I suggest you pack this.

How’d you know? I grabbed the toothbrush from him and headed for the kitchen. Jaden followed me.

I didn’t hear any water when you went to wash the dishes.

I put the toothbrush in a zip lock bag and walked back to Reese’s room. Again, Jaden followed me and started to talk more as I kept packing.

You know none of this is your fault, he said.

What?

You know, it’s not your fault that your dad left you. It’s not your fault that your mom’s too selfish to take care of her own daughters, or that you basically have to be a mom at seventeen years old with Reese.

I know none of this is my fault, it’s all my mom’s doing. And she’s never going to change. And this, this will never stop happening. I zipped up Reese’s bag and headed to my room.

Here, I said, throwing the bag at Reese, then I started packing my own.

I’m going to go get in Jaden’s car. Reese said.

It’s out front, Jaden told her right before she left.

This is what, your one hundredth time letting us stay at your place? I asked.

Probably, but I’m your best friend, and I’ve always got your back.

I know you do. Thank you, again.

Of course. He laughed. I gave him a hug and then we headed out towards the car.

What do you say we go get some ice cream? Jaden asked us when we got in the car.

It’s too early for treats, though, I told him.

So? It’s Saturday. And you guys need something to cheer you up.

Come on, Bree, please? Reese cut in.

Fine, I told them, and Jaden started the car.

Reese had always called me by my middle name, Bree. My dad gave me my middle name, and whenever Reese called me Bree, it reminded me of my dad, and made me kind of sad. But also reminded me that I still have one, and once, he called me. But in the text, he called me Harper, which made me sad, and if I see him again, I just hope he calls me Bree. Like the good old days.

I watched Jaden drive; he turned on the radio and turned it up loud to some music. He was always such a goofy driver; he swerved on the road and danced to the music. He’s always been himself, no matter who he’s around. His goofy self, and that’s what I love about him.

We had arrived at Dairy Queen and got blizzards. Back on the road, we headed to Jaden’s house. He only lived about ten minutes away. But we did go out of our way for ice cream, so the drive was longer.

On are way back I watched Jaden drive all goofy. Music up loud, he sang along to a few songs. His window down and the wild wind in his blond hair. Another thing I loved about him was the child in him. Nineteen and he had the spirit of a little boy, yet he also had the maturity of a young man.

* * *

He had parked in his driveway; we were here. I grabbed my blizzard cup and followed Jaden inside; Reese was right behind me. When we got inside, I smelled a candle, scented vanilla.

Sorry about the mess, Jaden said, grabbing a basket full of clean laundry. It wasn’t a mess. He had just left a dish in the sink and clean laundry out.

Jaden, you were just at my house this morning. This isn’t a mess. I smiled at him.

Tell that to my mom. If she finds one thing out of place, I get extra chores the next day.

Yikes, my mom usually makes more messes than me and Harper combined, Reese said. I laughed.

Our lifestyles are way different, he said with a laugh, then went downstairs. It was a two-story house. Jaden was an only child, and he’s rarely alone. I threw away the cup I was still holding and then sat on the couch. Reese just came out of the bathroom and joined me.

Do you think we’ll be here all weekend? she asked.

I don’t know, maybe. It’s really up to Jaden on how long we’re here.

Grabbing the remote I turned on the TV. The Hunger Games was the only good show on. That was fine with me, and Reese loved the series. Jaden came back from downstairs and joined us. He sat down in between me and Reese.

"Hunger Games, huh?" he said.

Yeah, it was the only show on that we liked, I told him.

You know I have a DVD player, and there’s tons of movies in this cabinet. He got up and opened the door to a cabinet that was next to

the TV.

"Do you have Venom?" Reese asked.

I think so. He started searching through the rows, then pulled one out.

Yup, you wanna watch?

Yes, Reese responded.

He put in the DVD, then shut the cabinet door and sat back down.

We were watching the movie and we were about halfway through. I was getting really bored and thought I might respond to my dad’s text from this morning. I got up and went into the kitchen; it had been two hours since I read it.

Here I go, I whispered to myself.

Dad, it’s been so long. I’m sorry I didn’t respond right away, I guess I was just a little suspicious about hearing from you after all these years. So, my question for you is, why now?

I sent the message and stayed in the kitchen just for a few more minutes. When it had been ten minutes, I put my phone away and joined Reese and Jaden again. I felt tired, so I fell asleep on the couch.

Chapter 5

Dad’s Call

I woke up a few hours later to see I had missed a call from my dad.

Shit. I picked up the phone and called him back immediately. The phone was ringing, and I saw Jaden in the kitchen. Did I sleep all the way to dinner? After about a minute my call went to voicemail.

Hey Dad, I’m sorry I missed your call. I’m at a friend’s house. I had a late night and was sleeping when you called. Please call me back. I put the phone down and looked to see Jaden walk in the living room.

What was that? You seemed worried, he said.

I missed a call from my dad.

Oh, he didn’t pick up when you called him back?

No, he didn’t. Hey, where’s Reese?

Oh, when you were asleep, we went on a grocery run and she picked out a book. So, she’s reading downstairs.

Okay, thanks for getting her that.

No problem. You hungry? I’m making some soup and it should be ready in about ten minutes.

Yeah, actually. Do you want me to go get Reese?

Sure. He walked back into the kitchen, and I headed downstairs.

Hey, Reese.

Hey, Bree.

What book did you get?

"The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe."

That’s a good one, I’ve read it before.

Yeah, it’s really good so far.

I came down here to tell you dinner’s ready.

Sweet, I’m hungry.

She put a bookmark in her spot and headed up the stairs; I was right behind her. When we got to the top of the stairs, I grabbed three glasses and filled them with water. I put them on the table and walked back into the kitchen where Jaden was dishing everyone up.

These are for you two, he said, handing me two bowls of soup.

Thank you. I went and sat down, then Jaden prayed, and we ate. I almost forgot he did that. My family never did that, so I felt a little weird. But it was weirder for Reese than me, because I’ve had dinner with Jaden and his family before. She hadn’t.

So how was your nap? Jaden asked me.

Good, why?

You must have been up late last night, because you slept for like four hours.

Yeah, you were knocked out cold, Reese said.

Wow, I guess it was from me being up late and waking up at one a.m.

Well, now I wonder if you’ll be able to sleep tonight.

I probably will.

I know I will, Reese said.

Oh really? Is it from our twenty-minute trip to the store? Jaden asked with a laugh.

Kind of, mostly from us being up late and watching TV though. She took a bite of her soup.

What’d you guys watch? he asked.

A girl show, you wouldn’t like it, Reese answered.

"Alexa and Katie," I answered.

Don’t know that one.

Well, duh, you’re a guy. And it’s a girl show, Reese said.

"Please, I’ve watched girl shows before. Like this one time my cousin made me watch Sound of Music. Ugh, so boring." We laughed.

After dinner I helped wash dishes, and Jaden dried them. When I finished up, my phone buzzed, and it was my dad calling. I picked up.