Seventeen-year-old Lark Singer only has
two things going for her, her music and her best friend Bean. While entering a
competition she hopes will launch their music career, Lark searches for answers
that will make her whole. Her quest reveals some secrets that those around her
would rather keep hidden. As the competition looms closer, Lark discovers not
only who she really is, but also who her real friends are. Then tragedy
threatens everything she has worked so hard to accomplish. Can she pick up the
pieces and move on?
Chapter One
I want to be like Gideon Lee. My lips move as I read the title of my essay. They twitch
as I stifle a snicker. Looking around the room, I make sure no one has seen my
facial tic. My eyes light upon the Presidents’ pictures lined up on the wall.
They face me, each with a unique expression, and I wonder what they were
thinking while they posed. They are above the clock so my gaze naturally falls
on it. It’s almost time for lunch.
I settle back in my seat and my lips
twitch again. A feeling of defiant exhilaration washes over me like a tidal
wave.
Montgomery’s going to freak when he reads this.
Despite my best efforts, a giggle
escapes and the boy in front of me turns around and gives me the evil eye. I
return the glare. He is slumped over, and sweat beads on his upper lip. I think
this is odd — it’s rather chilly in the room — but dismiss it before I turn
back to my essay.
I bet old man Montgomery doesn’t even know who Gideon Lee is. This thought sends another giggle to the surface, but I
quickly squash it by biting my lip.
I picture him searching Gideon Lee’s
name on the Internet. I see his expression changing from confusion to disgust.
I imagine him taking off his black, thick-rimmed glasses and shaking his head.
I hear him mutter, “Lark Singer, what are you doing?” He rubs his face. I can
actually hear the rough sandpapery sound as his hand finds his day old stubble.
He sighs and puts his glasses back on. “What am I going to do with you?”
I remember when Mr. Montgomery first
told us about the assignment. We were supposed to write an essay on someone we
admire, someone who has contributed to society in some way. I know when he says
this he wants us to write about an a historical figure. After all this is
history class, but I raised my hand anyway.
“Lark,” he called out as he stood at
his lectern.
“Do they have to be dead?”
He cocked his head as he studied me
with his piercing blue eyes. Then he ran his hand over his military style crew
cut, and I watched as his salt and pepper hair flattened then popped back into
place as if each hair was standing at attention. I could tell he wasn’t sure
where this was going. “Well… I guess not.” That’s when he froze, as if he
realized he had just opened a door for me and he wasn’t going to like what was
on the other side. He shifted his weight, and looked down at the floor before
he backpedaled. “But they have to have made a positive contribution to society.
It can’t be about a mobster or anything like that.” Pursing his lips, he stared
at me, fiddling with those glasses. “This is one half of your semester grade,
Lark. I wouldn’t pull any funny stuff.”
“Oh, I won’t. Scout’s honor,” I
answered sweetly, placing my hand over my heart and giving him the scout
salute, while inside I planned my rebellion.
I have him. I’m going to write about Gideon Lee, and there’s
nothing he can do about it.
Author Bio:
Lisa Orchard grew up loving books. Hooked on mysteries by the fifth grade, she even wrote a few of her own. She knew she wanted to be a writer even then. Her first series, “The Super Spies,” has reached bestseller status
After graduating from Central Michigan University with a Marketing Degree, she spent many years in the insurance industry, pining to express her creative side. The decision to stay home with her children gave her the opportunity to follow her dream and become a writer. She currently resides in Rockford Michigan with her husband, Steve, and two wonderful boys. Currently, she’s working on a Coming of Age Young Adult series called The Starlight Chronicles. When she’s not writing she enjoys spending time with her family, running, hiking, and reading.
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Thanks for allowing me to be here today! I appreciate it! :)
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