teens

 

Hi everyone!! There’s still a couple of minutes left in Sunday as I give to you all a sample of the In Love With My Best Friend spin-off, The Love Chronicles. I know a lot of you are patiently waiting for this book as Andie (Camille and Trevor’s daughter) and Dexter (Tia and Charles’ son) have their own story as they tackle being high school seniors, preparing for their futures, and falling in love.

I can say with this story is that I’m enjoying writing this story and seeing the growth in both Andie and Dexter as their slowly embrace the feelings they have for each other as well as thinking ahead about their lives after high school.

Here is the prologue for the book as it is told through the eyes of a six-year-old Andie. Of course the excerpt is unedited.

I really hope you enjoy the sample! 🙂

Prologue

Andie

May, 2020

 “Can you believe how big they have gotten? Just yesterday, they were so tiny.” My Aunt Tia said while hugging Dexter. He gave a grumpy expression which made our parents laugh.

“They’re not going to be babies forever. Before you know it, they’ll be in high school begging us for a car and money. That I’m not looking forward to.” My uncle Charles admitted.

“I for one will be excited to see our kids grow up to be exceptional young adults. Can you imagine if they will follow in our footsteps?” My mom asked while looking into my eyes.

You all are probably wondering how I can be having thoughts at this exact moment. It’s quite simple: I’m just smart for my age. That’s what my parents say anyway. But I guess it’s true since I am in the top of my 1^st grade class, know all of my alphabet and numbers past 300, know vocabulary that even some adults doesn’t know, and know a few words and phases in Spanish, French, and I’m learning Chinese. Pretty impressive for a six-year-old, but I know later in life all of this will come in handy for me.

While I’m too smart for my own good, Dexter, on the other hand, is your typical child. All he cares about is playing with his Transformers, getting into his parents’ stash of “toys,” and tearing up everything in sight. Even though he’s up there with me in the learning process, his attitude truly stinks for a kid. His parents has to constantly come up to the school for his behavior. His dad even gave him time-out in front of the class. Of course that made him more upset, but Uncle Charles doesn’t care. He figured that’s what he calls, “tough love.”

While Dexter is a handful, his sister, Regina, is a year younger than the two of us and is also quite the character. Between those two, I don’t know how Aunt Tia and Uncle Charles can handle them.

I glanced at her as she was giving a mischievous grin at her parents as her hands were covered with paint. She was about to place them onto the white couch when her mom gave her a look reading “not going to happen.”

“I know one thing for sure, both of our kids will surely be gorgeous. They’re gorgeous now, but we’ll have to keep a close eye on them when they’re older.” My mom said.

“That’s why I have my shot gun ready for any boy who breaks my daughter’s heart.” My dad confessed while giving a wide grin.

“Stop it, Trevor! It won’t go that far. Will it?”

He shrugged as he began looking at something on his iPad.

My parents have been the best of friends since they were kids themselves. My parents met while they were staying next door to each other while Aunt Tia and Uncle Charles were their best friends. Even at my young age I have heard the stories of how they all met so many times I have literally turned blue in the face. Every time Dexter hears the story, he starts to cry. That’s why I called Tia and Charles aunt and uncle since the two are like sister and brother to my parents. That part I understood.

My mom stared into my eyes again and smiled. “You’re going to be something special, my sweet Alexandra. You already are, but you’re going to be a force to be reckon with.”

“Just like our children. I can definitely see Regina as an artist. I mean, look at her now.” Aunt Tia said while staring at her. She was busy making a mess with her paints on a piece of drawing paper.

“As for our boy, Dexter. I can see him as an athlete. Maybe a football player.” Aunt Tia continued.

“Why does he have to be an athlete? He can follow in his old man’s footsteps and be an accountant.”

“Yes, a wealthy accountant since you’re the accountant to the stars now.” My dad teased.

“Hey, those wealthy clients is what footing this house.”

“And my event planning business doesn’t? If you recall, my clients are the same ones that you offer services to.” Aunt Tia whined.

Uncle Charles gave her a smirk while she gave one back.

“And I thought Andie, Regina, and Dexter were the only three kids in the room. You two are close to 40 and still act immature.” My mom said.

“He started it.” Aunt Tia mumbled.

“Yeah, just immature.” Dexter said and giggled.

Everyone started to laugh as Aunt Tia shook her head. “This boy is going to give us a heart attack one day with his mouth.”

“He’s just being expressive. It’s nothing wrong with that.” My mom said.

“Please. Just the other day at school he asked his teacher what was a mistress. What six year old says that?”

“Your child.” My dad said and laughed.

“Of course the director blames Charles and I for the incident since he figured we were the ones who taught him that word.”

“I learned it from Scandal.” Dexter said and smiled.

“Simple, just don’t watch adult programming. Why was he up at that time anyway?” My mom asked.

“I was watching it on DVR. The school basically think Charles and I are unfit since Dexter’s always getting into trouble. He can’t control what he says in class. We punish him for it, but he still does it.”

“Grandma says I am opinionated. What that means?” Dexter asked.

“You’ll know eventually.” Aunt Tia said.

“I wondered, what if Andie and Dexter dated. Wouldn’t it be awkward considering they grew up together and live next door to each other?” my dad asked.

“The two are like brother and sister. They would never date.” Uncle Charles said.

“You never know. It happened with you two.” Aunt Tia said while pointing at my parents.

“True. I guess only time will tell.”

Dexter looked at me and we both shook our heads.

“Just know that these will definitely be a handful, especially Dexter.” My dad said while glancing at him. He was on the floor trying to pull apart Uncle Charles’ phone as he went over to get it from him.

“He took it from my pocket!” he exclaimed.

“Why is Mommy fighting with herself on the bed?”

My parents looked confused as Dexter gave an innocent look. Uncle Charles looked at his phone and turned bright red.

“Oh shit!” he yelled.

“Oooh, Daddy said a bad word!” Dexter said while pointing.

“What was…Oh my God!” Aunt Tia said while putting a hand to her mouth. “I thought you deleted that picture!”

“I forgot.”

My parents were laughing as Aunt Tia and Uncle Charles were arguing. I looked at Dexter, who looked at me and smiled. Even at my young age, I knew my family was a bit dysfunctional, but I think I wouldn’t have it any other way. I hope that Dexter and me can be friends forever. Or at least hangout like we do now. I just hope things doesn’t change.

 

Little did I know, nothing in life last forever…

 

Hi everyone! Here is the first teaser from Our Love, available in October!!! I will be posting two more before the release, so stay tuned!!

 

1. Charlie

 

 

“I can’t believe this is happening!” I said to the principal of Parker High School.

 

 Mr. McCue looked at me with a stony expression on his face. He walked over to his desk and sat down in the chair behind it. I looked at him, and then to my parents who were sitting beside me.

 

 Right now, all I wanted was to disappear from Mr. McCue’s office and from the face of the earth. I can’t believe I’m in the principal’s office, of all places, explaining myself to the most difficult man in the history of Parker High. To be honest, I don’t even know why I’m in the principal’s office. Theresa started it! Okay, I guess you’re wondering what’s happening with me and why I’m in the principal’s office. Well, let me back track to earlier this morning. In fact, let me go all the way back to seventeen years ago when I was born Charlie Perry.

 

I was born from two loving people that would give me the world if they could. But from the look on their faces now, it seemed like they wanted to kick my butt for dragging them from work to hear my latest public disturbance at school.

 

 Growing up, I always wanted to be the center of attention; from being in every elementary school program, to being in the marching band. I was always involved in something. So when I went to high school, the drive to be center of attention landed me as one of the most popular girls at school. Not only did I become head cheerleader, but I was also the editor of the school’s newspaper, The Eagle Gazette, and an active member of the Honor League. I was also well liked by my peers, or so I thought until today. Hopefully this wouldn’t affect my chances of becoming senior prom queen.

 

 Now since I gave you a mini autobiography of myself, let’s go back to what happened this morning. I don’t know how it started; all I know is that girl Theresa is straight out crazy…

 

“Hey, everyone,” I said to my cheerleading girls. Since homecoming is coming up in a few weeks, we have to practice like crazy to get our routine done for the big day. So I decided to hold a morning practice to get prepared. As I look at my squad, I know something is going to go wrong today. Before I came to school this morning, I overslept thirty minutes, dropped all my cereal on the floor, and couldn’t find my favorite sweater to save my life. Now I was in the gym catching my breath because I sped all the way from my house to get here on time. I couldn’t be late since I am captain. How would that look?

 

“Hey, girl. You look like hell,” said Eva Coleman, who was my best friend in the whole world. She’s my girl and would do anything for me, just like I would do anything for her.

 

We, along with Ashley Douglas, became instant friends when we first met in our preschool class thirteen years ago. I still remember the time when Eva dared me to eat a mud pie she created one day during recess in second grade. Of course I didn’t back out of the challenge, but instantly regretted it when I threw up on my crush, Spencer Donavan. She still never let me forgot that.

 

“Thanks,” I said. “Sorry I had to do this to everyone, but we have to practice like crazy since the homecoming game is coming up. I’ve scheduled practice in the mornings and afternoons until the game arrives.”

 

“Well Char, if we want something done right, we have to practice. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I don’t want to go out there and make an ass of myself,” Ashley said as she was stretching her legs.

 

“I second that motion; so let’s get started,” I said as I went over to my tote bag.

 

Jessica Willis, another cheerleader, stopped stretching and looked over at me with a grim look on her face.

 

“We can’t practice. We’re missing a cheerleader.”

 

I glanced around and noticed she was right. The diva of all divas, Theresa Sherman, has not made her grand entrance yet. That girl is such a nuisance; even the principal can’t stand her. Theresa and I always butt heads on anything and everything. It’s a wonder we have not had a fist fight yet. Even if we did, I could win that with my eyes closed.

 

 As I looked around at the patient girls in front of me, I was thinking we could start practice.  We had four new cheers to learn, but then realized that I couldn’t start now and later teach her the cheers.  I just didn’t have the time.

 

“I guess we have to wait until she arrives,” I said.

 

Just as soon as I mouthed those words, the diva walked in with a huge grin on her face. She thinks she is all that, but the girl is a mess. And today was no different. She was dressed in an outfit not suitable for practice and had heavily caked makeup on her honey colored face. I swear she looked like she was coming from a slutty night out instead of school.

 

“Nice for you to show up, Theresa. You knew we had a morning practice today.”

 

“Sorry, okay. I had to take care of something. It not like I’m late anyway. I saw you in the parking lot not too long ago.”

 

“That’s not the point; if you saw me we could have walked in together. Anyway, let’s get to work. Now I have the new cheers for the game, so we have to get moving. We don’t want to look like fools on the field during homecoming.”

 

“Too late for that,” Theresa said under her breath.

 

“What you say?” I asked as I went up to my archenemy.

 

“Nothing, let’s practice,” she said.

 

I looked at her and went over to the other girls before me.

 

After thirty minutes of practicing, it seemed like we were on the right track. We learned two of the four cheers and several of the routines. While we were all doing the new routine to our “Fire Up” cheer, Theresa sat down on the gym floor and looked at us like we were on drugs or something.

 

I went over to her and looked right in her face.

 

“Why are you not practicing like the rest of us? We are not taking a break, so you need to get up.”

 

“Sorry sweetie, but I decided to take a break. I’m tired and this cheer is weak.”

 

“Excuse me,” Eva said. She was about to go over to Theresa, but Jessica held her back.

 

“I know she is not saying something about my cheer. I spent over two hours choreographing it.”

 

“Two hours. Seemed like two seconds.”

 

“What is your problem? Why do you have to be so mean to everyone?” I asked.

 

“I’m not being mean, I’m speaking the truth. Someone has to. Half the cheers we’ve done this year are crap, and I’m not going to do them,” she said as she got up and went to the bench.

 

“You know what? I’m sick and tired of you and your attitude. You have no respect for anyone. Whatever your problem is, it going to stop right now.”

 

Theresa looked at me and started laughing.

 

“Oh please, and what are you going to do about it?” she asked.

 

Ughh, why did she have to go and say that! As I looked at my friends, they knew that Theresa had finally pushed me over the edge. I went over to the bench and got in her face.

 

“You want to know what I’m going to do. Get up and I’ll show you.”

 

“Whatever, heifer.”

 

“Oh I know she didn’t,” I said as I balled my hands into two fists.

 

I looked at her and gave her a swift punch across her jaw. The impact was so quick; I didn’t even know I hit her. Theresa looked at me with a shocked look on her face, while my friends looked at me with an ‘I’m- glad- she- did-that’ look.

 

Theresa got up and shoved me, causing me to lose my balance. I quickly regained my posture and shoved her toward the blenchers. We looked at each other and we knew it was on. Minutes later, we were on the gym floor grabbing each other’s hair and hitting each other so hard I felt like I was fighting in a wrestling match.

 

Eva looked at us with a panicky expression.

 

“You two need to stop! Mrs. Williams might walk in!” she yelled.

 

But we kept fighting. I suddenly noticed Theresa stopped hitting me. I thought she gave up because I was kicking her butt. As soon as I threw her against the wall, I noticed the cheerleading sponsor, Mrs. Williams, run into the gym.

 

“Stop it you two! What’s going on?” she asked while pulling Theresa away from me. Eva grabbed a hold of me and held my arms behind my back.

 

“She started it! She practically just manhandled me like some animal!” Theresa yelled.

 

I looked at Theresa as if she had lost her mind.

 

“Is that true, Charlie?” Mrs. Williams asked.

 

“No. She started it with her attitude! She called me a heifer.”

 

“I did not. You heard wrong,” Theresa said.

 

Then to make matters worse, she clutched her arm and started wailing in pain.

 

“Oh God! I think my arm is broken.”

 

“I do not believe this,” Eva said silently.

 

“She broke my arm!” Theresa yelled.

 

“Okay, calm down Theresa. I’ll send you to the nurse. As for you Charlie, I suggest you get your act together. You’re supposed to set an example for the rest of the cheerleaders, and going around hitting people is not one of them.”

 

“But Mrs. Williams, it was not my fault.” Why all of a sudden was Theresa claiming her arm is injured?

 

“I want to press charges,” Theresa said in tears.

 

I know she didn’t say what I thought she said. She couldn’t press charges! What have I done for her to press charges?

 

“Oh come on, Theresa. You cannot do that!” Eva yelled.

 

“She broke my arm. That’s assault.”

 

“Okay everybody, calm down. Now think about this, Theresa. You sure you want to press charges?” Mrs. Williams asked.

 

“I do not have to think about it. Charlie Perry should be placed in juvie for her reckless behavior. She always has been a menace ever since she’s been at Parker. Someone needs to put an end to it.”

 

I looked at Theresa and rolled my eyes. She’s such a drama queen.

 

“If that’s what you want, but I think you need to think about it.”

 

“I don’t have to. Besides, if I don’t, my parents definitely will.”

 

I sighed and turned my head to Eva.

 

 

“You can let me go now. I’m not going to do anything.”

 

“You’re sure?”

 

“Positive.”

 

Eva looked at me and then took her hands away.

 

I looked at Theresa with a mean look on my face and started to walk out of the gym.

 

At that point, I did not care if Theresa filed charges on me. She deserved to get her butt kicked, and I would do it again if I had the opportunity…

 

So that was the entire incident. That is why I’m in Mr. McCue’s office, and why my parents are sitting beside me, ready to kill me.

 

The girls all tried to give convincing statements to Mr. McCue on what happened, but of course, Mr. McCue did not buy it. He wants to, but he has to believe everything Theresa says. There have been rumors around school that her parents give the school thousands of dollars to keep the campus afloat. So why would he get rid of the school’s trust fund?

 

And after the school police came into the office and talked to Mr. McCue, I found out that Theresa was still going to file charges on me.

 

 

 

“This is ridiculous! Why would you believe anything she says? There were six witnesses in the gym that saw Theresa start it; so why am I on trial?”

 

“Because Miss Sherman has a broken arm while you barely have scratches.”

 

“It’s not my problem she can’t fight,” I said under my breath.

 

My mom heard what I mumbled, so she nudged my arm with hers.

 

“Charlie, all year you’ve been causing trouble; from back talking to your teachers, to this incident with Theresa.  This is all making me wonder about you.”

 

“What is that supposed to mean, Mr. McCue?” my dad asked while getting into Mr. McCue’s face. From the looks of it, there was going to be another fight.

 

“Calm down, Mr. Perry. Now I see where Charlie gets her rage from.”

 

“Okay Mr. McCue, you’re getting out of hand now. Tell me why you have concerns over Charlie?” my dad asked angrily.

 

“The reason I said that is because Charlie is a great girl. She’s an excellent student. Since she’s achieving such great progress academically, she’s able to maintain her extra-curricular activities. But her recent incidents with Theresa only make me think that maybe this time other discipline should be taken.”

 

“So you’d rather let a girl, who is excellent in school, have a criminal record? As I recall, charges cannot be filed on a teenager for a physical altercation,” said my mom.

 

I started to smile at how my parents were acting towards the principal from hell. Someone had to tell Mr. McCue off, so I was glad it was my parents.

 

“Will you calm down Mrs. Perry?  As far as the charges go, I have nothing to do with that. Theresa and her parents have made it clear that they want to file charges. Besides, Miss Sherman was physically attacked; therefore, the charges stick.”

 

“Is there any way we can talk to Theresa and her parents about this? Charlie is only seventeen,” my dad said.

 

“You can try, but they refused to be in the same room with you or Charlie. Their minds are made up. Now, if you will excuse me, I have to call the police so they can come,” Mr. McCue said. As he picked up his desk phone, my father went to Mr. McCue’s desk and disconnected the phone line.

 

What are you doing, Mr. Perry?”

 

“Before you make that call, please hear me out.”

 

Mr. McCue sat down in his leather desk chair and gave my dad an annoyed look.

 

“I’m listening.”

 

“I think what I’m about to say would help everyone involved. I believe instead of Mr. and Mrs. Sherman pressing charges on Charlie, maybe Charlie should transfer schools. That way Charlie won’t have a criminal record, and she and Theresa would not be around each other.”

 

I completely froze when my dad said that I should change schools. I can’t believe he would suggest I transfer during the middle of my senior year!  What about my friends? And homecoming? And prom?

 

“I’m not transferring, Dad. I rather have charges filed against me than go to another school.”

 

“I understand you don’t want to transfer, but I think it would be a good idea,” my dad said.

 

“Mom, please tell me you don’t agree to this? This is my senior year. I can’t leave Parker during my senior year!”

 

My mom looked at me with a sad expression on her face. From the look she was giving me, I already knew her answer.

 

“No Mom. Do not agree to this.”

 

“I’m sorry, baby, but I think this is a good idea too.”

 

Mr. McCue looked at me, and then my parents.

 

“What you say Mr. McCue?” asked my dad.

 

“I think that could be arranged. If Charlie did have charges pressed against her, she could have been expelled from Parker. So this could work out for everyone.”

 

“Figured you would say that. You’d rather me go, instead of the Bank of Sherman. If you disciplined Theresa, all the funds for the school would be cut off.”

 

“Charlie!” my mom said in a surprised tone.

 

“Well, is it true?”

 

“That’s not true Charlie and you know it,” Mr. McCue said.

 

I looked at Mr. McCue and then my parents with a disgusted look.

 

As the three were discussing transfer procedures for me to go to the nearest school in the area, I slumped in my seat even lower.

 

Life as I knew it, is over.