Beyond Vica by T. C. Booth Page B

for me to open up to people, especially strangers. I told mom I’d try it once. I don’t plan on going back after tomorrow. That’s the last thing I remember thinking before I fall to sleep and dream of Sam, Brody, and me traveling to space in a rocket ship.

Chapter Thirteen
    I scan the faces of the circle and come to rest on Jamie from my English class. I almost don’t recognize her. Her hair is now turquoise. She has a pink stud in her nose and is wearing black lipstick. She has on long sleeves despite the fact it’s 80 degrees outside.
    â€œWhat about you, Gabby? What’s something you do to cope when you have feelings that are hard to deal with?” The group leader, Mr. Lang calls on me. His legs are crossed with a notebook on his lap.
    My legs stick to the metal chair. I shift my body and my tug my shorts legs down under me. “Well, I usually get my basketball and shoot hoops for a while.”
    Mr. Lang nods his approval. “It’s okay to let yourself feel the pain while you are shooting baskets. If you try to push it away, it will only come back stronger.”
    My eyes focus on my fingers as I twist a pink string unraveling at the bottom of my tank top. I nod so that he knows I heard him.
    â€œJamie, would you like to share something? I believe last week you told us your way to cope was writing.” Mr. Lang shifts his attention to Jamie, who unfolds a paper.
    â€œYes, I brought something I wrote to share.” She clears her throat. “'We were created from the same spark of light, forever connected as one soul. A connection so strong, I knew the second your light on Earth went out. I knew because part of my soul grew dark. Someday, our souls will meet again to ignite the spark. Only then will my soul feel whole again.'”
    Silence blankets the room. A boy with blond, spikey bangs hangs his head. I think I see him wipe his eyes. I’m not sure because my vision is blurred by the pools of water formed in my eyes. I swallow hard. I’ve never heard words that can carry so much weight yet are amazingly beautiful at the same time. That’s not all. Jamie’s words carry a truth that I’ve been trying to figure out. I have to talk to her.
    ****
    Brody passed his driving test. He’s on his way to pick me up. I slip my flip-flops off and curl my legs under me on the porch swing, unable to get Jamie’s words out of my head. I didn’t have a chance to talk to her after the meeting. She left so fast.
    Brody turns into the drive with the top off of his Jeep. His music vibrates into the air. I slip on my pink flip-fIops and rush down the steps. Brody smiles at me under his shades. He has on a neon tank top, allowing his arms to show off the curves of his muscles. I have to remind myself to breathe at the sight of him.
    â€œHey, beautiful. Hop in!” He pats the passenger seat. Heat fills my cheeks. It’s strange to hear him call me that. I like it. I’m just not used to it.
    I pull my seatbelt across my pink tank and click it in place. “Your Jeep is amazing. You’re lucky your dad has his own car lot.”
    â€œIt’s not free. I have to work for it this summer at the dealership. I’m washing cars and whatever else he finds for me to do.” He looks sideways at me.
    â€œThis is so cool!” I feel grown up. No more feeling lame when mom drops me off at school while the older kids drive by in their own cars. Brody will pick me up for the last two weeks of school. In the fall, I’ll drive myself. “I love this song!” I turn up the volume.
    Brody strums his fingers on the steering wheel. We both belt out the words to “Cruise” by Florida Line and Nelly. I slip off my flip-flops and put my feet on the dash, something my mom never lets me do. The wind whips my hair around my face. Part of me feels guilty that I’m having fun and Sam can’t experience this.
    ****
    That night I lie in bed