Her Journey Begins Read Online Free PDF Page A

eyes. He ’ s about dad ’ s height and he plays football. ”
       “ Oh, so he ’ s got muscles? ”
       Chris wrinkles her nose. “ Yeah, but not all bulky like the other football players though. ”
       “ What ’ s his name? ”
       “ Brandon. ”
       “ Chris honey, I don ’ t want to give you the wrong advice, but I think you are going to have to take a chance and say something to him. ”
       “ But mom, what if he ’ s teasing me just to be mean? I mean what if I turn around and say good morning to him and he says, “ Ugh, you ’ re ugly, turn back around ” or asks, “ What are you looking at? ”
       “ Chris you ’ ll just have to be brave and tell him good morning and then if he does say something mean, I am going to transfer you. ”
    
       Chris is getting ready for school when there ’ s a knock on her bedroom door.
       “ Come in ” Barb walks in and hands Chris a very pretty blouse. “ Mom, I can ’ t wear that, it ’ s one of your favorites. ”
       “ But I think it will look better on you. Try it on and let ’ s see how it looks. ” Chris pulls off her t-shirt that she was going to wear and puts the blouse on. Barb nods, “ I thought so. It makes your blue eyes sparkle. ” She takes Chris by the hand. “ Here, sit down on the bed. When you turn to look at him, do you turn to the right or the left? ”
       “ I don ’ t turn to look at him. ”
       “ Okay, well let ’ s say if you did, which way would you turn? ” Chris glances over her right shoulder then her left.
       “ I think this one. ” Barb makes one thin braid in Chris ’ hair on the left side. Putting her hand under Chris ’ chin she lifts her face up and looks into her eyes,
       “ Chris you are very beautiful on the inside and the outside and don ’ t ever let anyone tell you otherwise. ”
       “ Thanks mom. ”
       “ Alright let ’ s go have some breakfast. We don ’ t want your stomach growling and scaring him off when you tell him good morning. ”
    
       Walking into class Chris sees she ’ s the first one. She sits down and waits for the bell to ring and for the rest of the students to slowly start meandering in. Brandon walks by and taps his finger on top of her desk. That ’ s unusual, he ’ s never done that before. Now she ’ s even more nervous about talking to him. He sits down in his seat behind her, but for some reason he doesn ’ t tug on her hair or say good morning, maybe he ’ s finally given up on her. She listens as he talks to his friend Brent, that sits across from him. They must have had a good weekend because they are both talking and laughing about something that happened on Saturday. The teacher comes in, takes roll call, and has them open their book to chapter 9. About five minutes before the class ends, a student from another class walks in and hands the teacher a note. Their teacher stands up and walks over to the door. “ I ’ ll be right back. Finish reading that chapter and if I ’ m not back when the bell rings, excuse yourselves. ” The teacher walks out and Chris feels a tug on her braid.
       “ Good morning beautiful. I like the braid. ”
    Chris bites her lower lip, takes a deep breath and turns around to face him. Smiling she asks,
       “ What do you want? ”
    At first, Chris smiles at the shocked look Brandon gives her, but her smile fades as Brandon clutches at his chest. 
       “ Oh my God. I think I ’ m having a heart attack. You can talk. ” He doesn ’ t say it too loud, but Chris sees the students closest to them watching. Out of the corner of her eye, Chris can see Brent is grinning. She faces forward and slumps down in her chair and  listens to the snickers from other classmates. When the bell rings Chris is the first one up and out the door. Brandon jumps up to go after her and catches his foot on the desk, almost knocking it over. Outside the door Chris can hear everyone in the class