Breathtaking

Prologue

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as we’ve all been told. It comes in many forms: art, music, physical appearance, and character. There is beauty all around us. We take it for granted, as I often have, and don’t realize the beauty with which we were bestowed until it is threatened. Things can be beautiful. People can be beautiful, flowers, models, scents, and babies. Just as there are different forms of beauty, there are endless synonyms: stunning, gorgeous, ravishing, hot, all of mean having outward or even inward beauty. But to me, there is one word that describes beauty at its highest form. When it’s more than just something to look at, it’s something that makes your insides weak, your heart race, and your stomach to flutter. This word makes the top ten lists of forms of beautiful.

That word is breathtaking.

"Shea . . . . Shea . . ."

I smiled, laughing happily. "Nic . . . ."

"Shea . . . let’s do it . . . . don’t you love me?"

I frowned now. Of course I do. But I want to wait until I’m married.

"No one does that anymore . . . . come on . . ." His fingers brushed my thigh.

"Stop . . ."

"Come on . . ." His voice was so urgent. It went from loving to impatient, annoyed. He grabbed at my skirt.

No. Stop!

You shouldn’t have been a tease!

Stop! I said no!!

Shea!!

No! I sat up instantly. My room was dark. Mel, my younger sister, was staring down at me. What . . .

You yelled ‘stop’. I heard you from my room. Good thing you didn’t wake Nana.

Oh . . . Mel’s room was right beside mine. There were thin walls in our house. It was just a bad dream . . . A horrible nightmare . . .

Yeah, I gathered that. She frowned, her red eyebrows furrowing together. Are you okay?

No. Yeah.

Are you sure, Shea?

No! Of course! Thanks though.

Why am I such a liar . . . ?

I waited till she was gone to get out of bed and look in my mirror. My eyes—a strange, piercing orange—were wide. With what? Fear? My hair flew in all directions around my tan face. It was light brown, a color similar to oak and streaked with gold.

What did that dream mean? That Dominic (who went by Nic), my on—again—off—again boyfriend since seventh grade, was going to . . . ? I shivered.

Nic wouldn’t do that. He loves me . . . . I know he does . . . .

Hi, Im Shea. I think I’m insane and terminally optimistic. Stop telling yourself that . . . You know it’s not true—

Hi Shea.

Chapter 1

September: my favorite and least favorite month. September was when my best friend Maya’s birthday was. So I had to go out and get her a gift.

In the 40° weather of Daniel, Utah . . .

I changed into skinny jeans, and an ice blue sweater, that looked nice on my skin, and I finished off with a North Face and crème original Uggs. (I have four pairs in different colors and styles!)

Where you going? Mel came in and asked me. It was a Saturday and she was still in her pajamas.

Shopping.

She didn’t look surprised. Mel knew I’m a shoppaholic. Almost as bad as Rebecca Bloomwood. Are you going to Coldstone?

Yeah. Coldstone Creamery is a franchise of different ice cream flavors and mix-ins like Oreos and pie crust.

Can you get me a Cheesecake Fantasy?

No blueberries right? she wrinkled her nose.

‘Kay. Don’t wake Nana to tell her I’m leaving. I quickly swept on a little blue eye shadow, mascara, and lemon-lime lip-gloss. I kissed Mel on the cheek. Bye, love you.

Gross. Hate you too. She smiled, wiping her cheek.

For my sixteenth birthday Nana bought me a silver Acura tsx a few months after I passed my driving test. I love my car. Even if it is kind of messy—mainly because of everyone’s crap in it—it’s my baby. I climbed in. The moment I started her up, music blasted from her speakers.

I bought Maya a silver tongue ring and a topaz ring; we had gotten our tongues pierced for my fifteenth bay. Nana totally flipped but she got over it when I bought her a plant—which I am still shocked about.

I stopped at the Coldstone on the way back home. The store wasn’t crowded, thankfully, and I could hardly wait to get my hands on their ice cream.

Can I have a Love—it Cheesecake Fantasy with no blueberries and . . . what the heck, a Gotta—have—it Birthday cake Remix? Thank you. I handed the cashier the money needed. Oh right. Some of that was London’s (that she asked me to hold for her) Crap . . . now I have like minus $20 . . .

I’m back!

Hello, dew drop. Nana poked her head out the kitchen to look at me. I heard you went out.

Yeah, I was on a quickie. Where’s Mel? Her ice cream is melting.

She went to go study at Phoebe Jenkins’ house. What should I make for dinner? Special K loaf? Or fresh salad? Nana’s a veggie head, no offense to vegetarians.

Special k loaf. She left me after I bought her stupid ice cream? I grumbled, sticking hers in the freezer. I dropped the bags on the couch and sighed.

Pooped?

Just a bit. Sorry. Should I help with dinner?

No! You have work next week. I’ve got tonight.

Kay. I turned on the TV. Doodie.

What?

90210 didn’t record.

I don’t understand why you watch those kinds of shows anyway. They’re so raunchy, dear! No, a waste of time is what they are—

I love my Nana. She’s sweet and awesome but when she starts nagging, the volume goes up.

My phone rang. Hello?

Babe, it’s me.

Oh hi Nicki. Are you coming by?

Actually, I called to tell you about this party London’s throwin’.

I muted the sound on the TV. A party?! Really? And she didn’t tell me?!

She probably sent you an invite on Facebook. That explains it. When do I ever get on my Facebook? Yeah. It’s supposed to be real hot. Dress code is strictly club attire.

I bit my lip. I don’t know if Nana will let me— My phone beeped. Hold up. Someone’s on the other line. Hello?

Shea, are you going to London’s party?

Maya, how did you find out about it? Aunt Bonnie treats you like an Alcatraz inmate.

Ha. Ha. Ha. She laughed, sarcastically. Your sister just called me.

What? Mel knows?!

It’s all over Facebook.

I frowned. Yeah, I’m so going.

Cool.

Can I come over to your house to get ready?

Sounds good. Peace.

I clicked back over to Nic. Yeah, babe, I’m going. Can you pick me and Maya up from her house?

Sure. I’m gonna love seeing what you wear, boo.

I laughed. Well, don’t raise your hopes too much. Bye.

Love you.

Do I really love him back? The question was so strange and foreign that my eyebrows furrowed. It was almost as though . . . It weren’t mine . . .

I love you too, Nic.

There was a smile in his voice when he answered. I know.

For some reason, this answer made me frown.

Nana, can I go to a party at London’s house with Maya and Nic?

Her forehead wrinkled when she frowned. Is it safe?

Of course! London is one of the safest people I know! And one of the craziest . . .

Then I suppose so . . . Is Melanata going?

Yes.

Watch after her, Sheatee. Her face became wary.

Yes, Nana. She’ll be fine.

Okay then, dew drop. Have fun. She kissed my cheek. The duffle bag on my shoulder seemed to get heavier. Was I doing the right thing?

Maya lived around the corner so it wasn’t long before I got there. I’d decided to walk.

Come in before Mom sees you, Maya yanked my arm and pulled me into the house. Dang it. Too late . . .

Hello Sheatee!

I didn’t understand why all grownups insisted on using my full first name. Hi Aunt Bonnie.

Are you going to the movies with Maya?

What?!?!

Behind her Mother’s back, my best friend made gestures for me to say yes. I sighed. "Yes, Ma’m. That’s the plan. One I’m happy to stick to."

Frowning, Maya mouthed, Just had to overdo it, didn’t you?!

Well you girls have a good time. You know, 17 is a big number. You two are almost adults. Maya says it’s a late showing of one of those horror movies. Is 12 curfew good?

I tried not to frown. Why did Maya draw me into her web of lies??? That’s more than enough—

Okay, thanks Momma. Bye. The—liar—I—am—ashamed—to—say—is—my—best—friend pulled me up to her room.

Maya! Why would you say we’re going to the movies?!

It seemed like a good idea at the time! Mom isn’t like Nana! She looked through her closet. So what should I wear?

I sighed. She knew I couldn’t resist picking out awesome outfits . . . The peach dress that is one shouldered with your crème platform pumps.

Colored tights or no?

The sheer crème ones."

With what?

I smiled. It’s a secret. You’ll have to find out. I sat down on her bed. Where are your brothers? Maya had 2 older brothers and 1 younger.

Carlos and Miguel are back at college and Kenny is taking a nap in Mom’s room.

All 3 of them?

Yep. She looked at the clock on her nightstand. It’s six thirty. The party starts at eight fifteen.

So we have a while.

You know it’ll take us over two hours to get ready.

I laughed. Good point.

Maya’s bathroom was adjoined to her room. Like all you had to do was open a door. Inside was a shower/bathtub, his/her sink, and a porcelain toilet.

Geez where does Aunt Bonnie work now?! The White House?!

No. She got a promotion at the firm.

Holy stars and garters! I picked up her soap. It was shaped like a dove. I don’t mean Dove soap! Like an actual dove! "That’s fancy soap that’s so fancy, they wash it everyday!"

She laughed again. Shea, don’t go crazy.

I sniffled. Can I marry your house?

I pronounce you Mister and Mrs. House.

I hummed the Wedding March.

I swear, best friend, you are the silliest person I know.

Gallantly, like a gentlewoman, I bowed. Gracias.

Too bad that’s the only Spanish you know.

No! I took 3 years of it!

But you were always snoring, and then you’d wake up and say ‘Nachos!’

I stifled laughter. That didn’t happen . . .

You wouldn’t know; you were sleeping!

Carne cabeza.

I am not a meat head!

I laughed. Are too.

You’re a jerk.

I know.

We exploded into a fit of laughter.

Okay. She picked up a white towel. Do you want to take a shower first or second?

Second’s the best.

Not when it’s me going first.

I rolled my eyes and went back to her room. My cell phone rang. Hello?

"Ah! Shea guess what???"

London?

"The one and only! Anyway, there’s this new hot guy who just moved here. NO one knows his name but people have seen him. Jen says her Mother spotted him and his sister at the grocery store. Apparently he’s extremely sexy!"

"Have you seen him, though?"

No . . . But he’s from a foreign country and he’s coming to my party with his supermodel sister! You’re coming to right?

Yeah. Maya, Nic, and I are going.

Perfect! Oh, I can’t wait! I bet the new boy is like a movie star! Well, Later till I meet you.

Love you till I see you. I laughed, hanging up. London was about as crazy as Mel about boys. I swear all my friends are terrible flirts . . .

Okay. Done. Maya came out in her white towel with her dark brown hair pulled up into a messy bun, wet at the ends.

That was quick. I took my duffle bag with me as I stood.

I don’t like taking long showers. I’d get caught-up. I looked at her as if she were insane. She shrugged. I daydream!

Change of subject, Nonchalantly, I told her about what London said as I gathered a towel and my underwear.

There’s a new hot guy in this one horse town?!

Maya, we have like three movie theatres and several horses—"

Irrelevant! Go, go! I must contemplate the new bait!

I laughed at her strangeness and entered the bathroom.

The sound of the water was comforting. It fell down on my skin in soft streams. Maya was right. You could get caught up. It was like basking in the rain when the sun starts to come out. I laughed. That was one of the most bizarre analogies I’ve ever heard . . .

As I wrapped the towel around myself, I caught a glimpse of my tattoo. It wasn’t something I went and had done. I was born with it. Crescent moons and stars in bright, exciting blue made patterns all the way up the underside of my arm. As far as I knew, it was a really weird birthmark. I’d never asked Nana and many people assumed it was a tattoo that I’d paid