Shaping Destiny

  Shaping Destiny

  Title Page

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELEVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Heather Monroe

  Shaping

  Destiny

  Shaping

  Destiny

  Author: Heather Monroe

  Self-Published By: Heather Monroe

  Published: 12/2014

  Printed By: Create Space

  Edited by: Precision Editing Group

  Cover Designed by: Book Fuel

  Copyright © 2014 Heather Monroe

  All rights reserved.

  ISBN-13:

  978-0692332467

  CHAPTER ONE

  When I was younger I never thought I would go away for school. As I drove my old and junky Geo further than it had ever gone, it started to sink in. I shook with excitement as I grasped my steering wheel with both my hands.

  Poof! The car jerked as extra smoke burst out of the tailpipe and into the air. I will make it there. Convincing myself wasn’t as hard as convincing Jared, my boyfriend.

  “You OK up there, cutie? I told you, you should’ve just ridden with me.” Jared’s voice came rolling over the two-way radio in an I-told-you-so kind of way.

  I reached one hand to grab the radio. “Hey, my car and I are doing great up here. Plus, I need the car at school so I can get places when you’re not around.” Smiling, I looked up in the rearview mirror to see his expression, but the distance between us was too great. “Let’s get off at the next exit. I’m almost on E.”

  “Sounds good.” Static muffled the response, but not too badly.

  Jared was a bit overprotective, but he wasn’t nearly as bad as my father. In fact, I think the only reason Jared felt he needed to be more attentive was because of my father’s overprotective nature.

  “You stay behind her the whole way there, and don’t you dare let a car get in between you two. When you get there, you make for darn sure she gets to her apartment without getting lost. You understand me, young man?” The way my dad spoke to Jared, just a couple of hours ago, almost made me laugh.

  As the exit came nearer I started to slow. Jared stayed close behind as I brought my car to a stop. When we turned I noticed we weren’t the only two that got off the freeway. Besides Jared’s silver Toyota Tacoma, there was also a white SUV. This looked like a small town, but was still obviously much bigger than my hometown of Pagoda, Colorado. We pulled into the well-maintained six-pump gas station, and I went to one pump while Jared went to another. The amount of gallons that my Geo held was minimal compared to Jared’s Tacoma, so I happily skipped over to him when I was done.

  “We’re halfway there,” I told him with anticipation. “Can you believe we are doing this?” My arms darted in the air, relishing this new freedom. Jared took advantage of this gesture and wrapped his arms around me, picking me up and spinning with me. He gently put my feet back on the ground and then tilted me back into our signature slow dip that won Jared and me first place in the state competition dance.

  Jared is short and small for a guy, only 5'8”, but makes a good dance partner for my 5'2”. We both decided to try to get into the same school so we could be together, and of course continue being dance partners.

  Before Jared rose me back up in a standing position, I noticed the white SUV idling in front of the doors of the gas station. I thought it was odd that they weren’t getting gas, so I turned to get a better look at the car.

  “They didn’t even get gas,” I whispered to Jared, my eyes darting back to the white SUV. Jared looked up briefly to see what I meant as he waited for his receipt.

  “Well, maybe they just had to use the restroom.” He shrugged it off. “Ready to hit the road?”

  I squinted at the SUV. Something didn’t feel right. “They have to get out of their car to use the restroom.” I put my hands on my hips.

  Jared spun me in a circle and pulled me into his chest. He took me into a basic waltz step and danced me back to my car, then opened the door for me to slide in.

  “I’ll follow close behind you.”

  I could only nod, speechless as always when he used that soft tone. He was such a sweetie, with his scruffy brown hair and deep blue eyes. Once again Jared whisked me off my feet and put me back into my comfort zone.

  We left the freeway again as we approached my dorm at school.

  “Cutie?”

  I picked up my radio quickly to respond. “Yup.”

  “I’ll follow you to your dorm to get you settled, and then I’ll head to mine.” His voice was filled with excitement.

  “That’s fine. You know, you don’t really have to babysit me so closely. I mean I know this is my first time away from home, and my dad threatened you and all, but I am a big girl.”

  “I know. You’re the strongest person I’ve ever met, but at least for today, let me honor your father’s wishes.” Static, then a pause went through the radios. “Okay?”

  “Of course.” I pulled into the parking lot filled with other cars and students. I took a deep breath and stepped out of my Geo. The fresh breeze captured my senses, and it felt so right to be here, to start this new chapter of life.

  As we approached the dorms, I noticed a male figure in the parking lot amongst a large number of girls frantically passing back and forth. He wore a black sweatshirt and had his hands in his pockets as he slowly scanned the area. Our eyes locked for just a second as he turned my direction, but he pulled his arms out of his pockets and darted behind a large black truck. He appeared startled, and I couldn’t help notice my heart skip a beat. What was that?

  I felt a warm hand on the center of my back. “Whatcha looking at?” A large welcoming smile spread across Jared’s face.

  After a slight shiver I was able to respond. “Oh . . . nothing . . . let’s go check out the rooms.” It felt silly to mention anything to Jared.

  Ah, room number 22. I pushed the door open and was greeted by a handful of girls.

  “Hi, I’m Melissa, the RA.” She was my complete opposite. Blond, shoulder-length hair, blue eyes, pale skin, and a good head taller than me. “If you need anything, let me know and I’ll be happy to see if I can help. Gretchen, Leah, Sunny, and Tracy are our four roommates. Sunny and Tracy have already picked a room together so yours will be the first one on the left.” She pulled me into a hug and smiled wide, but then looked over my shoulder to look at Jared. “Also, the dorm locks at midnight, so no boys after that. Oh, I almost forgot, what’s your name?”

  “Leah Hawk.” Melissa’s outgoing personality put me in a state of speechlessness.

  “Leah. So I guess that means Gretchen when she comes will be sharing a room with you. But enough of my jibber jabbering. Go get settled and we’ll talk more later.”

  “Yes, thank you. It was good to meet—”

  But before I could finish my sentence she was already bouncing away.

  I looked back at Jared and shrugged my shoulders as I gave him a look that told him I liked her already. He silently laughed, and we went to check out where I would be spending my sleeping hours.

  The next few hours we unloaded my car, filled my new room with my personal stuff, and called my family. Jared left me to unpack while he investigated his own dorm.

  Our day ended with the
two of us going out for pizza and sharing a gentle kiss good-bye at midnight as the dorms were getting locked up.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Instant butterflies filled me as I heard my alarm go off. This was it: the day I started my courses. I heard rustling across from me, so I sat up quickly, surprised to hear the extra noise. I realized it was just my roomie.

  “Gretchen?” I whispered. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.” I hadn’t even met her yet; she’d been fast asleep when I’d gotten back the night before.

  “Ummm . . . It’s OK. I need to get up too . . . but in a minute.” Her sleepiness made it that much harder for me to feel motivated, but this was the first day, and nerves would not let me sleep any longer even if I could.

  I pushed away the covers and headed to the bathroom. Our room was in a very plain, two-story building with whites, beiges, and browns surrounding everything. The one thing I loved was the balcony. It wrapped around the whole building twice, once for each level. Each room held six girls, three bedrooms, one bathroom, a living room, and a kitchen. For us, though, we only had five girls because we lived with the RA and she had her own room.

  Class started early, one right after another. Unlike Jared I liked the mornings and felt I was able to get much more accomplished when I started early. After showering and pulling my long, dark hair back in a ponytail, I went back to my room. Gretchen was up typing on her laptop.

  “Hi! My name is Leah.” With my hands full of shower items, I gave her the most welcoming smile I could.

  “I’m Gretchen. Sorry I was unsocial a bit ago.” She raised her hands to her face, pushing back her brown hair and rubbing her eyes to gesture her sleepiness.

  I waved her apology off. “Totally understand.”

  Gretchen and I talked and got to know each other for a while before I had to get to class.

  With my red backpack swung over my shoulder, I walked with confidence to my first class. As I walked, my phone vibrated in my pocket. Knowing it was Jared, I excitedly pulled it out.

  “Thinking of you. Have a good morning. Love you.” My head stayed low to read his words, but I should have been watching where I was going.

  BAM! An impact made me stumble and almost fall back on my butt. My phone went flying and my bag skidded along the cement sidewalk.

  “I’m so sorry! I’m late, but I should’ve been more careful.” His words faded as he walked past me, his hand up in apology. His large body didn’t waver compared to my petite frame. He just went ahead like nothing happened. Without being able to tell if I hurt physically or just hurt in embarrassment, I looked up to see if anyone else saw the event.

  There he was, leaning against the exterior of the dorm building. The same male figure that I’d seen outside my dorm the day before. Today he still wore a black sweatshirt, but this time he didn’t look as relaxed. His demeanor sent a chill down my spine and tingles down to my fingertips. His fists were tight, his body arched. He looked angry, which scared me. I quickly gathered up my things, trying to ignore his piercing stare, but fear climbed and I couldn’t go fast enough. After gathering my things I hurried away to my destination, but not before glancing once more in his direction. He was gone.

  Classes came and went, but I couldn’t get this mystery guy out of my head. Was it all a coincidence that I saw him twice? He must be a student here, right? What was he doing? Should I be afraid of him? Who was he? Then I thought one last question. Was he the one in the white SUV at the gas station? . . . No way, that can’t be. Why would I even think that? Stupid. Sometimes I am more like my father than I think—paranoid. I pulled my phone out of my pocket to call Jared.

  “Hello, cutie. How was your day?”

  “It was good for the most part; I’m just heading back to my room now. How was yours?”

  “What’s wrong, Leah?”

  “What do you mean?” Jared knew me better than anyone on the planet. We grew up together. We were longtime friends before we even became official. Growing up together in a town with a population of no more than two hundred people meant you knew everybody.

  “I can hear it in your voice. Something is bothering you. What is it?”

  I huffed in response, but told him anyway. “It’s really nothing; I feel dumb just thinking about it. Yesterday when we pulled up to the dorms, I noticed this creepy guy. Then today I spotted him again. Nothing happened, though, and I don’t want you to get all worried about me.” A creepy guy was kind of an understatement. He was more of a mystery man that sent frightening vibes through my body, but I thought I would leave that out.

  “That’s not nothing, Leah! What does he look like?” I could hear the frown in his voice.

  “Tall, dark hair, spooky; but really, Jared, he was far away so I couldn’t see him very well. I don’t think there is anything to worry about. I’m fine. Really.” There was a small pause as I finished trying to convince him that there was nothing he could do.

  “Fine! But if you see him again, even if he stays far away, you will tell me, right?” He sounded more frustrated than before.

  “Yeah, of course I will.”

  “Are you home yet?”

  “I just walked in.”

  “Good, I’m coming over after class. I found out more information about the ballroom tryouts. We can practice some routines tonight. The tryouts are in couple weeks.”

  “Really?” The excitement prevented me from keeping still. I moved the phone in front of me and jumped up and down. “Hurry with your class and get over here; we have work to do."

  Jared’s tension vanished with a laugh. “You got it! See you soon, cutie.”

  ***

  The apartment buzzed with girly laughter and music. The food cooking in the oven made the apartment smell like Thanksgiving dinner.

  “Wow girl, what is all this for?” Gretchen gestured over all the mouthwatering food.

  “I had time on my hands this afternoon.” I continued to fuss over the food that I’d recently bought from the store.

  “Apparently!”

  Melissa was also not far behind. “You know you’re sharing, right? And doing the dishes?”

  An elbow conveniently found Melissa’s ribs with a glare from Gretchen. “Blunt much?”

  “I’m just saying,” she retorted. “Do you want to do the dishes?”

  I couldn’t help but shake my head at two of my newest friends. “Do you really think I can eat all this by myself? Plus, Jared is coming over too.”

  “Jared?” Melissa raised her eyebrow.

  “He was with me yesterday. I should have introduced you two. He should be here . . .” I turned to see the wall clock behind me and then heard a knock at the door. “Now.”

  I grabbed a towel to wipe my hands and then headed to the door.

  “Come in. I’m just finishing up.” I returned to pull out the chicken, shut the timer off, and introduce everyone while I set the table.

  “Well, let’s not wait,” Jared said after we’d all sat down. “Pass the potatoes.”

  “I like how this man thinks,” Melissa chimed in. “Send the rolls my way.”

  The evening turned out perfect. We talked about where we were from, our likes, our dislikes, our families, and our classes. After the good food and company, Melissa and Gretchen were more than happy to do the cleanup.

  “Come on, handsome, we have dancing to do.” I stood and held out my hand to Jared.

  “Yes ma’am.” Jared stood and turned toward the girls. “Thanks, it was great to meet all of you.” His hand found mine, and I guided him to my room.

  “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!” Melissa yelled as we made our way down the hall. Somehow I knew there wasn’t much Melissa wouldn’t do anyways. I bowed my head and giggled off her comment while stepping in my room.

  Jared walked over and pulled me into him, so our faces were inches apart. With one hand on my back, and the other resting at the nape of my neck, he lowered his head slowly until his lips touched mine. Automatically my arms wrap
ped around him while I tried to hold back a smile. He released my lips, and I could feel his grip around me tighten. I smiled and let out a giggle.

  “I don’t think this is why I brought you to my room.”

  He looked at me with desire-filled eyes. “You’re right. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to get carried away.” A smile flashed across his face. He centered his hand on my back and took my right hand in his, holding it in dance position.

  “What’s it going to be? Cha-cha, Swing, Tango, Salsa?”

  “I was thinking Salsa.”

  “I agree.”

  We spent an hour trying different moves and mixing in some routines that we’d already done together in the past. It didn’t take us long to put something together. To add spice, we choreographed a lift at the end. We had a little less than two weeks before we performed in front of judges, so doing steps we already knew would help us look graceful.

  “I guess now we just practice, practice, and practice some more,” I said as I walked over to my CD player to shut it off.

  “That’s right. We’ll run through it a couple times every night. We’ve got this.”

  “Sounds like a plan. You want to come over again tomorrow?”

  “Yup, I wouldn’t miss it.” He picked up his jacket off my bed and then held his arms out for me to slide into.

  “I’ll walk you to the door.”

  I opened the front door for him and reached to touch his arm as he passed. He turned and gave me a kiss that left me breathless.

  “Okay you two, that’s enough,” Melissa said from the living room. I blushed at the same time and looked down at the ground.

  “All right, I’ll see you girls later,” he shouted past me. He looked down at me. “Sweet dreams, cutie,” he whispered and turned to shut the door behind him.

  CHAPTER THREE

  The first week was over. Classes came and went, and school books were pilling up on my desk next to my computer.

  “Gretchen, I’m going to head out. Take a walk or something. These books are making me cross-eyed.” I shut my books and grabbed my grey coat. “I won’t be long.”