On the R.E.A.L

Special Thanks

First and foremost I would like to thank God who is the head of my life and gave me the inspiration to inspire so many other teen girls with the gift of the written word. Thank you to my awesome, amazing, wonderful family for always supporting me. I love you Mom, Dad, Grandma, Ryan and Neah. Thank You Mrs. Michelle Thompson, Authorhouse Book Publishing, Fresh Wind Ministries and House Of Devine Purpose ministries. I would also like to thank YOU the reader for reading! It means so much to me that you decided to give this book a try and I pray that you are truly blessed by the story and the message of this book in such a way that it will inspire you to do great things as well.

~ Najah 

AUGUST

Ryleigh

I woke up to the sound of a voice calling my name. I slightly lifted my head and cracked my right eye open only to see my open window letting the morning sun stream into my room. My older sister, who was standing in the doorway just laughed hysterically. C’mon Ryleigh its time to get up for school. I look up at Rachel who then reached into my room and plucked a pillow from my massive collection only to throw it at me. Hey! I said defensively shielding my face. Pillow fights are illegal this early in the morning. Rachel just smiled and turned back down the hallway. Were leaving in an hour, alright? Whatever. I shot back at her with a sly grin. After my sister walked out of my room and into her own, I finally managed to pick myself up out my comfy bed fighting my way from underneath a mountain of stuffed animals including my favorite stuffed animal, Moses the monkey. I stumbled into my bathroom dizzy from the warzone I had to go through. I yawned, rubbed my eyes to finally see myself standing there in the mirror. I saw my frizzy curly hair and my wrinkles pajama shirt with the huge yellow duck on it. But even though grossness stared me right in the face the thing I saw more than anything was a person who was just about fed up with her life. This year is going to change. I said to myself in the mirror. Mirror held the same expression of seriousness in her face exactly like the one that hung on mine. Fourteen years ago, my dad started a church here in Sea Bridge, California and ever since then I have been known to everyone as the Christian girl. You probably have no idea how hard it is being the only one different when you see everyone else having fun in their lives. Not being invited to parties, not being the first one picked for the sports team all because they know you believe in something they don’t. I took my time getting ready making sure everything is absolute perfection. As soon as I stepped out into the hallway my older brother Ryan who was rushing down the hallway with half of a toaster waffle hanging out of his mouth and his jacket was only on one arm stopped in his tracks. What do you think? I said twirling a bit. Do I look ok? He took a moment quickly scarfing his waffle down to talk. I guess so. You just look different. He said pulling the sleeves of his jacket on. Different as in good right? He looked at me for a moment more. Right… He said, but something about his answer didn’t seem so sure. C’mon kiddos let’s go! Rachel said marching down the hallway right in between Ryan and I. Who made you the school time police. I said sarcastically. Me since I’m the one driving you two brats to school. She said playfully. I think you forget sometimes that were twins. Ryan says to Rachel. I was born first. Get over it. She says playfully. C’mon I don’t want to be late for the first day of senior year, so if you don’t mind… I just have to get my bag. I said hallway into my room. My sister groaned and stamped her foot. Ryleigh Ann Marshall if you’re not out to the car in five minutes you are so walking to school! Hyper down Rachel, its right here. I grab my backpack and was about to leave when something caught my eye. I should have just left without giving it a second look but there it was my bible in its frozen spot on top of my desk. I didn’t even read it today, let alone looked at it until now. I walked out quickly, to catch up with Ryan and Rachel who were already out the door. I kept my eyes glued to what’s in front of me. Church girl Ryleigh is not who I am anymore and today… I’m going to prove it. Look out Pacific Vista, here I come.

Ellie

Ok, I admit it. I’m nervous. I take another sip of my latte that I picked up this morning and check my compact mirror for the hundredth time. What’s the use? My lips were still glossy and hair still flat ironed.

Just like they were four minutes ago… .

I lean back into the cool leather of the limo as if trying to stop the car from bringing me to the reality of high school. Hey Ralph, can you pull up to the front doors? Lenard said he would meet us there. I say my face glued towards the window. Sure thing, Miss. Hart we’ll be there soon. Ralph replied turning the steering wheel, allowing the car to maneuver its way onto the street where school resided. Ralph is my driver, and he’s pretty much taken me everywhere since I was in a stroller. Oh, and Lenard is my bodyguard. I know, I know, I didn’t want to bring him but my dad made me. He thinks public school kids could potentially hurt me or something, but really he’s just worried about himself like always. Just a couple of months ago he begged and pleaded for me to go to Rockwood Prep a private ALL GIRLS boarding school this year so he could appeal to the public as: A father who cares about his daughter’s education and well-being. My parents just want to boot me off to boarding school so they won’t feel guilty for leaving me at home all the time. I’m an only child and they go on all kinds of trips. I think they went to three different cities once in the same day without me. Some parents they are… People think being rich and having a dad who’s the governor of the state is nothing but a dream. But all that glitters really isn’t gold. My cell phone bleeped from my bag and a hurried to dig it out. Looking at the new text, my heart nearly melted. Can’t wait to see you today. I said to myself repeating the words the text message spoke to me. My boyfriend is just… simply the best. Keith and I had met over the summer on my family’s cruse to the Bahamas. I knew when I saw him for the first time, we would be together. When we finally began talking to one another and I found out we lived in the same exact city and I couldn’t have been more excited. We had lunch that afternoon and spent that night gazing up at the stars and by the end of the trip we became inseparable. He asked me to be his girlfriend after the cruse ended and have been dating for three months now. Pacific Vista High School becomes closer in view now and my stomach begins to do flips and twists. Maybe I shouldn’t have gotten a latte this morning. Here you go Miss. Hart. Ralph says to me as I looked out the window. Already? I said unbuckling my seat belt as Ralph opened his door and hustled to my side to open mines. I instantly began seeing curious faces blinking back at me as I step out of the car. Lenard stepped from the corner from which he resided as he began barking the commands to my people who began parting their ways. C’mon people let’s move, let’s move! Miss. Ellie has to find her homeroom. Through my stride down the hall I hear a voice behind me: Hey beautiful. I spin around, to find my boyfriend Keith standing behind me. His shaggy hair still wet from his morning shower made the slight waves in his hair hang down in his face making him look totally adorable. You look great. He said to me smiling. Well that’s a step up compared to how not so great I feel right now. Keith looked at me. His green eyes steady on mines. You’re nervous? I nodded my head. More than ever. I felt his hand embrace mine with a tight squeeze. Me too. So, let’s do this together. With Keith and Lenard not too far away, we breezed down the hall hand in hand.

Amy

Both of my parents have never seen eye to eye since they have been together. It was just until recently things begin to get even worse. So it ended with a divorce, bags packed, and plane tickets from my home in Detroit, Michigan to Sea Bridge, California. My life, as Amy Roberts will officially never be the same.

And I mean that literally.

Over the summer I remember unpacking the stuff we brought with us from Detroit into our tiny two room apartment. Look Amy, they have a bunch of different art classes. You love art. She held Pacific Vista’s red and white brochure in her hands. They have Painting 101, Sculpting and Design… They even have state wide art showcases too. Yeah, that’s great mom. I say slamming a plastic white hanger on the metal rod that hung horizontally in my closet. Our new apartment in Sea Bridge looked like a tornado ran through it with boxes in every corner and clothes splashed everywhere. My mom was still wearing her nurse’s scrubs from the new job she just got and never looked more tired. Amy, please. My mom said taking a seat on my bare mattress that sat in the middle of the floor without a frame. What? I asked. Please don’t do this to me. Ok, I know you’re mad that we had to leave Michigan. But after the divorce we couldn’t afford to live there. So we just had to leave? We had to, there was no other choice. I turned my head away so the tears that stung the corners of my eyes couldn’t be seen. Does she get how hard it’s been for me to move from everything I know? To give up everything I had? It was hard… . I didn’t look at her while she talked, but continued to put clothes in the closet with no response. There was nothing left for us there. She spoke in practically a whisper. Why hasn’t he called? I said to my mom who had gotten up from the mattress and was almost of sight. She stopped walking and turned to face me. I don’t know sweetheart. She said her eyes beginning to tear up. My eyesight became blurry and everything seemed to just glob together. I felt my mom’s embrace and I remember just sobbing in her arms. It hurt to know that someone like your dad just gives up on you, like you weren’t even his to begin with. It sucks. Since we moved I haven’t heard from my dad, not even once. And I’m still counting the days until he picks up the phone and dials for me but until then… All I can do is just wait. The first day of school came faster than ever and it didn’t hit me that I would actually be in high school until this morning with me sitting in my mom’s car… waiting to get out. I look out the window and see the students crowding around the front of the building talking, and laughing with their friends. Well here we are. My mom says putting the car in park as other vehicles zoomed around us It’s going to be fine. She says reaching her arm around me. Try to have some fun, and make some friends! Her deep soulful voice says jokingly. Do I have to go? I mumble. Look at how great of a time you’re going to have. It’s the start of something new. I nodded and slowly unbuckled my seat belt and opened the passenger side of the car. Here goes nothing." I say shutting the door behind me and giving a wave to my mom signaling her that it’s ok for her to leave. Blowing me a kiss she turns the steering wheel and eases her way through the other cars. I smiled and waved her off as I stood there and watched our little green car disappeared down the street. Using all the will power I possibly had to not let myself drop everything I had and run right after her.

Lina

Dreams. Hopes. Wishes. Miricles. Success. Happily Ever After’s aren’t for people like me. I stopped in believing that something could possibly save me a long time ago. I hold the timeworn photo of my brother and me in my hands. It’s rough, torn edges have seemed to have faded away over time, leaving just a square-like