Read Online Inspire by Heather Buchine - Free Book Online Page A

to brag or make myself out to be a goody-two-shoes.
    “So, do you work here all summer?” I asked, wanting to change the subject and put him in the spotlight.
    “Yes, I fill in for my dad whenever necessary and then I run all of the youth events,” he said, gesturing his hand toward the party. I looked over and noticed the two girls were now just hanging onto the edge listening to our conversation. The nerves started to build in my stomach, but I had to remember not to let them get the best of me.
    “That’s great. Do you enjoy it?”
    “I do. I love being out here, and it helps out my dad a lot so it’s all good,” he said.
    “It’s pretty great out here. Especially the lake, I’m in love,” I admitted and then the next thing I knew I was being drenched with cold water.
    “What the hell!” Travis jumped up and turned towards the pool. “What was that for Ash?” he yelled and I realized that the girls had just splashed us. I was still trying to wipe my eyes and then looked down to see that my notebook was soaking wet.
    “Oh no!” I cried, jumping up to grab the towel from my chair to dry off the notebook.
    The girls were laughing and called back, “You looked like you needed to cool off,” as they made their way back down to the deep end. I was preoccupied trying to get my belongings dry and was worried about my dance notebook. It held over thirty of my dances and I couldn’t lose them.
    Travis turned to help get my things situated. “Sorry about that!” he said in all sincerity. “Is your book ruined?” he asked, noticing that I was frantically trying to dry it.
    “It’s soaked.”
    “I’m sorry, it’s important isn’t it?” I could hear the concern in his voice and I looked up to see it showing on his face.
    “Yes,” I answered, unable to disguise my sadness. I started to feel tears prick my eyes, so I wanted to remove myself from the situation. “I’m going to go to the bathroom and see if I can get it dried off with one of the blow dryers.”
    I gathered up my things to leave and was turning to head toward the bathroom when I felt Travis stop me. “Can I help Paige?” He reached out to touch my arm and our eyes met. I felt a tear slip down my cheek, but when I saw the tender expression on Travis’s face I began to calm. His kindness was like a magic potion that soothed me.
    “No, it’s fine. I’m going to go see what I can do,” I said and then made my exit.
    I spent a good twenty minutes trying to dry my notebook under the hand dryers in the bathroom. The book seemed like it was going to be okay. The pages were a little stiff, but none of the writing had bled so I could still read everything. Thank goodness ! I thought and picked up the rest of my belongings to leave.
    I was just about to open the door when Ashley came rushing in. My nerves exploded in my stomach when I saw her because I wasn’t sure if she was coming in to give me more grief. She was frantic and I could see panic on her face as she rushed by me and went straight into one of the stalls. “No!” she shrieked and I was instantly worried that something was wrong.
    “Ashley, are you okay?” I asked, trying to be friendly and wanting to make sure she was all right.
    “No,” she snapped back.
    “Is there anything I can do? Do you need something?” I wanted to be helpful but had no idea what was wrong.
    “Do you have a towel or something?” she reluctantly asked from behind the door.
    “Yes, why?”
    “I got my period and bled through my suit. That’s why,” she shouted, clearly taking her frustration out on me.
    I instantly felt for her. It’s a girl’s worst nightmare to be caught without protection and have a revealing stain show through your clothes. “My towel is soaking wet, so it might not work. Why don’t you take my cover up? It’s dark and you can just tie it around your waist,” I proposed, giving her a different option.
    “How am I going to explain that to everyone? What, I went in the