Julia Crane

Keegan had never realized how absolute silence could be in the minutes before dawn. Maybe because the expectation of battle filled the air, not even birds sang.

Her heart fluttered. It had only been a few hours, but it felt like a lifetime since she saw him last. She seriously felt addicted to that boy.

There is a part of me that no one ever sees.I hide behind a mask of heavy make-up and ever-changing hair and clothing. I try to reinvent myself. It doesn__ work. There are times when I am bone-crushingly sad. I just want to curl into a ball and hide from the rest of the world. But, I plaster on a smile and play the game for my family and friends. They call me a free spirit.I wish I were free. I feel like I am imprisoned by my own mind.

Keegan felt nervous as Rourk walked toward her. What should she say? In an instant, he stood in front of her. She felt his fingers trace the side of her face. She looked up into his grey eyes as he leaned down and kissed her.Keegan had kissed boys before, but she__ never felt anything like this.

Why did you do this? You could lose your job or worse._ __ wanted to spend some time alone with you. Tomorrow, you might be leaving for good._ He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. Reluctantly, he pulled away. __ou__e worth the risk.

Rourk didn__ even know her name, but he knew he__ never seen anyone so magnificent in his life. Her wavy hair glistened in the sunlight. She had a delicate, round face with large, blue-green eyes and full lips. With her cheeks flushed from the cold fall air, she reminded him of a porcelain doll. He knew that her looks deceived; her bold, daring eyes gave her away. She constantly observed her surroundings. Rourk smiled to himself; soon they would be together.