Leaving Home
A Middle Grade Fiction Novel ~ In Progress~
I just might strangle my brother. I run toward the school gym simultaneously taking off my backpack and my bike helmet while thinking that he has done it again. My cell phone dings.
“WHERE ARE YOU, ANDI SCOTT?” the text from Lauren reads. She will just have to wait. I will be there in two minutes, or at least I will be if I can open the door. Come on! It opens with a push from the other side. Hannah Crosby saunters out, sees me and says, “You better hurry. This will be twice this week.” The smirk on her face makes her look ugly. I’m okay with that.
The sound of my footsteps taunt me as I hurry into the locker room and throw my things onto a shelf. Only half make it there. I bite my lip to keep from yelling. Lauren’s frown is almost a tangible force as she steps in front of the door with her arms crossed, blocking the exit. “What is going on, Andi? If we’re not out there in five seconds, coach is gonna give us extra work.”
Andi Scott’s greatest desire is to be captain of her middle school track team. But before spring, she finds out that her Air Force father has received orders to move to another base. And her little brother starts having weird symptoms. While her best friend is supportive at first, tensions rise when Andi isn’t invited to an outing. Her best friend’s parents, oblivious to the relationship strain, offer to let Andi stay with them for the rest of the school year so that she can run track and graduate from eighth grade with her friends. But with everything changing, what will Andi choose?