Learning to Soar (White Dove Book 3) Read online

  LEARNING TO SOAR

  COVEY PUBLISHING, LLC

  Published by Covey Publishing, LLC

  PO Box 550219, Gastonia, NC 28055-0219

  Copyright © 2019 by Maya William

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the writer, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Cover Design Copyright © 2019 Covey Publishing, LLC

  Book Design by Covey Publishing, LLC, www.coveypublishing.com

  Copy Editing by Covey Publishing, LLC

  Printed in the United States of America.

  ISBN: 978-1-948185-96-7

  First Printing, 2019

  Once upon a time,

  a little girl discovered the world of books

  while learning how to speak a new language;

  what started as hand copying eighty lines didn’t stop there,

  and before she knew it, she continued reading the book,

  craving to know when Anne would give Gilbert a chance.

  Later in life, she would spend time dreaming,

  imagining what happens to the characters once the story ended,

  because sometimes happily ever after wouldn’t cut it.

  This book is dedicated to my husband who encouraged me to write and pursue my dream of becoming an author,

  to my kids, a.k.a my marketing department,

  to my parents and siblings, Mariah, Don Billy, Ale

  (Lucerito’s I did put your names this time *sticks out tongue*)

  and Monica, our angel.

  To the members of the TAFF, Covey, Annie, Hennah, and Melissa

  for believing in this story and helping me enhance it.

  To every single person who finds the courage

  to pursue their dreams and fight for them.

  And to the Big Guy,

  thank you for everything.

  Contents

  1. The Experiment

  2. The Big Bad Wolf

  3. Grounded

  4. Big Guy, Can You Take the Wheel?

  5. Different Kind of News

  6. Scavenger Hunt

  7. Paintball

  8. Up in the Air and Down in the Field

  9. Milestones

  10. The Heart on My Hand

  11. The Cat’s Out of the Bag

  12. The List

  13. Photo Finish

  14. Paso Doble

  15. Confessions and Holy Help

  16. The Sheep

  17. Purr Like a Cat

  18. Freestyle

  19. Teasing

  20. The Stars are being Navigated by Nephilim, Jedi, and Pirates

  21. The Seaweed is Not Always Greener

  22. Shake It Up

  23. Dancing the Night Away

  24. Dance with me tonight

  25. Options

  26. Dancing on my own

  27. Boys are trouble

  About the Author

  Also by Maya William

  Note From The Publisher

  The Experiment

  How do I face Samuel after yesterday’s photoshoot?

  I was on an emotional high between the crazy ballet pose where I climbed into the tree to capture the perfect shot and the up-close-and-personal photos with the guy whose gorgeous dark eyes and wonderful smile makes my heart skip more than one beat.

  The fallen angel, Samuel.

  Obviously, my euphoria came crashing down, taking my pride with it, thanks to Lyra’s final request for her photoshoot.

  Faking a kissing scene.

  Blood rushes straight to my face at the memory of the whole situation and the way my lack of romantic experience was put on public display in front of the one guy who melts my heart.

  Then again, it wasn’t a national secret. Twelve years in an all-girl Catholic school with practically zero contact with the opposite sex kind of gave everyone a heads-up on my current status.

  So far, I’ve managed to avoid Samuel today by getting up earlier than usual to prepare breakfast and hiding in my room with petty excuses, like doing my hair, brushing my teeth, and making my bed.

  One hour down, the rest of my life to go.

  My sister’s voice comes from the other side of the bedroom door. “Samantha, it’s almost time to leave.”

  Oh, rats. I don’t think it’ll be possible to hide forever.

  With a deep breath and, frankly, with a lack of options, I pick up my backpack and drag my feet down the stairs and into the dining room.

  “On Saturday, I scheduled a group exercise at the Field. Please clear your schedules,” Oliver says when I reach the kitchen. “We’ll mix the boys’ and girls’ teams to teach you how to work together as a coed group.”

  Archie grunts and rolls his eyes while he sips his coffee. Lyra’s shoulders slump, and Joy continues tapping on her phone, ignoring Oliver’s order. Zach chuckles, and Abigail straightens her back and juts out her jaw. Barb turns toward Kellan and winks at him.

  I don’t dare look at Samuel. Instead, I keep my gaze on Oliver.

  He analyzes each of their reactions and shakes his head.

  “By the way, Samantha, you’ll come as well,” he mentions without turning my way.

  “What?” a chorus of voices say, followed by some spoons clattering onto plates.

  “Are you nuts?” Archie’s sky-blue eyes widen big as saucers.

  Joy’s head snaps toward Oliver, her phone completely forgotten. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

  Zach shakes his head madly. “Oliver, she doesn’t know how to operate a gun.”

  Abigail’s eyebrows knit together as she eyes Oliver defiantly. “She can’t.”

  “She might get injured. Maria and my mom will shoot us if she does.” Samuel’s voice brings the color straight to my cheeks.

  “She’s not used to working with teams,” Kellan points out in a serious voice.

  “And she doesn’t own the proper clothing for this activity,” Barb brings up.

  “Adding Samantha will make the teams uneven with one team having more experienced members,” Lyra adds.

  “Oh! You all finally agree on something.” Oliver raises his eyebrows, and one corner of his lips quirk up. “Then, it’s settled. Samantha, you’ll join us. Lyra, work with her on the principles of shooting a gun today and tomorrow. Barb, you can purchase the basic items she needs for the Field. Kellan, the only way she’ll learn is by teaching her how. Samuel, if you can do it, so can she. Lyra, I’ll work on the central control area to make up for one of the teams having a less experienced shooter. Abigail, she can. Any other concerns I need to address?”

  Everybody stays quiet.

  I raise my shaking hand.

  Oliver nods at me. “Samantha?”

  “What are we doing on Saturday?”

  Oliver chuckles. “We’re playing a little game called follow the leader. Be ready to get yourself muddy.”

  That didn’t explain anything.

  “Now, everybody, we need to get to class.” Oliver rises from his seat, putting an end to the discussion.

  After the whole switched baby fiasco on Tuesday with Abraham Tribecca and Scarlett Kirk, I consider skipping Biology class. However, the nagging li
ttle voice called my conscience makes me walk straight to the laboratory door.

  When I enter the classroom, a strange vibe hits me and sends a shiver down my spine. The tingly sensation increases when my gaze falls on several students who narrow their eyes on me, then shake their heads.

  I did nothing wrong, Big Guy, yet they’re making me feel like the villain in that whole baby-exchange drama.

  My hand tightens around the strap of my backpack as I hurry to my seat, hoping something new happens and the drama around me becomes old news.

  The whispers die when Bennedick and Legolas enter the lab. Legolas keeps his head held high and walks to our table with confidence. Bennedick, on the other hand, slumps his shoulders and keeps his eyes on the floor as he joins us.

  If I feel bad sharing a few classes with the juniors, I’ll bet he’s miserable.

  I sigh and decide to cut him some slack.

  “Hey partner,” I greet him with a smile.

  When his gaze meets mine, I pat the chair next to me.

  He chuckles and, with a small smile, joins me.

  The bell sounds, and Mr. Smith enters. His presence quiets the room.

  “Okay, class!” He claps his hands together, bringing the students’ attention to him. His eyes glint with mischief. “Unless somebody still feels the urge to get pregnant, we’ll continue with our class on contraceptive methods. I’ll give a quick lecture on the different options, starting with the Billings method—which I would personally like to call the Russian roulette since there’s a lot of factors to take into account for it to work properly—and finishing with…a lab exercise.” He chuckles at the last part.

  Big Guy, I don’t like when Mr. Smith arrives this cheerful to class. Last time, I ended up with a sympathy belly and a fake baby. I feel it in my bones; he’s planning another unusual lab like the baby one.

  During the whole lecture, I squirm in my seat as Mr. Smith explains various contraceptive methods quite explicitly. Most of them make me cringe, but the blushing starts when he discusses the female condom.

  As our teacher explains vasectomies, Bennedick’s and Legolas’s hands cover their manly parts in a synchronized move, and my hands fly to my mouth to keep my laughter at bay.

  “Guys, let me reassure you, your manhood will not be affected by this procedure, and if needed, it’s reversible. But you shouldn’t take it lightly. Keep in mind, it’s painful to have the procedure done, and it’s also painful to reverse.” He eyes several guys in class. “And if you get it, make sure your sperm count is zero before having unprotected sex. That’s how daughter number two got here,” he jokes, and the students chuckle, lightening the mood. “However, take into consideration that this doesn’t protect you from an STD, only from getting a girl pregnant. Now, here comes the fun part.”

  From behind his desk, he brings out a container of bananas.

  “It’s important for boys and girls to get this right if you plan on using a male condom.” He deposits three bananas on our table and moves to the next one, leaving one for each student. “For today’s lab, we’ll practice putting one on exhibit A.” He brings a banana up and waves his hand around it as if it was an expensive piece of jewelry.

  Nooooo!

  Snickers come from the back of the classroom.

  Meanwhile, my blush goes straight to my feet.

  I can´t help but wonder if the banana is…scaled to the right size.

  “Please avoid using the condoms like balloons.” Mr. Smith goes to his desk and places the trash can on top of his desk. “And once they’re opened and used for the lab, you need to dispose of them in this. Don’t keep them as souvenirs. And FYI, I will take an inventory.”

  “Mr. Smith?” Knightley asks from the back of the class. “This isn’t anatomically correct.”

  Oh, thank God! The oxygen finds its way back into my lungs.

  “It should be bigger,” he finishes, making the rest of the class laugh, except me.

  What?

  “Mr. Dawson, I believe we can work with what I provided, assuming it’s an average size. Plus, size doesn’t matter,” Mr. Smith adds.

  “Said no woman ever,” a girl replies, making the rest of the class laugh.

  “For the experiment!” Mr. Smith amends, holding back his laughter and failing to chastise her.

  Oh, Big Guy, my face is going to be permanently red, and the worst part is the next time I see a guy, I’ll be wondering if his package is the size of the… Please stop the mental images!

  Our teacher walks by and deposits a small, square, foil packet in front of me while I figuratively die of shame.

  I can do this. It’s just a simple experiment.

  Mr. Smith explains about expiration dates, the quality of the package, and its contents as easily as if he was telling us how to check a cereal box.

  “Now, open the package using the easy-tear edge,” he continues.

  To stop the temptation to bang my head against the table, I picture myself opening an M&M’s bag instead of a condom.

  “Be careful. Open it with your hands and avoid using your teeth or knives. Don’t let your passion be your downfall. Remember, if you break it, the party’s over.”

  Passion? How about a nervous breakdown?

  Then, he explains the proper way to roll down the condom on the…ahem…banana. He continues talking, noting in full detail all the manly parts, sending my mind into overdrive.

  Do the parts of a male anatomy count as bad words? At Saint Magdalene, I’d be chastised if I spoke them freely, except in Biology… Oh! Ha-ha-ha, I’m in Biology class, duh!

  The longer he lectures us, the more interesting the ceiling becomes, since I can’t for the life of me meet my teacher’s or classmates’ eyes. His lips continue to move, but for my own peace of mind, I decide to shut off my brain.

  He claps his hands together, ending the lecture and bringing my attention back to the class. “Now, guys, it’s your turn to place the condom on the banana.”

  With shaking hands, I grab the condom.

  This lab would never be part of the Saint Magdalene curriculum. If the nuns could see me now, they’d probably have a heart attack.

  “Now, girls, keep in mind to handle the condom carefully. Any small tear in the latex and the protection it could provide goes down the drain.” Mr. Smith wiggles his fingers. “Be careful with those nails.”

  Jeez!

  Bennedick, who already finished placing the…gulp…condom on the banana, stares expectantly at me.

  Oh, BG! I’m dying here.

  With shaky hands, I take the aforementioned item and place it on top of the banana.

  “You’re doing it wrong.” Bennedick chuckles. “It won’t roll that way.”

  I don’t want it to roll! I want to leave the lab this instant and forget this ever happened.

  Nervously, I turn to avoid his gaze only to meet Legolas’s.

  Great! More of an audience!

  By now, my face is red as a tomato and hot, and the shakiness in my hands doesn’t help me regain my wits. Thankfully, my torture doesn’t last long.

  “Nicely done, Miss Melbourne,” Mr. Smith declares when he passes by our table.

  Still shocked by the whole experiment, I acknowledge his words with a curt nod.

  “Done like a pro!” a male voice shouts from behind me. “But it’s to be expected, given all her experience.”

  My head jerks in the direction the voice came from, my face fifty shades of red.

  “Who said that?” Mr. Smith asks furiously.

  “Frederik! That’s rude!” a girl with curly brown hair shrieks at the back of the classroom as she points a finger at a tall guy, who glares at her.

  Mr. Smith’s stern eyes fix on him. “That’s it, Mr. Sullivan, go to the principal’s office.” He points toward the door.

  The guy shrugs, grabs his backpack, and leaves.

  However, the harm has been done. A loud murmur circulates the classroom. Bennedick and Legolas glare around th
e room, but it doesn’t quiet the whispers.

  Please, Big Guy, let this not be the next rumor to run wild.

  The Big Bad Wolf

  When I reach math class, tears brim in my eyes, and I slump down in my seat, taking my books out. As Mr. Perry teaches, I keep telling myself Frederick’s comment isn’t the end of the world. It’s just a small comment that everyone will forget by lunchtime.

  After the bell rings, I skip the cafeteria to allow the gossip to die out sooner and seek refuge in one of the forgotten corners of the library, between the big shelves of books.

  Out of sight, out of mind, as they say.

  A voice at the other side of the bookshelf disrupts the quiet of the library, undoing all of my efforts to calm down.

  “Loser, either you come out or we go in!”

  Curiosity begs for me to peek through the books, and when I do, the back of a boy’s neck greets me and partially blocks my view of the other side of the bookshelf.

  “You thought you could hide from us?” A big, blond guy with a red face appears through the gap. “You’re going to regret not giving us the right answer during that test.”

  “I-I-I-I made a mistake. The equation was hard.”

  “You shouldn’t be wrong, loser. You know what it gets you.”

  “I tried to fix it. I passed a note with the correct answer on it before you handed in the test,” the smaller kid mumbles.

  “Not good enough!” the blond kid hisses. “You could get us in loads of trouble, and we need good grades to be in the swim team.”

  “I-I-I-I-I’m sorry.”

  Don’t apologize. If they want good grades, they should work for them!

  The blond guy pulls the smaller one closer, opening my line of sight and allowing me to see a couple of other guys behind them.