Essence

by A. L. Waddington

  PRAISE FOR ESSENCE

  “A. L. Waddington has taken the basics of the human psyche and creatively morphed them into a narrative that is both familiar and jarring. Like Jocelyn, the reader is thrust back and forth between stable reality and uncertain fantasy. Waddington uniquely captures the tumultuous nature of adolescence: the maddening taste of first love, the conflicting urges of youth and maturity, the tortured struggle for one’s identity. Young readers will instantly relate to the challenges faced by the charters in ‘Essence’.”

  ~Kevin Rand, PhD, Psychology Department, Purdue School of Science, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

  “A. L. Waddington’s book is unique and interesting with characters I can relate to!”

  ~Caitlin A. Janus, Avon Middle School South, Eight Grade

  “This is an entertaining book that captures the spirit of youth and makes you wonder if there is more to those moments of déjà vu than you thought.”

  ~Patricia Clark, PhD, Biology Department, Purdue School of Science, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

  “A very interesting look into our perception of reality and what happens when things suddenly are not what they seem. The world Jocelyn thinks she knows changes dramatically with the realization that she actually is living two different, but interconnected lives, in different times. As the boundaries between her two realities begin to crumble, she begins to question her own sanity. While reading the novel, one begins to ask the same question, ‘What exactly is our reality and how do we fit into the much larger scheme of things?’ ”

  ~Bethany Neal-Beliveau, PhD, Psychology Department, Purdue School of Science, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis.

  “It was Captivating! ‘Essence’ is so much more than your typical boy meets girl story. Don’t miss.”

  ~Cynthia Hensley, YA author and Silver Medalist with Independent Book Publishers Association, the Benjamin Franklin Award, in Category of New Voice for “Echoes of Pemberley”.

  ESSENCE

  THE EVE SERIES

  BOOK ONE

  A. L. WADDINGTON

  Booktrope Editions

  Seattle, WA 2014

  COPYRIGHT 2011, 2014 A. L. WADDINGTON

  This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 Unported License.

  Attribution — You must attribute the work in the manner specified by the author or licensor (but not in any way that suggests that they endorse you or your use of the work).

  Noncommercial — You may not use this work for commercial purposes.

  No Derivative Works — You may not alter, transform, or build upon this work.

  Inquiries about additional permissions

  should be directed to: info@booktrope.com

  Cover Design by Greg Simanson

  Previously published as Essence, Tate Publishing, 2011

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to similarly named places or to persons living or deceased is unintentional.

  PRINT ISBN 978-1-62015-205-8

  EPUB ISBN 978-1-62015-301-7

  Library of Congress Control Number: 2014900487

  Table of Contents

  COVER

  PRAISE FOR ESSENCE

  TITLE PAGE

  COPYRIGHT PAGE

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  DEDICATION

  CHAPTER 1

  CHAPTER 2

  CHAPTER 3

  CHAPTER 4

  CHAPTER 5

  CHAPTER 6

  CHAPTER 7

  CHAPTER 8

  CHAPTER 9

  CHAPTER 10

  CHAPTER 11

  CHAPTER 12

  CHAPTER 13

  CHAPTER 14

  CHAPTER 15

  CHAPTER 16

  CHAPTER 17

  CHAPTER 18

  CHAPTER 19

  CHAPTER 20

  CHAPTER 21

  CHAPTER 22

  CHAPTER 23

  CHAPTER 24

  CHAPTER 25

  CHAPTER 26

  CHAPTER 27

  CHAPTER 28

  CHAPTER 29

  CHAPTER 30

  AUTHOR BIO

  PREVIEW OF ENLIGHTENED, THE EVE SERIES, BOOK TWO

  MORE GREAT READS FROM BOOKTROPE

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  A very special thank you to Beth Neil-Beliveau for your compassion, for keeping me grounded, and for listening to countless hours of my rambling. You have been a great friend and mentor over the years. And to Cindy Williams for all your help in the historic elements of this story; you are truly a kind person who always has a smile for everyone! Also to Kevin Rand for his proofreading skills and objective eye; you are an amazing professor! A huge thanks to Pat Clark for your patience and tact during a crisis, for being my lifeboat, and for drilling me endlessly on the suspension of disbelief. “Essence” would not have been the same without your input and feedback, and I love you for it! A giant thanks to Larry Cooper and Tony Gude for your unbelievable patience, skills, and talent in photography and design. You put so much passion and care in your work and did an amazing job. A big thank you to Max Engling for being the role model and inspiration of the type of man I inspired to create in Jackson. You are a true gentleman! Lots of love and thanks to Calum McDonald, Heather Ludviksson and Jesse James Freeman for their faith in my work. To Greg Simanson, who did outstanding artwork on the cover design. I cannot tell you how much I love your work. And I cannot forget the cheerleader of our team, Christina Boyd, whose voice can be heard from all corners. Thank you so much for all your hard work and devotion in making my work successful. Plus, a deep heartfelt thank you to Keifer Marsh for your expertise in football, taking the time to spell it out for me, and for being the amazing young man you are! You are the sunshine in my life! Also to Joslyn Marsh for all your collaboration on the characters, your unique twist in design, and for working with Keifer on the humorous dialogue between siblings. You are a pure joy. A great big hug and kiss for Alyssa Marsh for your unwavering belief in my writing and talking me through the times when I didn’t know where the story was going. You are my guiding star in life! And most of all to Ty White. Thank you dearly for sending me endless texts of your love, support, and belief in me, for picking me up when I’ve stumbled, dusting me off, and shoving me in the right direction. You believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself and that is everything! I love you more than words can express. And last but certainly not least, thank you to all my friends and family for always being there through the good times and sticking around for the others as well. I love you all!

  For my loving and amazing husband, Ty: you are my rock and the foundation of my life. For my comedic son, Keifer; my soldier boy who constantly enhances my sense of humor and taught me how to take risks. For my daughter, Alyssa: you forcefully taught me patience and have shown me that anything is possible if you believe it is. And last but certainly not least, for my youngest, Joslyn: you always have a story to tell and have shown me how to color outside the lines. For all that you are, thank you all your patience, love and understanding while I was lost in Denialville.

  CHAPTER 1

  Saturday, October 10, 2009

  I SLAMMED MY HAND across the top of my alarm clock as it started blaring at me, waking me at seven. I kicked off my covers with a groan and headed to the bathroom. After pulling my long, reddish-brown hair up in a ponytail and throwing on an old pair of sweat shorts and a T-shirt, I headed for the kitchen to scrounge up some breakfast, still half asleep.

  My father, Shane, greeted me from behind his morning paper and coffee. “Good morning, sleepyhead.”

  “Wha
t are you doing up so early?” I asked while I got out a bowl, filling it to the top with cereal before drowning it in milk.

  “Your mother wants me to clean out the garage today. It’s going to be an all-day job,” he grumbled.

  “Good luck with that!” I sat down across the breakfast nook.

  “Did you sleep at all last night? You look really tired.” He looked at me for the first time.

  “Yeah. Just slept hard, I guess,” I answered before taking a bite.

  “You should go to bed early tonight. Get some rest.”

  “Okay, Doc.” I smiled at him.

  “I’m telling you as your father.” He smirked back at me.

  Shane worked at the hospital but strictly handled the business end of it. He had his doctorate, not his medical degree, unlike my mother, Amy, who was a pediatrician. He was some kind of vice president of compliance. I honestly had no clue to what he really did. Nor did I really care.

  “Well, I’ve got to get going. Can’t be late. Coach Smith is on a rampage because of Thursday’s meet.” I sighed heavily and put my bowl in the sink. “I don’t know why she’s making us practice on a Saturday. It’s ridiculous!” Shane laughed from behind his paper. “Just because Jessica screwed up we all have to pay the price.”

  Jessica, whose mother worked in the school office, was only on the volleyball team because of her mother’s association with the school; she had no coordination whatsoever and had nearly blown the meet for us, almost ruining our perfect season.

  “It’s part of being a team.” Shane glanced over the top of his paper with a slight smile. “You driving Jenna?”

  “I think so.” I fumbled around, looking for my car keys.

  Shane put his paper aside and followed me out to the garage. My best friend, Jenna Burk, was already waiting in the driveway for me; she only had to walk over from next door.

  The chilly October morning was crisp with the ground completely covered with morning dew. I pulled my jacket closer around me, thinking of the Indian summer that had ended two days earlier. Fall had now settled in for the duration. Days of cute tank tops and shorts were over until next May. Despite my love of fall with all its brilliant colors, I loathed winter with a vengeance.

  We climbed into my maroon, 2004 Grand Prix that I’d gotten for my seventeenth birthday.

  “Good morning, chica,” Jenna greeted me happily as she climbed into the passenger seat.

  How anyone could be so happy so early was beyond my comprehension.

  I grunted and half grinned in response, pulling my sunglasses out of my purse even though there really wasn’t much sunshine. I pulled out of the driveway and drove the short two miles to our high school.

  We joined the rest of our sleepy teammates in the locker room. I was sitting down on the bench, putting on my kneepads, when Jenna sat down beside me, grinning from ear to ear.

  “Did you notice the sold sign on the Davison estate? Can you believe it finally sold?” She raised an inquisitive eyebrow at me.

  “Huh?” I looked over at her, confused. My brain hadn’t begun processing anything yet.

  “The Davison estate across the street finally sold.” She beamed.

  “Oh.”

  The Davison family had moved out midsummer, leaving the beautiful, old mansion empty after the discovery of a racy scandal between the married Mr. Davison, a high-profile business attorney, and an up-and-coming assistant district attorney who was at least twenty years his junior.

  “I wonder who bought it,” she said, more to herself than me.

  “Don’t know,” I muttered and shrugged.

  ***

  Three and a half hours later we drug our exhausted sweaty selves back to the locker room. Everyone was anxious to leave and get on with their Saturday.

  “Any plans for the rest of the day?” Jenna asked.

  “Caitlyn and I are heading over to Cody’s around two. Zak and he were talking about maybe going to a movie or something later.” Hilary Wade kicked off her shoes.

  Hilary’s boyfriend, Cody Porter, was our football team’s star wide receiver. Caitlyn’s boyfriend, Zak Engling, was the starting varsity quarterback and team captain.

  “So are you and Zak back together?” I inquired.

  “Again.” Hilary laughed aloud, causing Caitlyn to glare back at her.

  Caitlyn was head over heels for Zak, and we all knew it. However, his standing on the football team had inflated his ego to the point that it was causing problems in their relationship. He would do or say something stupid, and Caitlyn would break up with him. But in the end, she always took him back.

  “Yeah. He’s trying to behave,” Caitlyn muttered under her breath. Eager to change the subject, she turned her focus in my direction. “So when are you going to start dating, Jocelyn?”

  I was placing my kneepads and shoes in my locker when her words caught me completely off guard. “Haven’t found anyone I’m interested in,” I casually responded, shrugging my shoulders. “Besides, I really don’t have the time.”

  I knew they didn’t buy my excuse. In all fairness, there wasn’t anyone in particular at our school I was interested in. I had been asked out by several different guys in the last two years, but I’d always found a reason to turn them down. I was tired of all the immature high school crap and the way couples only lasted briefly. The couples who did stay together always seemed to fill their relationships full of petty drama, and I didn’t want to waste my time.

  “You’re just being too picky, Jocelyn.” Jenna teased, putting her things in the locker next to mine. “There are some really cute guys here, and you could have any one of them.”

  I glanced over at Hilary, rolling my eyes and making her giggle.

  “I saw that,” Jenna scolded.

  “You want to walk home?” I teasingly asked Jenna, who playfully shoved me in return.

  “Sure.” She stuck her tongue out at me over her shoulder in a purely childish gesture before walking over to the mirror to check her reflection and adjust her long, brown hair, which was pulled up in a ponytail that hung several inches past her shoulders.

  Caitlyn joined her briefly to make sure her own blonde locks were in check. Caitlyn really should have been a cheerleader. Her tall, thin stature made us all envious. She probably would have been if it weren’t for the fact that Taylor Perry was the captain of the squad. If there was anyone who truly believed she was queen of our school, it was Taylor; and her little crony, Dakota Anderson, was certainly the princess.

  Hilary popped in between the two of them, making a face at the reflection that stared back at her before she quickly turned away. Hilary, who was shorter than the rest of us, hated her shoulder-length, unruly, curly, red hair. She would have killed to have Caitlyn’s gorgeous hair more so than the rest of us.

  Once back in my car, I was eager to get home and jump into the shower. I felt so gross covered in sweat. Jenna flipped through the radio stations absentmindedly.

  “Are you spending the day with Kyle?” I asked, pulling out of the school parking lot.

  “Probably.” She shrugged.

  Jenna and Kyle had been dating since the beginning of our freshman year, and she was crazy about him. He was only a couple inches taller than her five-foot-seven-inch frame with dirty-blonde hair that had the longer, messy look to it; and his light-brown eyes were almost golden. Despite having the build, Kyle didn’t play football. His sport of choice was tennis, but he would occasionally play basketball with Jenna and me in my driveway.

  Kyle and his family had moved in next door on the other side of me when we were all in the second grade. After growing up with him always around, I looked at him as more of a brother than anything else and was shocked when the two of them had started dating.

  ***

  The hot water from the shower soothed my aching muscles as I absorbed the heat. I remained in there until all of it was gone. I climbed out of the tub very aware of the fact that my legs felt like rubber and were in constant pain
. My arms felt sore and stiff. I climbed into my comfy sweats and went down to search up some lunch.

  I settled on the couch in the sunroom with a smoked ham and provolone cheese Panini, carrot sticks with ranch dressing, and a cold glass of peach tea. I flipped on the television and surfed through the channels and found The Breakfast Club just starting. It was one of my favorite movies.

  Once I was finished with my lunch, I placed the plate on the coffee table and rolled over to get even more comfortable. The house was quiet for a change and the warm, afternoon sun was glowing through the windows. It wasn’t long before I drifted off into a sound sleep.

  A short time later, I was abruptly awakened by Jenna. She jumped on my stomach, scaring me half to death.

  “Ah! Get your fat butt off me!” I smacked her across her back.

  “Are you going to sleep all day?”

  “What do you care?” I glared up at her before rolling over with my back to her. She knew how much I hated being awakened.

  She was dancing with excitement, barely able to contain herself. “I care because there’s something I want to show you.”

  I didn’t bother to roll back over. “Nothing is that important.”

  “Ah. Come on. The new neighbors are here.”

  “Who?”

  “Across the street.”

  I was too tired and worn out from practice to care about who was moving into the old Davison house.

  “The moving truck is parked out front. They started unloading it around noon today. I’ve been watching them from my house, but I can’t see anything.” Jenna’s voice picked up an octave. “Come on,” she begged. “I can’t even tell who’s moving in.”

  I tried to rub the sleep out of my eyes. “What time is it?”

  “Three-thirty.”

  I reluctantly rolled back over to face her. “Explain why I should care.”