Senior Year at Trimouth Academy changes everything for Anastasia Gardenwood. As if reeling from her break-up with her beau, Elijah, is not enough, Ana is forced to spend another year at odds with her arch-nemesis and stepsister, Penelope Barker.
Ana is thrown into chaos when she discovers that she is pregnant with Elijah's child, despite taking all necessary precautions. Tensions rise and calamity ensues when Ana and Elijah discover that Penny had a role to play in Ana's pregnancy.
Secrets and deception abound in the town of Willowdale -- but the truth always comes out, one way or another.
Senior Year at Trimouth Academy changes everything for Anastasia Gardenwood. As if reeling from her break-up with her beau, Elijah, is not enough, Ana is forced to spend another year at odds with her arch-nemesis and stepsister, Penelope Barker.
Ana is thrown into chaos when she discovers that she is pregnant with Elijah's child, despite taking all necessary precautions. Tensions rise and calamity ensues when Ana and Elijah discover that Penny had a role to play in Ana's pregnancy.
Secrets and deception abound in the town of Willowdale -- but the truth always comes out, one way or another.
Chapter One
  The warm rays of sunshine settled softly over the subdivision. Though it was supposed to be a crisp Fall day, the sunny atmosphere and gentle breeze still held the lingering effects of Summer. It was still September, after all â but change was coming, and the weather waited for no one.
  Just as the seasons changed and couldnât hold on forever, it looked like the same was true for people.
  Ana pulled her bookbag close, trying to forget about how much everything would be changing now. It was her third day of school, her first week back since Summer Break, but it was the last first week of high school sheâd ever have.
  Not that sheâd particularly miss high school all that much, however. Sheâd miss English class and writing essays about The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn; sheâd miss grabbing a quick coffee across the street before first period; sheâd miss dance practice after school.
  But she wouldnât miss the cliques; feeling trapped in this small town; and worrying about which post-secondary institution sheâd attend.
  âWait up, kiddo! Want a ride to school?â
  Ana turned around. She was almost out the door. She was running a little late for school â but she wasnât really looking forward to getting thereâŠ
  She hesitated. Sheâd wanted to be by herself for a while longer â but it was really hard to say ânoâ to her stepfather, Ted.
  âSure,â she answered him, after what felt like a long time. But his smile widened, and she realized that not much time had passed, after all.
  Sometimes, she got stuck in her own head, and seconds felt like eons.
  âGreat,â Ted grinned. âPennyâs on her way down. We can all go together.â
  Ana tried to smile back at Ted. âOkay,â she affirmed.
  It was no secret that Ana did not get along well with her stepsister, Penny. And the last thing she wanted was to be stuck in a vehicle â moving or not â with Tedâs daughter.
  Ana still did not know how such a nice, caring man like Ted could spawn a seventeen year-old quite like Penelope. But, plenty of things in this world were inexplicable.
  What seemed like hours later, Penny was skipping down the stairs; donning a micro mini skirt paired with a blue top and high boots.
  Penny pretty much looked and acted the opposite of Ana, especially today.
  âCome on, Pen,â Ted stated, giving her a light tap on the back as she passed him, âyouâre going to make your sister late for school.â
  âStep-sister,â Penny corrected him hotly, over her shoulder. She breezed past Ana and opened the door to the house; almost bumping into Ana as she went.
  âCome, now,â Ted answered, his happy tone cut down a notch or two.
  Ana fought the urge to stick up for Ted.
  It wasnât fair that Penny kept trying to kick up a fuss around Ted and Anaâs mom regarding her ongoing feud with Ana. Ana didnât want to drag their parents into it â so out of respect for them, she tried hard not to bicker with Penny when their parents were in the house.
  But Penny, of course, did not have that kind of respect for her own father.
  It wasnât fair. Ana would give anything to say âgood morningâ to her dad again. Penny just didnât seem to care enough about Ted.
  âWant to get a coffee on the way?â Ted asked, closing the door to his SUV and turning on the ignition. He drove a sleek, black Ford Explorer. But since it was an older model, Penny âdidnât like being seen in itâ.
  âIâm craving a lattĂ©,â Penny responded flatly â as if Ted should know that by now.
  Ana fought the urge to tell Penny that she was being inconsiderate. Ted had just discovered that he had high blood pressure. He was trying to cut down on his caffeine intake. âEvery little bit helpsâ, heâd say.
  It wasnât fair that Penny was going to make him drive to the nearest fancy coffee chain in town, just to have him pay five bucks for her small lattĂ©. And, worst of all, Ted wouldnât be able to buy any coffee for himself.
  But of course, Ted was agreeable. âSure thing,â he replied. âGotta have your jolt, eh?â He then turned his head briefly, to look at Ana. âThat okay with you?â he asked.
  âYeah,â Ana finally asserted, hearing her phone vibrate from the zipper pocket of her purse.
  She pulled out her brand-new smartphone that she had saved up for over the Summer; working overtime at the local bookstore. Looking at her screen, she saw that she had received a text message.
  Maybe it was from her close friend Louisa, asking if she was coming to school today.
  There were a myriad of reasons why Ana didnât want to go to school today â and she was trying to forget about all of them.
  When she saw who the text was from, she felt her emotions threatening to spill over like water swarming around the rim of a tipping glass.
  âIf you need to talk today, you know you can.â
  She didnât even want to open the message â but she hated lots of notifications cluttering up her lockscreen. After opening the message but not responding, Ana put her phone away and tried to ignore what had just happened.
  Soon, she will be going off to university or college, hopefully very far away, and wouldnât have to deal with anyone from this insufferable town ever again.
  When they pulled into the Trimouth Academy parking lot, Ana looked at her watch, noticing that she still had ten minutes before the first bell.
  Too much time.
  âBye, Ted,â Ana told him, after Penny gave him a simple âsee you laterâ and leapt out of the SUV.
  âSee you later, kiddo,â Ted smiled at her, and then his eyes softened. âCall or text me if you need anything today,â he told her, his tone sounding consoling. âI know this isnât going to be an easy day for you.â
  Ana hated that this happened, but when she met his eyes, tears slid down her cheeks.
  Ted reached his hand over and grasped Anaâs tightly, comfortingly. âI know,â he told her gently. âBut your dad would be so proud of you.â He added, âI know I am.â
  Ana couldnât speak. If she did, she knew she wouldnât be able to stop crying. Instead, she gave him the best smile she could, but she felt as if her face was about to crack.
  âIâll come pick you up early if you need me to,â Ted went on tenderly. âI have a light day today,â he added.
  A small silence ensued between them.
  Ted knew Ana well, and she was sure he understood why she wasnât talking, and why she wasnât able to answer him.
  âText me, okay?â Ted stated, and suddenly winked at her. âYour beau is waiting,â he proclaimed softly â as if he was hoping this new revelation would bring her some cheer.
  Anaâs head whipped around and sure enough, she saw him. He was waiting near the stairs that led to the front doors of Trimouth Academy. But, she wasnât sure why he was there in the first place.
  Ana glanced back at Ted and tried to give him a convincing smile. She wasnât sure if he bought it or not. If he didnât, he probably didnât want to add to her circumstances by talking about it.
  For some reason, Penny never inherited that trait.
  This was the main reason why Ana hadnât told Ted, her mom, or Penny what had happened last Friday night.
  âThank you for the ride,â Ana told him, and added, âand for the coffee.â
  Ted always insisted on paying, even though Ana tried to convince him otherwise.
  âSure,â he agreed. âLove you, kid,â he smiled at her.
  âI love you, too,â Ana told him.
  And it was true.
  She got out of Tedâs SUV and closed the door, making sure her coffee didnât spill.
  She looked down at her shoes. She was wearing black leggings with a pale yellow tank top, with flats. She was surprised, given the circumstances, that she was able to put an outfit together.
  Getting back to the here and now: what did she do? What did she say? Did she go up to him and say âhiâ? Or, did she avoid him altogether?
  Maybe it was petty of her, but she really wanted to do the latter. Especially today.
  Maybe she should. She didnât always have to be super-nice to everyone. And maybe she would have, but it was their spot â or, it used to be â and heâd already seen Tedâs SUV. Heâd probably already seen her, too.
  Could she face him? Could she do it without crying? Could she pull it off â today, of all days?
  No, she thought. Absolutely not.
  Ana probably had about nine minutes before the first bell rang. Unfortunately, there werenât swarms of students walking around now, making it impossible to hide.
  Ana turned around desperately, watching Ted drive out of the parking lot. She couldnât go home, and regretted even coming to school today.
  When she turned around again, Ana forced her feet to move forward. They felt heavy, like cement. Her heart was pounding. Even though it was a warm Summer day, she felt chilly. Her palms were sweating. Ana felt the colour drain from her face and imagined that she looked very pale.
  Was she having an anxiety attack? Sheâd never had one before. All she knew was that her stomach hurt; her chest was tightening; and it felt like a bunch of little knives were jabbing her in the stomach. She felt pain with every breath she took.
  If she was scared before, or at any other point in her life, those feelings were nowhere near as awful as what she was experiencing now.
  As Ana got closer and closer to him, she wanted to be invisible. She wanted to run. She wanted to vomit.
  But she couldnât think anymore, or barely hold it together, because she was suddenly at the railing to the steps and was now face-to-face with Elijah.
  He looked âcoolâ â not âpopularâ, cool, but unique and in a league of his own. With his dark leather jacket and soft black hair that hung a bit over his eye, and his height of over six feet, he was the epitome of a magazine cover for â motorcycles? Dirt bikes? Classic rock?
  She could feel her mind spinning.
  Say something.
  Do something!
  âHow are you?â Elijah asked.
  It wasnât a casual, unfeeling âhow are youâ, though. It was familiar â too familiarâŠ
  âGood,â Ana responded warily, looking away as she spoke. If she looked at him, she was afraid that she would either throw up or pass out â either one would be bad.
  âAna,â Elijah began.
  âBye,â Ana managed to say, jumping to the right. She was bounding up the steps, already past him in a flurry.
  She was surprised she had any coordination or speed at all â but perhaps the twelve years of dance helped with her moving fluidly under pressure.
  As Ana pushed open one of the double doors to go inside, she found that she had trouble letting go of it. It was almost as if she was going to swing along with it and fall flat on her face.
  So much for âmoving fluidly under pressureâ.
  And she may have fallen flat on her face, but she suddenly met eyes with Penny. Her stepsister was now stationed at her first-floor locker, the first thing greeting Trimouth Academy students when they entered the building. How cheery.
  Ana became terrified when Pennyâs harsh blue eyes searched her curiously.
  Had she found out about what had happened?
  âWhereâs your loser boyfriend?â Penny demanded, her eyes now looking behind Ana. She was literally looking for Elijah.
  Ana didnât know what to say. Sheâd just run away from him. Penny couldnât know about that.
  Instead, Ana folded her arms, trying to look confident. This was difficult for her, because she was frantically trying to hold herself together.
  Wait. Where had her coffee gone? She just realized she wasnât holding it in her hand at the moment.
  Penny scoffed, bringing Ana back to reality. At least this meant that Ana didnât have to answer her.
  âWhat, cat got your tongue?â Penny continued. âDidnât you cry enough for Daddy last night?â she abruptly sneered.
  Ana felt as if time had frozen. The room seemed like it was tipping sideways.
  Before she knew it, she was inches away from her stepsisterâs face. A loud, crunching sound rang through the air. Penny hit the floor like a sack of bricks.
  âAna!â
  Louisa Morales, one of Anaâs best friends, was now at her side. Louisa was now holding onto Anaâs arm. Ana didnât realize it, but sheâd been in the middle of a lunge. Penny, who was still on the floor, was holding her bloody nose.
  âYou bitch!â Penny hurled at her.
  âStay away from me!â Ana screamed back.
  Ana wanted to say so much more, but she realized how badly she was shaking. Not only that, sheâd just punched her stepsister in the face.
  âGet away from us!â Louisa shouted, as Penny began to struggle to her feet.
  âWhat?â Penny gasped. âYour psychotic friend was the one who just attacked me!â
  âDonât ever mention him again,â Ana spat at Penny, feeling a strong rage building up inside of her, like a forest fire.
  For the first time ever, Penny looked afraid of Ana. But it didnât last very long, because she suddenly smiled at Ana and folded her arms.
  It was strange how Penny could still look so fiercely in control, despite the bloody nose and her spilled latté soaking her boots.
  âYou arenât going to make it out of this school alive!â Penny snapped at Ana â but then, her eyes seemed to move past Ana.
  That couldnât be good.
  When Ana turned around, she saw a group of students watching them. There was someone in particular that was holding Pennyâs attention, however: Elijah.
  Ana wasnât sure when heâd stumbled upon this kerfuffle, but he was now behind them, a few feet away from the threesome. Judging by the look on his face, he knew that there had been a confrontation.
  âWhatâs your deal, Penny?â Elijah surprised Ana by demanding, suddenly moving to the left. He was now walking away from Ana and Louisa, but still hovering within the ring of fire. Ana wondered why he was making such an effort.
  âYou donât have the right â â Elijah continued, but Penny glowered at him swiftly.
  âYour angelic slut just punched me in the face!â Penny tossed at him, now closing her locker door. âYouâre trying to put a muzzle on the wrong dog.â
  When she walked away, Louisa nudged Ana, getting her attention. âAre you crazy?â Louisa whispered, now beginning to pull her away from Elijah and the crowd of murmuring on-lookers. âYou know sheâll get you back worse now.â
  Ana tried to take a breath, but the room felt so off-kilter that it was hard to focus.
  âShe â she brought up DadâŠâ Ana tried to explain to her close friend, as they rushed up the steps.
  Louisa squeezed Anaâs hand when they made it to the landing. Ana was surprised she could even climb the stairs â but then again, she was leaning on Louisa for support.
  When they finally made it to the second floor, Ana felt a shaky, painful breath finally escape her lips.
  It was true: Penny would do worse to her now. But going after Anaâs father like that had been cruel â too cruel. Ana couldnât let it slide â and now, sheâd inevitably started a war.
  French class was almost over for the day.
  Ana could feel her legs starting to shake. When the bell abruptly echoed through the small classroom, Ana almost peed herself.
  Getting up and rushing to the bathroom as soon as she could, Ana quickly veered away from the second-floor womenâs room when she saw that Penny was in the vicinity.
  Instead, Ana decided to race up to the third floor, where her locker was located. She shoved her French-English dictionary, verb conjugation book, and notebook into her locker. Her pencil case almost fell to the floor along the way.
  What class do I have next? Ana worried. For some reason, she was unable to remember.
  All of a sudden, her mind whirred to a halt, and the noise around the third-floor hallway overwhelmed her. The chatting students; clanking and slamming of lockers; and the rushing footsteps of teenagers running late for class suddenly ceased to exist. Ana sank to her knees, barely able to stop her face from hitting the floor.
  âAttention, students,â came a chilly voice from the Trimouth Academy PA system.
  Uh oh, Ana breathed. I know that voice.
  And she knew exactly what this woman was about to say.
  âWould Anastasia Gardenwood please report to the Vice Principalâs Office? Anastasia Gardenwood, to the Vice Principalâs Office.â
  Once the PA system shut off, the noise from around her slowly closed in on her again.
  Well, Ana thought. Now would be the time to kiss my perfect record âgoodbyeâ.
  She tried her best to find her way down the hall and the stairwell, all the way to the second floor. The Principal and Vice Principalâs offices were in the main administration area of the high school. A hallway was on each side, with their offices spaced out accordingly.
  When Ana opened the door, her heart in her throat, the receptionist, Mrs. Hapstall, looked down from her glasses at the interruption.
  âMiss Gardenwood,â she began, without so much as a greeting. âVice Principal Rutter will see you now.â
  Her tone was cold. Sheâd obviously caught wind of what had happened. Ana wondered what kind of show Penny had made for Mrs. Hapstallâs benefit after the Incident had occurred.
  âThank you,â Ana breathed weakly, trying to be polite â even though she was terrified. She turned to the left and walked down the seemingly-endless hallway. Knocking on the door, Ana waited for a brief moment and opened it when no response came.
  Vice Principal Rutter was sitting in his only-semi-lit office â making the atmosphere all the more terrifying. Was that on purpose?
  âMiss Gardenwood,â he began, leaning back in his office chair. He glanced behind her. âYou may close the door,â he added, sounding all business.
  Ana gave him a shaky nod and did as she was told. She was too afraid to talk â but she knew that sheâd have to talk to him, pronto.
  Vice Principal Rutter gestured to the chair across from his desk. âHave a seat,â he commented.
  Ana obeyed, sitting stiffly on the wooden chair.
  Vice Principal Rutter folded his arms across his brown suit, looking stern. âAn incident involving Penelope Barker has been brought to my attention,â he stated gruffly. Dropping his arms, he leaned forward, his harsh brown eyes piercing into Anaâs hazel ones.
  âI hear you punched your stepsister, almost breaking her nose,â he went on, as if he was waiting for Ana to continue.
  Should she explain herself? Would it make any difference? Ana knew that Trimouth Academy had a zero-tolerance policy for bullying â though that hadnât stopped Penny from terrorizing Ana for the past year.
  âYes, thatâs true,â Ana stated glumly, guiltily.
  Did she feel justified in doing what she had done? Yes. But she also felt guilty for causing Penny pain â even though she knew Pennyâs words hurt more than the right hook Ana had delivered.
  âTrimouth Academy will not stand for this type of behaviour, Miss Gardenwood,â Vice Principal Rutter seemed to chide her â as if she was the aggressor. Well, maybe sheâd been aggressive this time, but it was a first. Usually, Penny was the one throwing her punches.
  âHave you anything to say for yourself?â he inquired.
  Ana doubted that pleading her case would do her any good.
  âNo, sir,â she dismissed, looking down at the diamond rug on the floor. âIâm guilty.â
  âYouâre not on trial here, Miss Gardenwood,â Vice Principal Rutter countered, making Ana look up at him.
  Wait. Was he going to go easy on her?
  But when his eyes narrowed and he folded his arms again, Ana knew that she wasnât going to make it out of his office without severe punishment.
  âBut if you continue with this unruly and barbaric behaviour, you will find yourself in heaps of trouble.â
  Ana swallowed, terrified. She didnât even squish flies, and now sheâd slugged her obnoxious and evil stepsister in the face?
  âIâve already called your mother,â Vice Principal Rutter continued. âI will discuss your punishment with Ted Barker. Iâm considering suspension,â he mused, as if he wasnât talking to her any longer.
  Suspension? Ana fretted. The word echoed through her mind like a frenzied pinball machine.
  That kind of disciplinary action could get her kicked off the Dance Team!
  Ana felt her stomach twist and turn as Vice Principal Rutter picked up the landline phone stationed on his desk. He began to dial. After a pause, he cleared his throat.
  âYes, Mr. Barker,â he began, leaning back in his chair.
  Heâs going to have me sit through this call? Ana all but gaped, horrified. She felt terrible â and now she felt like the scum of the Earth, realizing how hurt Ted would be that Ana hit his daughter.
  Ted!
  How could Ana be so selfish?
  âThis is Vice Principal Rutter, from Trimouth Academy,â he began. âYes, Iâm fine, thank you. Iâm calling to inform you that your stepdaughter, Miss Anastasia Gardenwood, is going to be suspended.â
  Wait. Heâs no longer considering suspension â itâs just happening? Ana thought wryly.
  âYes, there is just cause for this decision, Mr. Barker,â Vice Principal Rutter continued, staring into space as he talked. âPlease come down to my office at your earliest convenience to pick up Miss Gardenwood. Goodbye.â
  He hung up the phone, looking at Ana firmly. âYour stepfather is on his way,â he announced. âYou may leave my office, and get your things.â
  Stunned, Ana closed the Vice Principalâs office door and meandered aimlessly through the main office. She could feel Mrs. Hapstallâs eyes on her as she left. Ana closed the door behind her, bracing herself against it for support.
  She felt numb.
  What had she done?
  She glanced to the right, seeing the sign for the womenâs washroom. She rushed to the door, feeling her emotions mixing like acid in her stomach.
  Ana opened the door to the womenâs washroom, then the one to the nearest stall. She closed it awkwardly behind her. She barely had time to lock the door before collapsing on her knees, in front of the toilet.
  Ana shut her eyes, trying hard to get her thoughts under control.
  Was she having an anxiety attack again, or was it still continuing? Or, was she just sick? She felt as if she was sinking into the ground.
  Wiping sweat from her forehead, Ana fell backward, leaning her head against the stall door. What were Ted and her mother going to say, when she got home?
  Putting her hands over her eyes, applying as much pressure as she could, Ana tried hard to stop herself from crying. She could barely turn her head without feeling as if she would faint or puke.
  Ana stood up shakily. She didnât want Ted to be left waiting for her in the parking lot, especially after that phone call about her behaviour.
  She slowly returned to her third-floor locker. She felt like a zombie. Opening her locker door, Ana pulled out her bookbag to pack up her things. As she tried to do as Vice Principal Rutter told her, she felt as if she was doing something wrong. She felt humiliated. Everyone was rushing to class; while she was going home.
  Ana pulled out her phone so she could message Ted as quickly as possible; to let him know that she would be waiting outside. Before she was able to message him, she saw with a start that she had a message from Penny.
  âAre you nauseous yet?â it read.
  What is she talking about? Ana thought, bewildered. She kept staring at the message â seeing if it had a hidden meaning that would become apparent if she re-read it enough times.
  Ana finally closed the door to her locker and clicked her lock shut. Stopping suddenly, she felt her thoughts flow tiredly out of her, like a hazy mist.
  Two weeksâŠ
  Ana unlocked her phone again, her hands slowly shaking; and was about to answer Penny when a new text appeared.
  âDoes Elijah like fat girls? Because thatâs whatâs going to happen to you in a few months. You shouldnât leave your birth control pills lying around.â
  Ana couldnât see. Her peripheral vision vanished.
  Then, there was blackness.
Ana is entering her senior year of high school and has no idea that her step sister is determined to make her last year at school a living nightmare. Sheâs recently separated from her boyfriend only to discover that, because of a prank of her step-sisterâs, sheâs pregnant with his child. As she navigates the decisions and challenges that accompany, she becomes closer with her mother and friends, and is able to reconcile some of her broken relationships.Â
There were a lot of important conversation topics covered in this book including teen pregnancy, the right to choose, and miscarriages. Not only are these topics not discussed often enough in literature, but the author does a good job approaching these issues with care and considering them from multiple angles. The overall plot and drama were intriguing and kept propelling the reader forward.Â
As I move forward in this review, I want to express how huge a feat it is to write and publish a book as a new author. I hope the author understands that my critiques are meant to be constructive and truly come from a place of compassion.Â
As for the things I had trouble with in this novel: some of the characters didnât seem as fleshed out and motivations were difficult to tease apart, time moved forward in a disorienting way.Â
Both Ana and Elijah are too nice and pleasant in a way, especially for teenagers who are going through a phase in development where they *should* be making mistakes and testing out different waters as they get ready to enter the adult world; they could both use more flaws to feel more three dimensional and believable. And because these main characters were already so caring, considerate, and nice, there was really not much room for growth or a character arc for either of them.Â
Penny was a bit too polar in being villainous. She seemed to have no redeeming qualities to allow us to toe the line and relate to her with and no deeper motivations for doing these terrible things to her stepsister; the only motive I could find for her is that she wants her father to herself, but she doesnât seem to even like him that much so it didnât seem a strong enough incentive for her actions.
Iâll also say the style that scene changes and time passing was executed was a little jarring and there were details and events that had a lot of focus placed on them, only to be glossed over without much closure or a way of tying them back into the rest of the story.Â
All that being said, I had a huge drama craving that was sated by reading this. The plot beats were really quite gratifying and kept me going, even if I wasnât crazy about the characterization.