Extraordinary by Amanda McGee Read Free Book Online Page B

My hairstyle had improved. By improved, I mean clean and not in a ponytail. There was clarity in my eyes that I had never seen before. The bags hadn’t quite faded but the sadness that once dimmed them had begun to fade.
    I suspected Sadie had something to do with that.
    “Ready?” I said, catching myself off-guard with my happier-than-normal tone.
    Sadie nodded with more animation than was required. Crossing her too-large bag over her chest, Sadie then slipped on her sunglasses and even bigger grin. I wondered if everything she owned was oversized or if she was just that tiny.
    “Another beautiful day in Knox,” I said, gazing up at the sky. “I love days like this.”
    “Uh, I’ve never been in a Jeep before,” Sadie said. “Is it safe to ride with no doors or...um...walls?”
    My head whipped around expecting to see a less enthusiastic side of Sadie. Her words were spoken with a tinge of anxiety that had yet to be revealed but alas her demeanor remained unchanged. Sadie climbed into the passenger seat with ease, bouncing with anticipation.
    The wind twirled our hair into frenzied disarray as we cruised into town. Through my favorite pair of five-dollar sunglasses, I watched Sadie attempt to enjoy my taste in music. According to her, she preferred “hippy-dippy, acoustic-y music.” I was not, and would probably never be, sure what that meant. I was sure, though, that I would hate it.
    “How do you not know No Doubt?” I asked. “Everyone knows No Doubt.”
    “I like their vibe,” she answered. “I’m not very hip, they sound hip.”
    “Gwen Stefani?” I snorted. “Yeah, she’s about as ‘hip’ as they come.”
    I was not ready to admit to my love of country music just yet. There was no sound more uplifting one minute and depression inducing the next like country music. Though I would not describe myself as outdoorsy or particularly southern in nature, my existence was a country-western song. Single mother, no father, orphaned, lost, cynical towards love, had big dreams but was afraid to stand out.
    That is depressing .
    “I don’t picture you as a Jeep driving gal,” Sadie said. “No offense but this is a free-spirit, country girl vehicle and you don’t strike me as either.”
    She wasn’t wrong. I chose this particular mode of transportation in an attempt to integrate a bit of adventure into my life. The majority of my days were spent studying and jogging every morning and afternoon. So a car that screamed fun and relaxation seemed like an illogical choice and that was my favorite part.
    “Yeah, that’s me,” I said. “I’m all about freedom and running around looking for something that I will probably run from when I find it.”
    “Well, good thing you can run fast,” she laughed. Sadie lifted her arms out the top of the Jeep. The wind pushed her scrawny arms back but she resisted with little effort. “I wonder when we will meet Blaze? I’m excited to know what he’s like.”
    My anticipation to meet Blaze resembled more of a nervous sensation. After the instant connection with Sadie I was optimistic, but then again, lightning never struck twice.
    I tried to stay positive that he would find us. He could have been a million miles away, and with the fun facts we had learned over the past few days that could have been taken literally. All we could do was be patient. A virtue I, unlike this town, did not possess.
    “If I can have your attention please,” I said. “We will now begin our tour. Welcome to Knox, Georgia. Population: 8,749. Home of really mediocre high school football, the Annual Seaboard Festival, and a hotel that is famous for having Tom Cruise stay in it.”
    “Really? Tom Cruise?”
    “When I was young he allegedly filmed a movie nearby. The story varies depending on your source but it’s safe to say he was in the vicinity.”
    “Gosh,” Sadie gasped. “I can’t say I blame him. It’s beautiful here.”
    Sadie’s attention became focused on the view outside