Finding My Way by Heidi McLaughlin Read Free Book Online Page A

can’t look at it to watch my fingers. This will be blind playing for me and from memory. I don’t have the confidence I have on the field with my guitar. For all I know my positioning will be wrong and even though I’ll think I sound good, the reality is I probably sound like complete shit. I go over what I’ve learned from books. G, C, D, E and A, as I move my fingers into the shapes that I remember, repeating them over and over again. They sound right, but I can’t be too sure.
    Over and over until I’m confident that I can play the melody I’ve been working on. I haven’t felt this relaxed since school started. There’s something so peaceful about making music with your hands, maybe all athletes should do this. Whatever it is, it’s working.
    I close my eyes and let my fingers recall the notes I have written down at home. They may not make sense, but they will… someday. But that moment will have to wait. I’m eager to show her what I can do, what I’ve taught myself. I know she’ll be proud of me.
    The song I’m playing echoes off the rocks and through the valley creating a lullaby for the lurking animals. That’s what I’m telling myself at least; to keep the fear away that any second I’m going to get mauled by a deer for disturbing his slumber. When I stop playing my tune carries on, almost like the surrounding scenery is my own personal orchestra. I smile, despite being alone. It’s a good feeling to have, being able to hear something you’ve created. That’s not something that can be done on the football field.
    On the field, I’m a puppet being controlled by the giant. Do this, run this, throw there. None of those are my decisions. I’m trained to do what I’m told and when. I know every offensive scheme in our playbook. I can run any route thrown at me and pass with the best of them. Double team coverage is a joke because I’m hitting my target in their numbers each and every time. But I’m not free.
    Right now I am and I love this feeling.

Chapter 10
    I watch as the seconds tick off the clock before running into the locker room. We have a twenty point lead at half-time and I can’t think of a better way to start our homecoming celebration. My coach hates this part, but it’s tradition. I know he wants to go over what we need to execute, but Mason and I are due on the field for the coronation.
    I jog out of the locker room with Mason by my side and find our girls. I hop into the back of the rented convertible and lay one on her. She doesn’t push me away or tell me that I stink. She cups my face, holding me to her lips.
    The car lurches forward, making me pull away from my girl. We’re about to enter our stadium and drive around the track. The marching band is in front of the first car, leading the parade. The rest of the guys from the football team, lining the sidelines, in a show of solidarity.
    Josie and I are dressed not to impress, that will come later tonight. I’m still in my uniform and she’s definitely in hers.
    “I love you, Jojo,” I say, kissing her one more time before we’re visible to the crowd. My parents are here and have voiced their displeasure of me accepting my homecoming court invitation. This type of thing may not be what Sterling wants, but it’s important to my girl so this is where I’m going to be. I just have to keep him away from her and we’ll be good.
    We do one loop around the track before the cars stop and we’re told to stand by the make-shift podium. I hold Josie’s hand while she exits and even though my parents want me to keep my distance, I don’t. I refuse to let her go of her hand. She’s done nothing wrong. I’m not some fifteen-year-old kid anymore. The first time they told me to stay away from her just drove me to be with her even more. Then I fell in love and it was all over from there. I didn’t care what they said then and I definitely don’t care now.
    Most of the girls hoping to be crowned queen tonight are dressed in