Journey by Karina Sharp, Carrie Ann Foster, Good Girl Graphics Read Free Book Online

 ‘It is?’  Aside from personal questions, you never seem to be without something to say or some eloquent, wordy answer.”
    I allow a moment of silence pass before speaking.  “Last night, you said something that’s stayed with me.”
    “I can only imagine what I said.  I hope it wasn’t anything too bad, but if it’s stayed with you this long, I’m guessing it probably is.  Does this mean you’re wanting to get the heck out of dodge early?”
    “No, nothing like that.  It’s- You told me about posing nude for a magazine spread or something of that nature.”
    Journey does not sit up, but turns her head to look at me from behind her mirrored aviator sunglasses that I’m pretty sure she stole off of my night stand earlier today.  She rubs her lips together as she gathers her response, then clears her throat.
    “Well, it’s not something that’s a bad thing, per se.  I happened to be at the headquarters for an epic party and was very drunk when it was offered and I agreed to the chance to be a centerfold and even went to the photo-shoot.  But, the spread didn’t appear in the magazine because I decided it would probably not be the best thing to boost my chance to get into med school.”
    “That was probably wise.”  I rub my chin in thought.  “You’re an adult with free will, but for what it’s worth, I don’t think it’s a good idea.”
    Journey’s posture slumps as if she is being scolded, so I try to explain my stance more.
    “I think it’s great that you’re not shy- it’s something that makes you a lot of fun and your self-confidence is enviable, but I can’t imagine any good would come of that.  You never know when your past can suddenly reappear.”
    “I’m not so worried about that.  I can handle judgment and ridicule.  I don’t care one iota about others’ opinions of me.  If they don’t like what I do and my version of self-expression, then they can go suck a tree trunk, for all I care.”
    “It should matter to a deg- Did you just say, ‘suck a tree trunk?’  Is that even a real expression?”
    “Yes it is.  I just made it one.”  Journey sits up and supports her weight with her hands behind her.  “And if you don’t like it, Mister, you can go suck a tree trunk.”  She huffs and lays back down.  “Okay, opinions do matter.  There, you happy?  My entire life others’ opinions have been paramount and pretty much ruled over me.  I wouldn’t wear a certain brand of nail polish or befriend certain people out of fear of others’ judgment.  When I started college, I decided that I wanted to call the shots and start making my own decisions.”
    “I apologize in advance if this sounds like scolding, Journey, because it’s not my intent, but it seems as though you may have missed the mark and gone a bit extreme the other direction.  Not completely...  I mean, partying on spring break or even every weekend in college is very normal, but viewing the ability for millions of men to see all of you on glossy magazine pages, lusting after you, isn’t exactly a healthy form of self-expression.  At least, I don’t think so.
    “The jury is still out on how I feel about that, which is why the pictures have never been published.  And, I do value your opinion.”  Journey sighs and almost mumbles, “It means a lot, actually.”
    “Then, promise me something.”
    “I don’t like making blind promises.”
    “I didn’t ask you to do that.  Just hear me out.  Promise me that you won’t publish those pictures or do anything that can potentially publicly shame you in the future until you’re sure of exactly how you feel about that form of self-expression.  Should you decide it suits you and it’s what you need, that’s great, but until then, don’t do anything that gives you apprehension.”
    “This feels a little judgmental and not fair.  I’ve been trying so hard to get you to be more talkative and have only been mildly successful.  Now, the