The Battle Begins Read online

  “I just wonder, Maggie. Would your mom be happy for her little girl?”

  That did it! “First of all, I’m nobody’s little girl,” I snapped. “And second of all, my mother was a junkie who didn’t give a—” I stopped myself from using a foul word. “My mom didn’t care about herself or her little girl.” I wanted to scream that my mom died of a freaking heroin overdose—and that her poison had been supplied by my dear old dad, who’s now doing time in Salano. Instead, I locked eyes with him. “But you probably knew that too. I suppose everyone in this neighborhood knows all the dirt on me by now.” I shook my head, wishing I’d never met this jerk and hating myself for getting pulled in. “So much for a fresh start at a new school!” I growled.

  “A fresh start?” His brow creased like he wasn’t sure what I meant by that.

  “Yeah.” My tone grew snarky. “Is English your second language? A fresh start is like a do-over, a clean slate. Duh!”

  “Something deeper than just a make-over?”

  I rolled my eyes at him.

  “Because I don’t think you can really change the outside of your life without changing the inside, Maggie.”

  For no rational reason, I wanted to slap him hard or spit in his face. I wanted to scream and swear and lash out. To let loose all the anger bursting at the seams inside of me. But I kept my hands in my pockets, balled into tight fists, and I simply glared daggers at him. And without saying another word, I turned and walked away.

  Forget Eli! I don’t know why I let myself care about him in the first place. Note to self: don’t do it again! But as I stormed back home, I could hear that voice of doom again, laughing at me.

  I told you so, loser. Maybe next time you’ll listen.

  Visit The Eli Diaries Site

  —To read first chapters from each of the books before they are published.

  —To watch interviews of the authors.

  —To ask the characters, authors, and Eli questions.

  https://www.amarismedia.com/eli-diaries

  Table of Contents

  THE ELI DIARIES

  INTRODUCTION

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  OTHER BOOKS BY BILL MYERS

  THE ELI DIARIES

  Chapter One

  Visit The Eli Diaries Site