Cadence Lewis has been dancing since she could walk. Living in New York with her parents she has the chance to go to the best dance school in the country, but when her father does the unthinkable she’s forced to leave her dreams behind and move to a small southern town with her mom. Cadence is having a hard time adjusting to her new life when she meets Jade Carpenter. Jade starts to show Cadence that small-town life isn’t so bad, but when Cadence has a chance to go back to New York she is on the next flight and will do anything to get her old life back.
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As the bell rings for the end of the day, I stand and take my time walking from class because let's face it, who wants to have everyone know you drive that clonker?
When I’m almost to the door frame, I’m met by Jade.
“Hey, Cadence, right?” she says.
I look her direction. “Yup. That’s me,” I say with a fake smile. Why can’t these people leave me alone?
“Just wanted to introduce myself. I’m Jade,” she says as she walks beside me.
“Yeah. I got that from what’s her face.” I toss my head back toward the classroom.
She giggles. “You’re funny.”
I crinkle my nose. I’ve never been called funny before. “Why’s that?” I question.
“’Cause you just called Ms. Luckadoo what’s her face and not to mention you look like you’re about to run the catwalk at fashion week. You do realize where you are?”
“Well, I couldn’t remember her name and I live for fashion. It's obvious people around here do not feel the same way.”
“Oh they do, but it’s a different kind.”
“What do you mean?”
Jade takes a moment to gather her thoughts. “Okay, let me give you the run down.” I can’t wait to hear this. “Most girls around here are up on the latest southern preppy trends from either Simply Southern, Southern Charm, and Southern Fried Chics. Every girl here owns boots to work in as well as boots to go out in. Jack Rogers are a must and we monogram everything.”
“Are you serious? You monogram everything?”
“Yeah. Just look around.” I do and notice every backpack as well as vehicle has initials on them. What the hell? “Oh and don’t forget the more glitter, the better.”
“That’s insane. Are people afraid they are going to forget their names or something?” I say smartly.
“Nope, it’s just a southern thang,” she says with a deep southern drawl. “See,” she says as she shows me her car. Oh gosh, she’s one, too.
“So, tell me more about Lawndale High?” I ask.
“Well, there’s not much to say. I mean, it’s school. The guys here are your typical country boys. They drive trucks and miss a lot of days the first day of the season.”
“Why would they miss school on the first day of Autumn?” I question.
“Please tell me you didn’t just say that.”
“Um, yeah. The first season to occur while in school is Autumn.”
She starts to shake her head. “Girl, you’ve got a lot to learn around here. Let me spell it out for you. Bambi, big bucks, big boy toys, trophies on the wall, and food in your belly.”
Casey Peeler grew up in North Carolina and still lives there with her husband and daughter.
Growing up Casey wasn't an avid reader or writer, but after reading Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neal Hurston during her senior year of high school, and multiple Nicholas Sparks' novels, she found a hidden love and appreciation for reading. That love ignited the passion for writing several years later, and her writing style combines real life scenarios with morals and values teenagers need in their daily lives.
When Casey isn't writing, you can find her near a body of water listening to country music with a cold beverage and a great book.
