Hai Hai!

I'm thrilled to be a part of the Wattpad Block Party - Winter Edition III! I have prepared a sample chapter of my upcoming two part book series based off my book Code of Conduct.

Fate Chronicles:

Tempted Fate [Book I] - Coming Fall 2017
Fates Design [Book II] - Tentatively Coming Winter 2018

The cover for Tempted Fate was designed by the talented @The_Lancelot_

Please enjoy this sample chapter from the first book!

Yours Faithfully,

~Kay

"Be careful what you wish for..."

💫

I can't remember if I'm no longer dreaming, or if I'm still trapped within those nightmares and maybe this is all just wishful thinking.

I assume I'm in the realm of the living and my so called wonderful life as Mr. Callender once again asks, "Ms. Rosewood?"

Oh, yes how could I have forgotten?

My vision snaps back to reality and I take a quick glance around and eye my fellow senior classmates who are either whispering or just staring at me with curiosity. It's not the first time that I've completely spaced out during English class and more than likely, it won't be the last. No, this isn't your average daydreaming...that I can handle...it's just something much more...

I clear my throat and reply, "I'm sorry Mr. Callender, I'm not quite all here...could you please repeat the question?"

A couple giggles ensue and fill the back left corner of the classroom and I catch our star quarterback, Lonny muttering under his breath to the swim captain, Vivian, "When is she ever all here?"

I don't say anything, there's absolutely no reason to. Fighting makes it worse and I'd only be setting myself up for a jumping on my walk home from school. I've learned to just stay quiet and bow my head; I don't want any confrontation if it can be avoided. Instead, I see Mr. Callender's deep green eyes flicker in the direction of the side commentators, a silence passing over them knowing that detention could possibly be in their near future.

Once his eyes return to me, standing just behind his desk at the front of the class, he again informs me of the question...well...more of a learning tool and then asking a question in regards to it, "We just learned how to translate Shakespeare lines into modern text," I sigh as his gaze falls for a brief moment to the pages of the book, Romeo and Juliet. When he places a finger just under the line he must have asked me to translate, his eyes lift from the page and he mentions, "Act two, scene one. Paris' line: Younger than she are happy mothers made. Please translate to modern text."

Working memory...

My own eyes fall to the book lying open in front of me set aside on my desk. I lean forward just a bit and cross my ankles beneath the chair. This is something so easy, something all of us should have been able to do for as Mr. Callender mentioned, we did just learned this type of tool and it should be fresh in my mind.

Where is my mind?

I pull my lips into a tight line, focusing on the words. All I can read is exactly what he said, Paris' original line.

I just...

No...I can't.

"Ms. Rosewood?" It's Mr. Callender's voice ringing in my ears though he is situated at the front of the class. Questions...too many questions...

My hands clutch the sides of my head, desperately attempting to remember, but I can't. Frustration takes over and I raise my head to say, "I'm sorry...I don't know."

With a roll of her eyes, Vivian snorts with amusement and I feel my face burning and I'm sure it's a similar shade to that of a tomato.

"Ms. Sanchez, get out of my classroom and make your way to the detention hall," Mr. Callender is quick to abruptly cease her snickering in the corner with Lonny. Her eyes narrow at him and I see out of the corner of my eye her shoot me a nasty glare before slamming her hands down on her desk and rising out of her chair. She begins to gather her books and snatches her purse from off the chair backing when she is done. Her heels echo off the flooring and without another word, the door bangs shut behind her.

Tears gather at the edge of my eyelids and I bite the inside of my cheek as they threaten to fall. Mr. Callender's voice relieves me only slightly when he says, "It's alright Ms. Rosewood," he pauses briefly before directing his question to Lonny, "Mr. Taylor, please answer the question...act two, scene one. Paris' line: Younger than she are happy mothers made. Please translate to modern text."

Lonny sighs and then scans the page quickly before answering, "Girls younger than she often marry and become happy mothers."

"Thank you Mr. Taylor," Mr. Callender nods his head, and resumes his lecture with our class. A stray tear that I cannot stop from falling escapes from my left eye and rolls down my cheek. I breathe in deeply and exhale through my parted lips, bringing my hand up to brush away the sadness that creeps up within me and surfaces.

I occupy the middle desk of the furthest row near the right side of the classroom, the warm sun flooding through the windows. Today's just not a good day. From the moment I woke, I knew...I just knew it would have been better for me to have stayed home, yet my mother persuaded me to attend my classes. I think she's somewhat afraid I might take my own life if I'm left at home alone...

...her fears are warranted...on some days more than others, I wouldn't think twice.

When the final bell rings through the halls, I know freedom is but a few yards away. The other seniors of my class are quick to stand and gather their belongings, chatting with one another about their plans for the weekend. For me, it's another weekend of holding myself up in my room and reading.

I love to read. The pages within the books take me away from this world and into one only made possible within the dreams of creators. If only they were real, I'd rather live in those stories then in this world with the way it's going...

Sighing, I close Romeo and Juliet, gathering my books and shouldering my book bag after organizing them. With the zipper sealed shut, I shuffle my feet across the floor in my black and white Converse. The hems of my deep blue jeans conceal most of the shoes, including the laces save for the white tips. The gray sweater I have on I zip up to just under my chin, curling a stray strand of hair behind my ear, nearing the front of the classroom.

There are two stranglers taking their time packing up, Mr. Callender tilting his head to the side and watching as they seem to be having some sort of struggle packing their already filled bags.

When I cross in front of his desk, he quickly says, "Ms. Rosewood-"

"Yes?" I cut him off, but my voice is merely a whisper.

When my eyes meet with his, he's sitting in his chair with a few graded papers in his left hand. He takes from his top desk drawer a small packet of papers bound together with a paper clip. Extending his arm and offering the papers to me, I take them without question. Mr. Callender sighs, "It's detailed notes about the lesson. I know you'll get it over time; I'm not worried about you falling behind."

"Thank you," I respond kindly. After my parents spoke with the school, all of my teachers' help where they can to make sure I fully understand the lessons. I've fallen behind once and that set off a chain reaction and my family having to move.

I unzip my bag and place the packet between two of my books, my fingers fiddling with the zipper when it won't budge. Mr. Callender asks, "Can I help y-"

"I can do it on my own," I snap too quick and just leave the zipper pulled back, my emotions getting the best of me before I even have a chance to reign them in. Once I realize what I've done, I take a few deep breathes and apologize quietly, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be short with you Mr. Callender."

"It's quite alright," we receive a few looks from the two students now leaving the classroom, leaving just myself and Mr. Callender. I don't really know what else to say, but he adds, "If you need anything else, please let me know."

He's too kind. All of the teachers are and it kills me.

I nod and hastily leave the classroom, not wanting to have any more awkward conversations before I leave the premises. After passing through the short hallway and leaving my eyes glued to the ground, I exit through the front doors of Acadia High School, taking the steps to the sidewalk before turning down off the main street in the direction of my home.

Where did the day go? I can't believe it's already three fifteen in the afternoon on Friday. Most of my classmates are getting together for a long party weekend since we have Monday off, my own plans are that of sitting on my bed and finishing up the book my father bought me about a week ago, Code of Conduct. He knows I'll practically read anything so long as I can step away from this world for but a single moment and I was on the last few pages of the epilogue.

Thankfully, there is no one to bother me this time on my walk. After what happened to Vivian, I was sure that Lonny would have a vendetta against me for being the sole cause of her being sent to detention. Yes, I know it wasn't my fault and that it was her own for acting the way she did, but it doesn't matter, I'm always the one to blame. It's quick and easy for them all to use me as a scapegoat...

Coming down Grace Way, I see my two story house in the distance. Another five minutes and I'm climbing the steps, opening the front door and slinking into the entry way. I try to close the door silently behind me, but I trip on my kid sister's shoes that have been left out. I fall but quickly catch myself and stand to my feet, just as my mother and my kid sister Edith appear from the kitchen.

Kicking off my Converse, my mother wipes her hands on a towel and asks, "How was your day pumpkin?"

How do you think?

"Fine," I reply and nudge my shoes under the bench where Edith's should have been stashed away so that I wouldn't have almost broken my neck.

"Dinner will be ready about six," my mother smiles warmly, blowing a few wisps of hair from in front of her face and meandering back into the kitchen. My father should be home by seven, I wonder why we aren't waiting for him tonight.

Edith flashes me this big grin and I unintentionally ignore her, my attention going straight to the staircase and taking the wooden steps two at a time. When I reach the top landing, the beige carpet beneath my feet leads me down the right hallway to my room at the end. Once I open the door and close it behind me quickly, I let out a shaky breath. Taking my bag from the shoulder and letting it drop to the carpet, my eyes glance to the left, the light barely coming through the dark maroon curtains that I'd left closed when I left for school.

It takes me a few moments, but I knew it had to have been at least ten minutes from the accusing look the numbers on my clock was giving me from the bedside table before I walk to my bed. Coming to the side, I turn around and fall back onto the covers, closing my eyelids and relaxing.

Maybe I can take my mind off of school...

Without opening my eyes, I reach for the drawer in the bedside table, the handle cool to the touch. After drawing it back, my fingertips touch the wooden bottom of the empty drawer.

"What?" I ask, my heart skipping a beat as my eyelids snap open. I sit up on my bed with my legs hanging over the side, seeing with my own eyes that my book is gone. Where the hell could it have gone? I remember...I put it back right here last night...

An exasperated sigh leaves my lips and I rise to my feet, storming to my bedroom door before throwing it open. Taking a few steps into the hallway and leaning on the wooden banister near the stairs, I call, "Mom?!"

"Yes pumpkin?" I can just barely hear her over the sizzling skillet, the steam rising from the open kitchen door and into the downstairs hallway. I can already smell dinner and my mouth waters, my stomach clenching as I didn't eat lunch today.

I shake my head and call again, "Have you seen my book?"

"Which one sweetie?" She's busy and I can't take much more of the back and forth. I just want to know where it went...

Before I can inform her, I see Edith scamper into the hallway from the kitchen and say, "I took your book!"

"Edith?! Why?!" I glare down at her and her brows furrow in confusion..

"I wanted to read it!" She exclaims and starts to skip up the stairs. Once she reaches the top landing and is but a few feet away from me she smiles, "You weren't using it. You were at school."

I groan, "Edith...you couldn't possibly have read it..."

She sways back and forth in her cute little pink dress and continues to smile innocently at me. When she doesn't say anything in return, I ask, "Where is my book Edith?"

"I think it's downstairs..." she places a finger on her chin and looks up to the ceiling as though she is recollecting her thoughts, "Yea, it's downstairs."

Pushing past her, I grumble down the stairs, turning down the hallway to our living room and searching for the book. She follows behind me, tagging along as I say to her, "You shouldn't take what doesn't belong to you."

"I was borrowing it!" She complains while I search the tables. On the very last end table, I see the book and snatch it up into my arms.

"I didn't give you permission, now stop touching my things!" I glare at her, raising my voice as I leave the living room and head back to the stairs. Edith's face is red and she's starting to cry while she follows me, retracing our steps. Just as I am about to walk up the stairs, her crying is audible and my mother can soon be seen in the kitchen door frame.

"M-M-Mom," Edith's voice is uneven as she hiccups between her sobs. She just points at me, but I ignore her childish antics and make my way up half the staircase before my mother's voice stops me in my tracks.

She states, "Why can't you just share with your sister?"

Uggghhhh!

I snap my eyes to her and argue, "She's five and took a book that is in no means appropriate for her!"

"You're right," my mother sighs and I think she is about to completely agree with me before she says, "She is five and doesn't know any better. Don't get so cross with her, she's just a child."

"Whatever," I mumble, returning my steps and reaching the top landing.

My mother's voice carries up the stairs as I turn down the hallway to my bedroom once again, only this time she asks, "Did you take your medication pumpkin?"

"Yes mother!" I enter into my room and slam the door shut behind me. I hit the back of my head against the door four times before finally lifting away from the wooden surface and nearing the edge of my bed. My eyes glance to the top shelf near my closet, the one place that Edith can't reach...

...my pill bottle is still there and I know lying to my mother never works, she always finds out.

But, it can wait...I want to finish my book.

Pulling the covers back and snuggling into my bed, I prop myself up on my elbow, letting the book rest beside of me. I flip through to the epilogue and pick up right where I left off, enjoying the silence of the room and finally feeling at ease. Even after the small spat with my sister, I'll always love her, even though she can be quite the pain in the ass.

After turning the last page, a smile creeps slowly onto my lips and I let out a content sigh. My fingertips brush the printed words, my heart skipping a beat when I let it sink it that I was finished with the book. With my father being the one to have purchased it for me, I wasn't even sure if there was a sequel. I'd have to check later, my eyes scanning to the clock and realizing that dinner will be ready soon and that I should probably help set the table.

My thumb brushes over the name Cormac.

Why do we always wish to escape from this world and into one of fantasy and adventure? From my short existence here, I understand why people write...to escape...

I wish Cormac was real...I wish-

"Dinner's ready!" Edith's pounding on the outside of my door jolts me from my thoughts. I hear her feet scampering across the carpet and then the light thudding of her footsteps down the stairs.

It appears my mother finished early. I better go help now before she starts wondering if I'm alive or not.

I lift my fingertips away from the words, letting the book close and the beautiful cover lay face up. I'm about to place the book into the drawer of my bedside table, but I stop and leave it resting on the covers. Maybe I can start re-reading after dinner...I have nothing better to do and a long weekend ahead of me.

My feet touch down on the carpet and I pull myself away from the warmth of my covers, standing to my full height and walking toward the bedroom door.

I almost have a heart attack though, the moment I hear a male's voice say mid-sentence, "...it would have taken a lot m..." the voice trails off and my heart stops in my chest.

Someone's in my room.

"What the hell?" The voice sounds again, confusion laced within his words and I'm almost too terrified to turn around.

With my hand on the doorknob, I let my fingers slide away while I slowly turn around on the spot. I'm taken aback when my eyes land on a very strong and sexy man with black hair and green eyes, his height a head taller than my own.

Caught in my own confusion, I whisper, "Who are you...what are you doing in my room?"

He was previously glancing around my room and when his eyes lock with mine he narrows them and says, "Who are you...where am I?"

I tilt my head to the side and furrow my brows, "I just asked you that..."

"Human..." his voice trails off after he breathes in deeply, searching my room once again until his eyes land on the book left out.

I shake my head and reply, "Thanks for stating the obvious...look...if you don't leave now, I'm calling the police."

He grabs the book off my bed and I exclaim, "Hey!"

He shows me the cover of the book and growls, "Why is Rose's picture on the cover of this book?"

I rub my forehead and try to understand what is going on...why there is a man in my room when there was no way he could gain access into it. I say, "She's the main character of that book, Code of Conduct...if you're here to steal my book, you can have it. My sister already tried to take it, but if that's what it takes for you to go away...please do-"

"I don't want your book," he tosses it onto the bed and asks again, "why is Rose on the front of that book?"

He's clearly not getting the picture here, "Look, she's a fictional character from the book..."

"Fictional character?" He narrows his eyes.

"Yes!" I throw my hands up in the air with frustration, "all of them...geeze...now can you please leave!"

He goes quiet right after those words leave my lips, my heart rate accelerating when he finally does speak. He states, "Nolic Falls..."

"Yes...good...a place in the book, but not here," I sigh again.

He then quickly asks, "What year is it?"

"2017," I reply.

"I'm in the past?" He rubs his chin.

"What?!" I breathe out and groan, "No...you're not in the past, what are you even talking about? Look...I don't know who you are, but you need to leave-"

His eyes flash and I see a tint of red flood his irises before he says, "I'm Cormac Arin."

***********

P.S. Don't forget to enter the 130+ #WattpadBlockParty Giveaways! Clickable links are at the top of my Wattpad profile! :)

GIVEAWAY LINK ONE:

http://kellyanneblountauthor.blogspot.com/2017/01/giveaways-for-wattpad-block-party_31.html

GIVEAWAY LINK TWO (with Widgets):

http://kellyanneblountauthor.blogspot.com/2017/01/giveaways-with-widgets-for-wattpad.html