Earth Camp by Eric Price and Scott Harpstrite

Welcome to Earth, 2153. Hope you survive.

“How long are you going to tolerate his crap, Edmund?” Haley kicked a rotten branch and it splintered. “This is the second time he has disappeared. I’m telling you, Aldrich is up to something.”

Isaac, Bianca, and Cygnus meandered around the campsite. Haley had argued with her twin brother in their presence before, but she had never felt this much anger toward him. The stress of surviving on Earth, compounded by Edmund’s indifference toward Aldrich’s behavior, pushed her to the brink of explosion.

“Haley, calm yourself. I’m the leader on this expedition, and I don’t have a problem with him taking some time to himself. Aldrich has worked as hard as the rest of us at finding food. The last time he went off on his own he found these houses to shelter us from the electrical storms. All anyone else had managed to find was a salt water sound.”

Haley turned her back on Edmund and rummaged through a box of supplies. “Speaking of water, where’s my canteen? We need to find some fresh water soon. It’s almost empty wherever it is.”

“Hey, everybody! Look what I’ve got.” Aldrich pushed his way through a thicket. He carried all of the canteens. Swinging one by the strap, he tossed it to Haley. “Looking for this?”

Snatching it from the air, she scowled at him before taking a drink. “I’d appreciate it if you don’t take my stuff again.”

Aldrich tipped his hat. “You’re welcome.”

She wanted to spit water in his face to wash the smile from it.

“Good news everyone. There’s a river north and east of here. I didn't follow it to see where it flows. These abandoned neighborhoods stretch for miles.” He gave Haley a wink, and she turned from him. “And I didn’t want to be gone too long.”

Haley ignored him while she helped the others prepare a meal.

---

By the time they had finished eating, the sun had sunk below the horizon and the sky glowed blue and green. An electric storm passed to the north, but it didn’t present a danger. Haley was still taken aback by the aurora-like clouds. Not by their beauty, but by the potential to generate devastating storms. It served as constant reminder of the war and resulting atmospheric shift which occurred a century before, ultimately tearing apart the planet.

A raised voice grabbed Haley’s attention. “That’s the whole purpose of Earth Camp, the reason we’re down here. To test if colonies could survive.” The conversation had once again turned to the politics of resettling Earth, and the dream of fixing it. Just like before, Cygnus and Bianca were on one side of the debate, and Aldrich the other.

Bored, she stood up and started walking toward the house she had chosen. She brushed some overgrown vines from the welcome mat. These houses are surprisingly welcome. At least we don’t have to sleep outside with the storms.

A movement in the bushes caught her eye. She motioned for Aldrich to quiet his voice. He had been retelling a story they all knew, how his father had died during the last colonization riots.

He scowled at her and shook his head in a questioning manner. When he opened his mouth to speak again, she drew her hand across her throat. Shut up.

Everyone else had turned to look at her.

“I saw something.” She whispered. “Big. It could have been a person.”

The campers stood in unison and looked where Haley pointed.

Bianca stepped forward shining a light. “I saw it too.”

“It could have been a gorilla.” Aldrich said.

“What?” Haley could never tell if he was joking or stupid. He had to be joking most of time. To get into the Earth Camp program, his test scores would have had to be the best of the best. Nevertheless, she couldn’t help but wonder. “Gorilla’s never lived in North America.”

”Maybe we’re near a former city, and they escaped from a zoo.”

A tangible storm of anger and confusion swirled in her frontal lobe. Why did I even take his bait to have this conversation? “How could they have escaped? When the war ended with the people dead, the zoo animals would have died. They would have needed someone to provide for them.”

“Maybe someone who survived the war liberated them.”

She shook her head to clear her thoughts. “Enough of this nonsense. I saw something. It could have been a person. It’s getting dark. Are we going to go looking for it, or wait until morning. Edmund, you’re the leader. You decide.”

Edmund shone his flashlight into the foliage where Haley had pointed. “Discovering any surviving refugees is part of our mission. We go. Grab your flashlights and weapons. Safeties on.” He glared at Aldrich. “If it was a refugee, we don’t need anyone getting trigger-happy and killing it. And everyone stick together. Isaac, you stay with Aldrich, we don’t want him ’disappearing’ again.”

An hour later, with auroras lighting up the night sky, they still hadn’t caught the possible refugee.

Like old times, running through the station corridors. Edmund out in front, me right behind.

By just their handheld lights and headlamps, they dodged trees and plowed through the thick undergrowth.

Haley continued forward with the same energy as when the chase began. Our training was worth it. A year ago I couldn’t have kept up this speed for even a minute, not in Earth’s gravity.

A few times it seemed the trail had gone cold. When the group slowed to take stock, another movement or distant sound would draw their attention.

I don’t like this. More than once, when we think we’ve lost the trail, something new keeps us going. Almost like we’re being led somewhere.

“Edmund, wait.”

He sidestepped a large tree, stealing a glance back at her. “What is it, did you see something?”

Circling around the opposite side, Haley drew even with him. “No. I think we’re being tricked. This doesn’t—”

From behind them Aldrich rebuked, “Tricked! What does that mean?” Passing between the twins, he gave Haley a smirk. “You had the idea to follow it.” Moving even faster, and taking the lead, Aldrich yelled back, “Let’s go Edmund. It’s getting away.”

“Come on Haley. Aldrich is right, we don’t want to lose the trail again.”

Edmund immediately regained his previous pace.

She hesitated, frustrated and at a loss for how to get Edmund to understand. Damn you, Aldrich. Why are you listening to him, Edmund?

Realizing everyone had passed her, Haley resigned to keep following.

The trees and storm-worn homes gave way to the remains of larger buildings, former businesses and shared living spaces. The ever-present aurora outlined the destruction. One by one, the group crested a hill and vanished from sight. Haley finished her climb moments after Cygnus. From this vantage point, above the trees and buildings, the aurora’s light showed her a remarkable panoramic view. A mountain range expanded to the south east. Closer, though still a great distance away, tall ruins stretched upwards, like fingers reaching to touch the rainbow-colored night sky. A lone mountain stood as a backdrop to what must have once been a magnificent view. Are those...skyscrapers? This is an old city. And with these trees and the salt water to the West, there are only a few possibilities.

Without breaking stride, the six campers continued down the far side of the hill. Haley still followed, with each step increasing her discomfort as Aldrich led them towards this past metropolis.

As quickly as the buildings shifted from small to large, they stopped and opened into a grass-filled field. Even before reaching the street’s end, Haley could see it. The crumpled remains of an iconic structure.

That’s the Space Needle. This is Seattle. Why would they send us here, where the storms began. The six pursuers, amazed by what they had come across, slowed as they passed. Each taking a closer look, no doubt remembering what they had learned as children. How out of nowhere the sky lit up, the aurora radiating outward from Seattle, covering the Earth in a matter of minutes. Then the storms began, catching everyone off-guard. Killing billions. Dying, humanity came together...and fought each other. The lucky escaped to space. But only the wealthy could afford the exodus.

A century later, things remained the same. The storms still tore across the world. And while there were openings in the clouds, the auroras disrupted most of the view from space. Haley had seen pictures taken from orbit, showing the destruction. She had even seen one showing the Space Needle toppled on its side. But this view was beyond what she had imagined. On the far side of the wreckage, one of its legs had snapped near the ground. Closer, she could see into the the observation deck, half-crushed from the tower’s fall.

People must have been inside when it...just more death and destruction caused by the storms.

They continued running through foliage-covered streets, always rediscovering the trail after it vanished. After another half hour, Aldrich pulled to a stop at the invisible border separating the building-lined streets and and open expanse. Edmund did the same a few steps beyond him.

Missing the signal to halt, Isaac and Bianca continued forward. Cygnus, too, ran past Aldrich and Edmund into the open field.

Haley held up and turned to her brother. “Edmund. Something isn’t right.”

As if on cue, light flooded the grass.

"Everyone stay calm, nobody fire." Edmond sounded alarmed, but it was nothing compared to the sinking feeling in Haley's stomach.

Two blasts sounded from behind Haley's head.

"I said HOLD YOUR FIRE! Shit!" Vegetation shredded like in a giant food processor. Bullets rained at them from all directions. "Take cover!"

Haley dove through the broken window of a building.

The gunfire continued until an unfamiliar female voice shouted over it. “Stop! Stop shooting! People have been hit! What the hell is happening? Nobody was supposed to attack!”

People got shot? Who? Please, not Edmund.

Aldrich, of all people, walked out into the clearing, holding his gun over his head. “It’s all right. Someone made a mistake. A horrible mistake.”

Portable light beams glared from various directions. Several people converged on the spot where she, Edmund, and the rest of their people had just stood. As the lights approached, Haley could see three bodies lying on the ground. Aldrich knelt by them. The newcomers stood around the wounded.

Haley rushed from her shelter, but a hand grabbed her.

“Haley, wait.”

She turned and threw herself into his arms. “Edmond. I thought...maybe one of them…”

“I’m fine. We need to approach slowly.”

They advanced to the common ground. Edmund said, “We’re coming up behind you. Don’t shoot.”

Several beams shone in their faces and blinded them.

The female voice spoke again. “Aldrich, what happened here? I thought we had everything worked out.”

Aldrich? They know him?

Aldrich stood. “I did. I thought I did. One of your scouts was spotted. I had to improvise and move up the first meeting. Someone from our group must have gotten startled and fired a shot. Edmund, they’re dead. Isaac, Cygnus, and Bianca all got shot.”

The female voice again, “We’ve lost at least two as well.”

Haley couldn’t contain herself. “What’s going on here?” She raised her gun and pointed it at Aldrich. “How do you know these refugees? See, Edmund? I told you he was sneaking off for his own purposes.”

Edmund pushed her weapon away. “No one else needs to die.”

Aldrich, not having flinched from the gun being pointed at him, remained firm. “I did sneak away, but it was for a noble reason. I’ve returned to Earth before. You weren’t to know. It’s top-secret. Only about five people from the Solar Council know. You’re mother being one of them. This group of refugees,” he motioned toward them, “they have a plan, a way to fix the Earth’s problems. To stop the storms. And they need our help and the use of our return ship.”

A woman approached. “My name is Elizabeth Monroe. I’m sorry about your comrades. Please believe me when I say no one was supposed to get hurt. Our whole purpose, the reason we hold on from day to day, is to stop the hurt, the destruction. If you’ll follow me, I’ll introduce you to the man who can save the Earth. He can return it to the way it was. Before the storms.”

Haley looked at Edmund, hoping for a clue into his thoughts. Sometimes she could almost feel his emotions. Not this time. Now all she felt was confusion.

“We’ll come with you, but not yet. We’re not going to leave their bodies here. Not for the animals.”

Elizabeth gave a slight nod. “Of course. We’ve already sent for more of our people to come carry the bodies into the underground. But we shouldn’t wait for them. We were supposed to meet tomorrow. Though, since you’re here now, we should proceed. Time is critical and we must have your help.”

“Alright, Haley and I will follow, but I want your group to stay in front of us so we can watch you. Everyone, including Aldrich.”

---

Haley and Edmund followed the others into a building on the far side of the the clearing. After a short entryway, they came across a large open supply room. From the far side of the room, Elizabeth yelled back, “This is where we head down. Watch your step. The stairwell is dark.”

At the bottom of the flight, light bulbs illuminated another large room filled with supplies. How do they have electricity?

Elizabeth pointed to a door with ‘LK’ carved into it. “This way.”

“Lionel, it’s us. We’ve brought them. The ones who can help.”

An elderly man looked up from an ancient looking craft. It could have been an aeroplane, or an early spacecraft, yet Haley had never seen anything exactly like it in a history book. As they approached, she could tell it only appeared old because of the design. The material of its construction looked new.

“Hi, I’m Lionel Kosta.” Lionel removed his safety goggles and placed them on a workbench. The chair stood on wheels. He spun it to face them, revealing his missing legs. “The people of Earth didn’t destroy the planet during a war as you’ve always believed. Time travelers ruined the atmosphere. They must have brought some type of weapon. The war started later when food became scarce. With your help, we can go back in time, and we can stop them.”

****

To be continued...December 17.
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Author's note: First of all, I'm sorry about this whole "To be continued" thing. I promise this is the last one on LQR. Second, you may have noticed I coauthored this story with Scott Harpstrite. He's my cousin, and we've long intended to pen a story together (though, I don't know that any actual pens were used on this story). Well, here's our first completed effort. We didn't know how working together would, well, work, so we planned the two parts of the story far apart to give ourselves plenty of time.

****

Eric Price lives with his wife and two sons in northwest Iowa. He began publishing in 2008 when he started writing a quarterly column for a local newspaper. Later that same year he published his first work of fiction, a spooky children’s story called Ghost Bed and Ghoul Breakfast. Since then, he has written stories for children, young adults, and adults. Three of his science fiction stories have won honorable mention from the CrossTime Annual Science Fiction Contest. His first YA fantasy novel, Unveiling the Wizards’ Shroud, received the Children’s Literary Classics Seal of Approval and the Literary Classics Award for Best First Novel. His second novel, The Squire and the Slave Master, continues the Saga of the Wizards. It is scheduled for an August 4, 2015 release. Find him online at authorericprice.com, Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.

Scott Harpstrite is a scientist, rock climber, and writer. He grew up in central Illinois, often playing on his family's farm and in the nearby woods. His passion for exploration developed into a love of science, travel, and stories. Now working as a lab manager in St. Louis, Scott has co-authored over 15 peer-reviewed publications focused on diagnostic imaging and drug development. When not performing research or visiting new places, Scott writes both science and fantasy fiction.

One Last Camping Trip by Mary Waibel

A final camping trip before college holds changes for Ainsley and Jesse.

***

Sparks flew as the fire snapped and crackled. Orange flames twisted and twirled around each other, climbing higher and higher until they faded away to nothing in the pitch darkness. I picked a flame and followed it from the orange tip, past the yellow layers, to the blue flame that flickered over the blackened log. Rectangles etched across the surface glowed an orangey-red, pulsing to an unheard beat, as if the wood had a heartbeat.

My parents had abandoned the fire half an hour ago, tired out from the hike we’d taken earlier today. While I’d enjoyed walking along the gorge and being sprinkled by the cool water from the cascades, something was missing. No, not something, someone.

Jesse.

Every year our families camped together at Watkins Glen State Park the first week of August. A tradition we started thirteen years ago. We’d hike the gorge, swim in the park pool, and roast marshmallows over the fire. My favorite part was sitting by the fire and falling into the hypnotic stare that came from staring at dancing flames. Like now, except it felt different tonight. Lonelier.

God, I couldn’t even last a day without him. How would I make it an entire semester? I should have applied to schools closer to home, or where Jesse had. Heck, he’d gone with me for tours of schools he had no interest in. No, his heart was set on Harvard and nothing would sway him. Just like nothing would sway me from Cornell.

When I saw the package from Harvard sitting on his kitchen table the week of graduation, the first stirrings of pain swept through me. The thick package meant only one thing. The MBA program at his dream school had accepted him. When I’d asked him about it, he’d shrugged and said he hadn’t decided yet. I’d rolled my eyes and snorted. Harvard was his thing.

But it wasn’t mine. I hadn’t even applied there. Instead, I’d put all my eggs into the Cornell basket and, thanks to my grades, I’d landed in my program of choice—Veterinary Medicine.

Everything was perfect, and yet not. Something was off kilter—missing. All my friends were excited about graduating and going off to college. But I dreaded the day I’d pack up my things and leave because I wouldn’t see Jesse until our first break, which would be months away. We’d never been apart for longer than a day. A week apart would devastate me, and a semester would probably kill me. Phone calls and Skype would help, but they weren’t the same as just being with him. I should have given this more thought before I signed the acceptance letter.

The log shifted and sparks flew in the air. I scooted back, the air cool on my overheated face. Behind me, twigs snapped as something moved through the woods. Probably someone from the site behind us looking for wood to add to their fire.

The cracking grew louder until it sounded like it came from right behind my chair. I jumped and turned, scanning the tree line, my eyes slow to adjust to the utter blackness behind me. Something— no someone—moved toward me.

My body poised for flight and a scream hovered in my throat. Before I released it, a hand slapped over my mouth. An arm wrapped around my waist, trapping me against a hard, warm body. I grabbed at the fingers covering my mouth, trying to tear them away, ignoring the words being whispered in my ear. The person’s grip gentled but didn’t release me.

“Ainsley,” a familiar voice whispered in my ear.

All my bones turned to jelly. “Jesse?”

His breath tickled my ear as he asked, “If I let you go now are you going to scream?”

I shook my head, not wanting him to mistake my muffled answer. His hand drifted away from my mouth, but his arm remained banded around my waist, anchoring me to him. I leaned against him, taking a moment to enjoy the rightness of being in his arms.

“I can’t believe you’re here. Pinch me.”

“What?” He chuckled, the sound rumbling through me, bringing goose bumps to life on my arms. “Why would I do that?”

“So I know I’m not dreaming.”

He spun me around, scooped me into his arms, and sat down in my chair with me on his lap. “You’re not dreaming.”

“But…” I frowned and shook my head. “You said your family wasn’t coming this year.”

“They aren’t. Mom and dad are in Pittsburgh. Dad has mandatory training.”

“Oh, so, why didn’t you go with them?”

He smiled and tugged on a lock of my hair. “Because I had to work. But, it’s the weekend, and I’m off now. You didn’t think I’d miss out on our yearly trip, did you?”

I settled against him and sighed. “Maybe, but I’m glad you came. Nothing’s the same without you.”

His entire body tensed at my words. “Ains, if you can’t make it through a weekend camping trip without me, how are you going to make it through a semester of college?”

Tears burned my eyes as he forced me to face reality. “I don’t know. I guess I’ll be forced to find someone else to hang with.” Not that it would help. No one could replace Jesse. “I don’t want to talk about it now. We have two more weeks until we leave. Let me worry about it then.”

He rubbed his hand up my back and threaded his fingers into my hair, using light pressure to twist my head until my face lifted. His green eyes stared down at me, looming closer as he pressed his forehead to mine.

“Or, we could talk about it now.”

I rolled my eyes. “Right because talking will change the future. You’re going to Harvard and I’m going to Cornell.”

His lips quirked up on the side as if he was fighting a smile. “I never said I was going to Harvard.” He leaned back and tapped my nose with his finger. “You assumed it when you saw the packet from them.”

“You’re going to Harvard. It’s your dream school.”

He shrugged, the movement shifting his hands in my hair, releasing me from his hold. “Not anymore.”

I hopped off his lap and paced toward the fire, needing its warmth to replace the sudden chill in my bones.

“Wh-why isn’t it your dream school?”

He stepped up behind me and wrapped his arms around me. Secure in his embrace, he leaned down, his lips brushing my ear as he whispered, “Because you’re not there.”

I turned in his arms, his hands still on my waist. His gaze drifted over my face, lingering on my lips. “So, where are you going to college?”

He leaned in and brushed his lips over mine so light, so quick, I wasn’t sure it had happened. “Where do you think?”

I slid my hands up his neck, twining my fingers into the hair at the nape of his neck, tugging him closer. This time, when our lips brushed, I felt the touch all the way to my tiptoes. I wanted it to last forever, but he pulled away much too soon.

“Please tell me you’re going to Cornell.”

“Yes.”

He swallowed my squeal of happiness with his lips, and this time, he didn’t pull away too soon.

***

This story is most like The Boyfriend Project, the first in a series of YA romantic comedy novellas releasing at the end of June. For more information, sign up for my newsletter at marywaibel.blogspot.com

Twisting tales one story at a time. 

YA author Mary Waibel’s love for fairytales and happy-ever fill the pages of her works. Whether penning stories in a medieval setting or a modern day school, magic and romance weave their way inside every tale. Strong female characters use both brain and brawn to save the day and win the heart of their men. Mary enjoys connecting with her readers through her website: marywaibel.blogspot.com

***

A Guest at Camp

My pulse raced, the thunder in my ears timed to the wild beating of my heart. Tonight I was going to do it. No hesitating. Now!

The ascent out of my dark safe home took too long, leaving me trembling, drenched in sweat by the time I stood in the world above.

So bright! Wonderful and terrifying in its brilliance. Colors I'd never dreamed existed flashed in my tearing eyes. I shivered, anticipation heady as warm blood flooding through me. The membrane of my newly grown wings quivered in the stirring night air. They were proof of my adulthood, though for a second I wished I was home safe with the horde.

A sudden rumble had me scrambling back into the shadows.  A behemoth tore by, a blur and streak of red light. I followed the meteor with my bewildered eyes. Never had I imagined such a monstrous thing! I nervously stretched my clawed fingers, flexed my hooked toes.

Voices reached me, coming closer, and hunger stabbed at my gut with little claws of its own. With a running hop I scampered down a dark alleyway, instinctively seeking shelter. The creatures grew level with my hideaway and I mewled, imitating the felines who sometimes ventured into our world, deep underground.

The two residents of the above world stopped, peered towards my hiding place in the shadows. Licking my sharp teeth I purred again, drawing them closer. I balanced on my toes, proud of my strength. First I would feed, then explore this strange bright world holding such wonders.

But they stopped, these young creatures, the smaller tugging on the other's arm, drawing him away, back to the hurtful lights. I almost gave up, went home, but the hunger overrode all my fears. I followed them, senses filling with the heady scent of blood and flesh and sweat. The things turned along a narrow pathway and I let out a breath of relief, the soft earth welcome under my tender feet.

Beloved darkness closed around us, a relief to my dazzled eyes. This was my world, the cool night and shadows and the quiet rustles in the tall grass hedging the pathway. I slowed, the two small creatures joining a group of larger, more cumbersome adults. I'd flee if I could, scurry back to lie safely under the streets, but hunger was a quivering pain in my gut. I'd wait. I could be patient.

*  *  *

Tony kicked off the hot blanket, lying naked except for his boxers in the sweltering heat of the tent. He scowled into the darkness. "This is crap. I'm opening the flaps."

"No!" His brother's voice dropped to a hoarse whisper. "I saw something out there, Tony. I swear."

"Whatever, runt. I'm roasting in here."

Tony flicked on his flashlight and crawled to the door, undoing the zipper despite Kevin's whimpers behind him. This annual youth group camp out was boring. He wasn't coming back next year.

The zipper seemed loud in the silent campground, and Tony sucked in his breath at the absolute blackness outside. Where were the lights? There should at least have been one by the outhouse. And it was so quiet, not even the inevitable chirp of frogs at the pond.

"Tony, close the door!"

"Shut up!" He twirled on his brother, the flashlight beam catching the look of horror on his face. What…

A hot, fetid breath touched the back of his neck. Tony turned, his brain unable to make sense of the thing filling the doorway, until it opened its mouth on rows and rows of jagged teeth.

Artwork by: One Good Eye Photography

Dianne Harsock is the author of paranormal/suspense, fantasy adventure, m/m romance, and anything else that comes to mind. Oh, and a floral designer.

Blog: http://diannehartsock.wordpress.com/

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Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/diannehartsock

Tales From the Field: Olivia's Camp Fail by Katie L. Carroll

Sometimes the hardest person to forgive is yourself.

The table sags under heaping containers of salad, pasta, and rolls at our pregame party the night before the big match against our cross-town rivals Valley High. But all it takes for me to lose my appetite is one comment from team captain Megan.

“We don’t want a repeat of camp finals.”

The low rumble of conversation and the smack of full mouths immediately ceases as nearly every player on the Central High women’s soccer team looks at me. I lock my gaze on the fat meatball atop a pile of spaghetti covered with tomato sauce, which I’m sure matches the color of my face right now.

“What happened at camp?” asks Brooke. An innocent enough question, if you don’t know what happened this summer—which she doesn’t because freshmen don’t attend camp—but a terribly taboo one if you do know what happened.

Sadie comes to my rescue. “We lost in extra time to those stuck-up Valley girls, but it wasn’t Olivia’s fault.”

Finding the courage to look up from my plate, I smile at Sadie. She’s best friends with Addison Hunter, but we’ve grown a lot tighter since Hunter got hurt during preseason.

“It was my fault.” I’m the first to admit that.

I set my plate down on a TV tray and take in the eyes of all the girls in Denise’s living room. Most of them have looked away by now, but I meet Paloma’s dark brown ones, full with curiosity. She’s a sophomore, but didn’t attend camp because she’s new to the team after moving here from Spain.

“You don’t have to talk about it,” she says in a soft accent.

“No, you and Brooke should know…” Heat rises up my neck to my face, and beads of sweat form under my sports bra. “It’s just embarrassing, that’s all.”

I take a deep breath and prepare to face not only the worst moment in my soccer career but probably my love life as well. It all started on the first day of our weeklong co-ed camp at the state university campus. As both of Central High’s varsity teams piled off the school bus, I noticed Valley’s bus was right in front of ours. And one of their players was staring right at me.

He had dark brown hair, shiny with gel, and a tan face. A flash of a smile exposed a chipped top tooth, and I remember running my tongue over my own straight, smooth teeth. He wore a jersey of the Italian national team, baggy soccer shorts, and blue socks with white stripes at the top pulled all the way up to his knees. A duffel bag was slung loose over one shoulder.

He looked more like a model trying to be a soccer player than an actual player. You could tell his teammates worshipped him by the way they surrounded him. Most of them had tried to copy his style but none quite pulled it off the way he did. Everything about him screamed arrogance; not my type at all.

Busy with training sessions in the morning and scrimmages in the afternoon, I didn’t really think about him most of the week. But every once in a while in the cafeteria or at the water station, I’d catch him staring at me. I kept hearing his teammates yelling his name across the fields. “Marco, I’m open!” “Marco, check this out!” “Marco! Marco! Marco!”

He was Valley High’s star player and leading goal scorer with an ego the size of Italy—his favorite team, of course. Absolutely not my type. Yet I was fascinated by him, and his seeming fascination of me.

None of this I told Brooke and Paloma. They just needed to know the facts. So I started the story on our last night of camp. We had the evening off in preparation for finals the next morning. The competition had been fierce over the week, but our team and Valley High’s team had risen to the top in the women’s bracket. We would face off with them after the men’s final game, and the whole camp would gather to watch both matches.

Valley’s men’s team had also made it to the finals, largely thanks to spectacular play by none other than Mr. Spectacular Himself Marco. Our men’s team would sadly be watching from the sidelines after losing in the quarterfinals.

Megan called a team strategy session that droned on for forever. When we were finally released, a bunch of us had decided to hang out in the common area of the college.

It was pretty crowded, but Sadie, Hunter, and I managed to find a free love seat by the TV to squeeze into together. We were watching Bend it Like Beckham when Marco and his entourage barreled into the common room. It seemed the whole room paused to take in His Magnificence. I spared him a glance before turning back to the movie.

Like a bee to honey, he zoomed right to the three of us. He perched himself on the arm of the love seat, forcing me to move my arm. I groaned, but he didn’t seem to hear it. An assault of cologne made my eyes water.

“You’re a goalie, right?” he asked.

“Yup.” I kept my gaze glued on the screen.

“Tough bunch, you goalies.” He pinched my arm. “Wanna go for a walk? We could trade victory stories.”

I grabbed my arm and glared up at him. Oh my God, who did this guy think he was? He smiled, showing off the chipped tooth like a badge of honor. Sadie and Hunter exchanged a look and giggled. Hunter, who was closet to me, elbowed me and mouthed, “Go.”

“No way,” I mouthed back.

They collectively pushed me up and out of my spot, practically into Marco’s lap. He took my hand in his, which I was surprised to find was a little sweaty, looked me right in the eyes, and said, “Please.”

I glanced back at my good-for-nothing teammates to find they had spread out to fill in my seat. Sadie raised an eyebrow at me and flicked her hand toward the door. Warmth spread across my face and I figured the fresh air would do me good.

I pulled my hand from Marco’s and muttered, “Fine,” as I headed toward the exit. He followed close behind. We walked around campus in silence for awhile. Finally we ended up on one of the grass practice fields.

Marco tried to take my hand again, but I tucked them under my armpits. He walked to the goal line, bent down, and kissed the white line. Then he lay on his back with his feet in the goal and his head on the field.

He extended his neck to look at me and a patted the goal line next to him before tucking his hands behind his head. “Come on. I'm  not going to kick you. Though I've done that to my fair share of goalies.”

Reluctantly I sat down next to him. There was no way I was laying down next to this guy.

“Being a goal scorer isn’t much different than being a goalie.” His eyes were closed as he quietly talked. “We both spend a lot of time thinking about this line we’re on. You want to keep the ball from crossing it, and I want to push it past. We take lots of risks in our positions. Our teams depend on us. We can make or break a game—a season—with one heroic move…or one mistake.” He stared up at me. “It’s a lot of pressure, isn’t it?”

I shrugged, unnerved by his intense honesty. “I guess.” When I play, I try not to think of the pressure, stay in the moment.

“I admire goalies,” he said. “I admire you, the way you play. You’re confident, but not in a showy way. I don’t know how to be like that. If I don’t strut my stuff on and off the field, I don’t have it…the confidence.”

My mouth suddenly turned very dry and I swallowed. “You’re a star with or without the strut.”

He sat and scooted right next to me, shoulder-to-shoulder. We were facing opposite directions but our mouths were lined up perfectly.

“I wish I could be more like you with your natural confidence.” I felt his breath on my lips as he talked. The cologne wasn’t so assaulting out there in the open. He leaned in. Just as our lips touched, a hissing sound filled my ears, and then we were getting soaked. The sprinklers had turned on!

I jumped to my feet and squealed. Marco let out a booming laugh. He took my hand and we ran around the field, jumping in the water like little kids. He walked me back to my dorm. I shivered in the night air and he rubbed the goose bumps off my arms.

Acting like a gentleman, he gave me peck on the cheek. I turned into his lips and grabbed the back of his head, pulling him in for a real kiss. After, he smiled, and for the first time, I found his chipped tooth enduring instead of irritating.

“Good luck tomorrow,” he said.

“You too.” I squeezed his hand and headed back to my room.

All of these memories come to me in a moment, but all I say to the girls is that Marco and I went for walk and got to know each other.

“They kissed!” Sadie giggles. I throw a pillow at her, almost knocking her plate of food on the floor.

“Lot of good it did me,” I say as my thoughts turn to the next morning. “They won their final game, Marco and Valley High. Then him and his teammates stayed to watch our game. They cheered for the Valley women’s team, naturally.”

Though Marco was more subdued than I had ever seen him. I had forced myself to focus on the game and thought no more of him.

“We were in extra time, tied 1-1. The Valley center midfielder kicked a ball over our defense. I ran out to get it. One of their forwards was racing towards me. Just before I reached the ball, I heard a familiar shout—“ my voice breaks off. My face burns with mortification.

It was Marco, cheering for her, not me. Not that I ever expected him to cheer for me over his school, but it was a shock to hear him rooting for them so exuberantly.

“What happened?” Brooke’s eyes are wide.

All I say is, “We lost.” What happened was I hesitated. The Valley forward got a foot on the ball and scored. The whistle blew. The game was over. 

“And it wasn’t just Olivia’s fault,” says Sadie, and I love her for coming to my defense. “That player and the ball had to get past the rest of us before they got to you.”

Megan cuts in, “Olivia lost her concentration. That’s what happened. But it won’t happen again, right?”

I shake my head. But I’m not convincing anyone, certainly not myself. I haven’t seen Marco since camp. He tried to talk to me as we waited to board the bus, but I huddled into the cocoon of my teammates.

Marco’s urgent voice reached me from behind their shoulders. “I just want a minute to talk.”

Sadie and Hunter shielded me, wouldn’t let him get close. I was able to avoid him then, but tomorrow I’m sure he’ll be at the game. I don’t know how I’ll react when I see him, and I can’t afford to lose my concentration again.

***

Stay tuned next month to find out how Olivia and the Central High women's team fares against cross-town rivals Valley High! Plus, don't miss all the other Tales From the Field. 

Katie L. Carroll is a mother, writer, editor, and soccer player. She began writing at a very sad time in her life after her 16-year-old sister, Kylene, unexpectedly passed away. Since then writing has taken her to many wonderful places, real and imagined. She wrote her YA fantasy ELIXIR BOUND so Kylene could live on in the pages of a book. Katie is also the author of the picture app THE BEDTIME KNIGHT and a contributor to THE GREAT CT CAPER, a serialized mystery for young readers. She lives not too far from the beach in a small Connecticut city with her husband and sons. For more about Katie, visit her website at www.katielcarroll.com.

Spotlight on Dianne Hartsock

This month we shine the spotlight onto Dianne Hartsock. Whether wrapped inside fantasy or a psychological thriller, Dianne always has an element of romance in the story as well.

She grew up in one of the older houses in the middle of Los Angeles, a place of hardwood floors and secret closets and back staircases. It’s where her love of the mysterious and wonderful came from. Dianne now lives in the beautiful Willamette Valley of Oregon with her darling husband.

She says Oregon’s raindrops are the perfect setting in which to write. There’s something about being cooped up in the house while it pours rain outside, a fire crackles on the hearth inside, and a cup of hot coffee warms her hands which kindles her imagination.

Currently, Dianne works as a floral designer in a locally-owned gift shop. Which is the perfect job for her. When not writing, she can express herself through the rich colors and textures of flowers and foliage.

LQR: Tell our readers a little about you.

Dianne: Hello! Hope you're having a fantastic day. So, what can I say about myself? I've been writing since the age seven but have only been a published author for the last three years. Let me tell you, though, I've enjoyed every moment of it! There's nothing I like better than to sit in front of a keyboard and see where my characters take me this time. I've also made some great friends through social media, not only promoting my own stories but theirs as well. I have a great time attending writer's conferences and book signings and meeting up with fellow authors I don't see otherwise. If I could, I'd be a full time writer, but since I like to eat and have a roof over my head, my day job is being a floral designer, which I happen to love as well, so I guess that's not so bad.

LQR: If you had to pick only one moment that spurred you to write professionally, what moment is the most defining?

Dianne: In seventh grade I had the most amazing creative writing teacher. Best of all? She liked my stories and would often read sections of them to the class as examples. Her belief in me gave me the confidence to keep writing, and eventually to start submitting my work.

LQR: Does the majority of your work focus around or within a single theme? If so, what is it?

Dianne: Though it may not seem like it at first glance, all my stories focus around love, whether it be the love for a partner or child or friend. Even in my psychological thrillers, we still see the affection between the characters. My stories are always character driven, passionate and intimate, with the concern and care they have for each other getting them through the dark times to the Happily Ever After.

LQR: Tell us what you’re currently working on.

Dianne: I'm really excited about my current WIP, working title: Birthday Presents. It's another thriller novel, and though I don't like to give away too much of the plot this early in the game, it involves a man who kills once a year, on his birthday. There are Sherriff's Department detectives, escapes and captures, fear and torture, and yes, love. The love between brothers, one who won't give in and one who won't give up on him. Strong friendships put to the test, and of course, my sweet romance running in the background.

LQR: What is one of your favorite authorial moments from your career so far?

Dianne: I try to attend book signings a couple of times a year, and though this incident happens with surprising (astonishing) frequency, this first time still leaves me feeling awed and utterly validated as a writer. My first book signing took place in a small coffee shop during the Christmas season, and a man came up and said he traveled over an hour through traffic and a rainstorm for the sole purpose of meeting me and having me sign a copy of my book for him. Talk about a jaw dropping, awesome moment! I didn't even know anyone outside my little group of family and friends had even heard of me. If I ever needed motivation to keep going, that was it.

LQR: That’s great! Speaking of ‘keep going,’ share with us a five year and ten year goal for your writing career.

Dianne: Please excuse me while I fall into a helpless pile of giggles! I'm lucky when I can plan out a single week, let alone that far into the future. At the moment, one of my publishers has dissolved and I'm scrambling with rewrites and finding new homes for my babies. (Luckily, these were my short stories, so it’s a simple matter of adding a few more chapters here and there to meet requirements before sending them out to seek their fortunes). Oh, and I also have a story to write for a coming up charity anthology…

I'd also like to have Birthday Present finished by the end of summer, before edits come in for a novel I have coming out this December.

Will I keep writing in the next 5 to 10 years? Most definitely! At the moment I have at least five other novels floating around in my head plus others lurking on the horizon. It's just a matter of scraping together the time to write them!

LQR: Do you write what you read? Watch? What are your favorite television shows and movies?

Dianne: Oh, I definitely write what I read and watch. My short stories are all m/m romances, with a trace of gay sensuality in my novels as well. I'm fascinated with the genre and read everything my author friends put out. I also like paranormals and medical thrillers and some fantasy. As for TV, I watch anything sci/fi or paranormal, including Supernatural and X-File reruns, all the Star Treks, Babylon 5, and lots more. As for movies, I have a weakness for disaster films. In fact, we're going to go see San Andreas this weekend. But I've also found I enjoy such movies as The Theory of Everything, The Woman in Gold, and The Imitation Game. Fascinating stories.

LQR: If you had one week away from any and all responsibility what would you want to spend your time doing?

Dianne: Is this a trick question? Write, of course! I'd love to rent a small house on the beach with a refrigerator full of yummy food and a coffee shop around the corner. What could be more ideal?

LQR: Anything else you’d like to add?

Dianne: Not really, except to thank everyone for stopping in and if you have any questions, feel free to ask them. I have very few secrets.

LQR: Where can readers find you online?

Blog: http://diannehartsock.wordpress.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/diannehartsock

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/diannehartsock

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4707011-dianne-hartsock

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Dianne-Hartsock/e/B005106SYQ/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1361897239&sr=8-1

ARe Books: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html

Readers, we invite you to ask further questions in the comments. Thanks for talking with us, Dianne!