Free Falling (Bits and Pieces, Book 1) by Shirley Miranda

up the pink and brown plaid purse. “You think? I didn’t think it matched my shoes, but I like to live on the edge of fashion.” He laughed.
    “Well, it does make a statement.”
    “It’s Becca’s. She’s in the restroom.” He explained.
    “What are you doing here? Don’t you have practice?”
    “We have a game tonight. So, no practice. It’s at Pines Academy . You’re welcome to come…” His face lit up when he talked about the game.
    I interrupted him. “Thanks. But I don’t think so. My folks won’t let me. They’re letting me go to tomorrow, so I’m not pushing my luck.”
    “That’s what I figured. But I thought I’d ask.” He sounded a little disappointed. He quickly changed the subject. “Anyway… tomorrow. Andy and I will pick you up at around 2:00.”
    “Okay. Did the directions I gave you make sense?” I hoped they did. I really suck at directions. Even to my own house. It wasn’t like I had a bunch of people coming over to hang out at my place, so the only time I had given directions out was to relatives. And I rarely did that.
    “Yeah. But, just in case, I have GPS. So, I should be fine.”
    Becca walked up to us. “Paddy, who’s the stray?”
    Patrick turned to her and shook his head. “Becca, this is Liz.” He pointed to me. He looked at me. “Liz, Becca, my girlfriend.”
    “Hi.” I suddenly felt microscopic and insignificant. She was tall, but then again just about anyone was taller than me, with long beautiful highlighted blond hair that was movie perfect. She carried this attitude like nothing bothered her. Clearly, she got what she wanted. The purse that Patrick held for her matched her outfit perfectly. I wore clothes. She wore outfits.
    “Liz the lab partner?” She asked him.
    “Yes.” Never thought that it was part of my name, but okay.
    “Hi, Liz. Hope he doesn’t bore you with all that science stuff, like he does with me. Just do what I do, nod and let him do whatever and it’ll be painless.” She really believed that. I couldn’t believe it. She actually thought she was offering useful advice.
    “Umm…” I looked at Patrick. What was I supposed to say to that?
    “Becca, there are girls that like science. Liz does.”
    “Come on. Let’s go.” She was impatient. Or bored. I couldn’t tell.
    “Go? I thought you wanted to watch the auditions.” He was puzzled.
    “Well, yeah. But I want to sit with Grace.” She grabbed her purse from him and started to walk away. “Come on.”
    He slowly stood up, looked at me and rolled his eyes. “I gotta go. Well, good luck.”
    Becca turned back. “Good luck? Oh, Liz… you’re trying out?”
    “Yeah, I am.” There was no reason to hide it, she would find out soon enough.
    “Well, then… good luck. You’re gonna need it.” She was snide.
    “Becca!” Patrick was shocked at her remark.
    “What?! She does… if she thinks she’s better than Grace.” She didn’t seem to have the ability to be honest and polite at the same time. Maybe she didn’t care. She was snotty. I didn’t know her, but I already didn’t like her. I didn’t get a good feeling from her.
    “How would you know?” He challenged.
    “Paddy, let’s go already.” She took his hand and pulled him in her direction.
    He whispered to me, “Ignore her.”
    Becca wrapped her arms around him as they walked to the front to sit with Grace.
    As expected, Jackie was amazing. She exuded confidence and poise. She knew she was good, everyone did. Her friends cheered as she hit the final notes of her song. The audience applauded loudly at the end.
    It went pretty much the same way with Grace. Her voice filled the auditorium. She looked like a natural on stage. She hit every note perfectly. The cheers and applause for her were just as loud as for Jackie. I saw Becca jump up enthusiastically and give Grace a hug once she got back to her seat.
    I didn’t envy the teachers judging. I couldn’t pick between the two of them. Why did I think I