A Sneak Peek: Excerpt from Chapter 1

Here’s a third look into my latest Work-in-Progress. This scene is between Keira and Jana. They grew up together and are best friends. There are a few key things planted in this scene that are important later in the story. Can you spot them? What do you think they are?

That’s all for now. Enjoy the small bite into this new Work in Progress.

The eerie sense of being followed crept over me. I glanced up at the trees and didn’t even see any birds or even a squirrel. As far as I knew, I was alone on this path. I quickened my steps, hoping to shake the feeling, and hurried to the more active wood chip path. Once there, the eerie feeling left, and I focused on getting to the gym. Perhaps I was just creeped out by the news reports about the attacks.

I was already running a bit late for the training session Jana would be running. Truthfully, I hadn’t planned on meeting my best friend, but Grandma’s talk about the one day dream was uncomfortable to sit through. Grandma meant well and cared, but lately she wouldn’t let go of the idea. Her encouragement was frustrating.

I reached Jana’s gym. There was a sign with a serpentine dragon over the words Fighting Dragon Kickboxing and Muay Thai.

Jana and I had signed up for classes in high school because her parents wanted her to learn a martial art. And as her BFF, of course, I supported her. We settled on kickboxing because we liked the idea of kicking the heavy practice bags. Tai Chi, while graceful and beautiful, seemed too sedate. Jana said it was an exercise in China that only her grandparents did. Other martial arts were either too intense, had too much punching, or were vetoed for being too cliché.

Jana was leading a women’s fight class, so I headed to the locker room to change.

“Keira! You didn’t text.” Jana adjusted her workout shirt when she met me in the locker room after the class finished.

“Sorry, it was a last-minute decision.” I opened my locker, pulled out workout clothes, and started to change.

“I’m glad you came.” Jana pulled her long black hair back into a ponytail and then twisted it into a bun. Two long strands hung loose along either side of her face.

Jana used to fight professionally, and she was amazing, fierce, and graceful. She excelled with many weapons but was particularly skilled with a Chinese double-bladed sword and a Bo Staff. While I visited the gym to exercise, Jana was a fighter, though she gave up the profession about two years ago.

“I’m glad I came, too.” I stuffed my clothes into the locker.

“You should join us after the workout. The women are great to hang out with.”

I split my hair into three strands and started a French braid. “Maybe. I have work tomorrow.”

Jana rolled her eyes. “You always have work.”

“Hey, a baker’s shift starts at 3:00am. I can’t stay out late.”

“Fair, but it just feels like we never get together anymore.”

I tied an elastic around the tail of my braid and tossed it over my shoulder. “I’ll join when I don’t have to go to work the next day.”

Jana stood and crossed her arms. “When?”

I scowled. “I don’t know…” I was about to say one-day, but clamped my lips to those words. Instead, I said, “I’ll have to check my schedule.”

“Okay, I’ll see you out there. And I’m glad you came.”

Jana left the room leaving me to toss my belongings in the locker. I knew Jana was right. I missed hanging out with her and feeling like I had friends. But a baker’s schedule meant I was headed to bed around 5:00 or 6:00 in the evening. I shut the locker door.

One day life would be different. I’d have time for friends, and I’d run my own bakery.