Mandy's Miracle

Alright!
Yes, I've been working on the next book in the series! This one has been a bit more challenging - in the creative process. Writing Riley's Gift was such a learning experience - now it's time to put all those things I've learned into writing this one. Hopefully with LESS re-writing and edits. IS that possible???
NO. Probably not...
I've already redone the first section of it - a FEW times.
At any rate... here is the latest and greatest..... tell me what you think! (keep in mind - it's NOT edited!!! Because I'm not supposed to be editing - I'm supposed to be writing! :)

Mandy's Miracle - Excerpt of Chapter One 

Amanda Phillips couldn’t remember the last time she felt this beautiful. Looking down at her dress she gasped … it was covered in diamonds, tiny flexs of diamonds. She sparkled and glowed like a princess. Her fingers were perfectly manicured and the gorgeous ring on her finger caused her to look across from her.  The carriage she sat in rocked slowly as she gazed into the blue pools of dreaminess smiling back at her. Gosh, he was gorgeous. Kyle Lund personified prince charming. His white suit made him look even tanner than he actually was. Maybe things were going to be okay afterall. Amanda’s shoulders releaxed as she gazed up toward the cloudless sky. She felt her tiara slide back and she reached up to hold it in place and giggled.

Kyle’s warm fingers found her arm. “You are so beautiful.”

His voice echoed in her head and she felt like she was floating. Several birds flew above them in a collective stream as rose pedals fell from their beaks. Glancing at the driver of the carriage she noticed it was a young boy. He turned back to look at her she felt the sickly twinge in her stomach. No, this was real, this had to be real. Squeezing her eyes shut she ran her fingers along the material covering her seat and she gripped at her dress. It was real. It had to be. Holding her breath she opened one eye and glanced at Kyle, he was still handsome as ever and smiling at her. For a brief moment the small child caught her eye and he mouthed the words ‘Pay Attention, Mandy’. Ignoring the child-driver she steadied her breathing and refused to take her eyes off her gorgeous companion. He opened his mouth and said, “You are so beautiful … I can’t believe you would be so stupid…”

Kyle’s golden flexs of hair slowly darkened as his beautiful blue eyes sunk to a deep green. The crisp white suit transformed into black leather and the comforting voice became scolding, “… to trust a low life like Kyle Lund. Jeez, Amanda- he doesn’t want you- it’s over…”

In one swoop Amanda felt as though she were falling, swirling round and round… with Shawn Cohen’s penetrating green eyes judging her.

“It’s over!” echoing, bouncing off the walls of her brain.

She covered her face, but that didn’t help. She covered her ears but no use. She continued to hear the yelling.

“It’s over!”

A loud crashing sound caused her to sit up in her bed. Breathing heavily she looked around in a panic. Another nightmare. When would it end? Did she have to be reminded not only in real life but also in her dreams? Kyle Lund dumped her thanks to Shawn Cohen—The last person she wanted to ever see. And if that wasn’t bad enough, why did her brother Joey always have to make an appearance in her dreams?

“It’s over, Sandy.”

Amanda’s stomach did a flip hearing the audible voice outside her dreams. She glanced toward the door and listened carefully.

“I’m sick of it, Sandy! What do you expect me to do?” Her father’s voice bounced off the walls in the hallway.

Amanda rolled over in bed and wished she was back at the Baker’s for Christmas. But Christmas was over and now they were moving toward New Year’s. Another year of the same depressing life. Her parents had been fighting since they’d returned from Uncle Johnny’s house, and since she hadn’t gone with them, she wasn’t sure what exactly happened. Usually they ignored each other. But now, Amanda didn’t know what to think, or what to do.

“I’m done. It’s over!” Her dad’s voice seemed different-- serious.

Amanda rolled out of bed and peaked out the door. Her dad held a suitcase, his face looked beyond angry.

“You can’t leave us.” Her mom stood holding her stomach. 

This wasn’t happening. Could her life get any worse? Seriously?

Her dad walked up to his wife and held her shoulder. “I’m not leaving Amanda. I’m leaving you. I can’t take it anymore, Sandy, for seven years I’ve watched you destroy our family and I’m not going to do it anymore.”

“Me? I didn’t kill our son. You did!” Her mothers voice reverberated pain.

Doug Phillips raised his hand and Amanda gasped as both her parents turned toward her. She felt as though she would throw up right there and the hand covering her mouth was not going to help. She took a step back and closed the door.

“See what you’ve done now? And for God’s sake, it was an accident. Stop blaming me. Thanks for making it crystal clear of why I have to leave you.”

Amanda slid down and sat on the floor, her pajamas twisted under her. Her breathing grew heavy as her eyes scanned her room looking through everything. First I lose Joey, now my dad. She pulled her legs up and wrapped her arms around her knees burying her head. She cried. Through her sobs she heard a rumbling, sounded like kids beating on a trash dumpster. The noise got louder … Amanda finally glanced up, it wasn’t coming from outside her room. Her ceiling had transformed into a storm-- swirling clouds, flashes of light and the unbelievable sound of pouring rain. This was a new phenomenon for Amanda, and one she wasn’t excited about. She felt crazy. At least she finally figured out that she was the only one who saw these strange things. But nonetheless it was totally annoying. Out of nowhere storms blow into her life and she’s always left wondering why.

 “Why? What did I do to deserve this?” She whispered.

You were stupid enough to overdose on pills and end up in a coma—that’s why. Now nothing is ever going to be the same. It wasn’t, that was a fact. She hadn’t tried to commit suicide like her friends had thought. She just wanted to sleep-- didn’t want to be reminded of how awful it felt for Kyle to toss her aside. It was an accident, and now she was paying for it. Just like she was still paying for Joey’s accident.

“Mandy! Are you there?” Her mother’s voice came through the door.

            “Yes, mom.” Amanda wiped her eyes with her sleeve and got up.