Torn Souls

All Rights Reserved

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, places, businesses, and incidents are from the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual places, people, or events is purely coincidental. Any trademarks mentioned herein are not authorized by the trademark owners and do not in any way mean the work is sponsored by or associated with the trademark owners. Any trademarks used are specifically in a descriptive capacity.

This is a work of fiction. Any name, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination, or used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locations, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

ISBN-13:978-1470010676

ISBN-10:1470010674

Copyright October 2012

By Crystal Cattabriga

Editor

Joyce Warrick Epps

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Graphic Designer

Regina Wamba

MaeIDesign and Photography

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Bragging Rights

Joy Tontillo-Stroube

Acknowledgments

This book is dedicated to all the children who have lost their lives from being bullied and the ones who will find the strength and courage to continue on.....

The unspeakable acts of bulling can destroy a life. So many children are affected in the world and together we can make a difference. Let’s be the change we want to see in the world.

Matthew Shepard

12/1/1976 – 10/12/1998

John Gettle

02/21/1988 – 04/16/2002

Ryan Patrick Halligan

12/18/1989 – 10/07/2003

Eric. P. “Twiggy” Mohat

03/16/1990 – 03/29/2007

Jaheem Herrera

07/5/1997 – 04/06/2009

Phoebe Prince

11/24/1994 – 01/14/2010

Ty Field Smalley

06/16/1998 – 05/13/2010

Tyler Clementi

12/19/1991 – 09/22/2010

Asher Brown

01/03/1997 – 09/23/2010

Nicholas Kelo Jr.

10/01/1997 – 02/23/2011

Jamey Rodemeyer

03/21/1997 – 09/18/2011

James Hubley

1996 – 10/15/2011

Marjorie Raymond

1996 – 11/28/2011

Celina Okwuone, Kimberly Linzeski, Brandon Bitner, Samantha Kelly, Caleb Nolt, Jamarcos Bell, Ashley Rogers, Alexandria Moore, Harrison Brown, Justin Aaberg, Edward Collier, Cassidy Joy Andel, Alexis Pilkington, Christian Taylor, Cody Barker, Felix Sacco, Scott Wala, Jesse Buchsbaum, Jorndan Binion, Zach Harrington.

These are just some of the kids who have lost their lives from being bullied. Today marks a new day. These are the days where we’ll stand as one and be strong for each other.

Today I pledge to no longer stand and do nothing.

Today I pledge to be a voice for others.

Today I pledge to always have your back.

Today I will take this pledge and make a change in the world.

Prologue

I’ve waited a long time for this, but then again so have so many other people in the world. I’m so nervous, yet so excited. Today marks a moment in the world where history will be made. As I sit on my bed, I stare out my window. The sky is bluer than I’ve ever seen it. The sun is shining bright. I know I have to get moving, but yet I want to take it all in, so I get up off my bed and walk over to my window opening it up. While sticking my head out, I breathe in the warm summer air. Within seconds, my emotions take over hitting me like a ton of bricks, and I can feel tears start to fall. These are happy tears, so I don’t care. I let them fall all the way down touching my chin before wiping them away.

Just as I’m about to shut my window and find something casual, yet sophisticated to wear, I hear my mother calling me from down stairs, “Julia, honey, time to get up.”

I open my bedroom door so I don’t have to yell, letting her know that I’m up.

“Are you going to eat breakfast first or get dressed?” She asks in her sweet mom voice.

“I’m going to get dressed first, and then I’ll be down. Is that okay or did you already make my breakfast?” I asked just to make sure she didn’t already have my breakfast made. I hate eating breakfast when it’s cold.

“No, dear, you’re fine. By the time you come down it should be done. Oh, and remember we need to be out of the house and on the road in an hour, Julia.”

“Okay,” Mom, I’ll be ready.”

After closing my bedroom door to get dressed, I walk over to my closet looking for the perfect outfit. I’m not sure what to wear seeing I have so many clothes to choose from. Ever since I was born both of my parents have seemed to do a good job spoiling me. I’m pretty sure the reason why they continue to spoil me is because it’s their way of saying “Sorry you’re an only child.” I remember when I was younger I would ask my parents if they would give me a brother or sister so I wouldn’t grow up alone. Unfortunately, the only thing they gave me was a lame excuse by saying “We’re sorry honey, but with both of us working we don’t have time to raise another child.”

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the finer things in life like any teenage girl, but I’ve never been a popular kid, so I’ve always been on my own. It’s taken me a long time to be comfortable with myself.

Moving my hangers back and forth I finally make a decision. I decide to grab my red and black plaid skirt with my red blouse from the closet and lay them on my bed. Now comes the hardest part, deciding which way to wear my hair. If I put it in a ponytail, I’d look too much like a childish school girl, so I decide leave it down. After brushing all the knots out of my hair, I change into my outfit. I chose to wear flats rather than a heel knowing I’ve never been good at walking in them. I don’t want to take a chance of falling flat on my face. This will be the day that will define who I am as a person and help define so many others. Everything has to be just perfect.

Turning to look at my alarm clock, I realize I only have half an hour before we have to leave. Quickly sliding my shoes on, I put on my gold earrings that my dad bought me on my thirteenth birthday and my silver charm bracelet that Alex bought me especially for this occasion. I take one quick glance in my vanity mirror to make sure I look okay and then head on downstairs to the kitchen to eat breakfast. While waiting for Mom to finish making pancakes, Dad begins to read an article from the newspaper to me about city pollution. Even though some of the articles Dad reads to me I find a bit boring, I always take the time to listen. I’ve always admired both of my parents for who they are and for the careers they have. My mom works as a criminal lawyer for a huge law firm and my dad’s a state’s attorney. Growing up they’ve taught me to stand up for what I believe in and always be true to myself.

I’ve been blessed with such loving parents and I’ve tried to apply everything they’ve taught me into my life, but as a teenager it’s hard. When I was younger, the only thing I had to worry about was eating all my vegetables, getting good grades, and remembering to brush my teeth twice a day. Now that I’m fifteen and in high school it’s a lot harder.

“Okay, guys, time to eat,” Mom says while she slides the plate with the stack of pancakes on the table.

Even though my mom works all kinds of crazy hours, she still finds time to do things with me. At least once a week, she takes me out for lunch and then we hit the mall to do a little shopping. If I need help with school work she stops what she’s doing just to help me. And when she’s not doing stuff with work or me, she’s cooking, cleaning, and trying to spend time with my dad. I truly admire her.

“So, Julia, do you have everything you need for today?” Mom asks.

“Yes, it’s all here in my folder.”

“Isn’t Alex supposed to be here? Or is he going to meet us? ” Dad asks.

“He said he’d be here, but I don’t know why he hasn’t shown up yet.”

“So why not call him,” Mom suggests.

I didn’t want to jump the gun, so I figure I’d give him five more minutes before calling. Alex and I have been best friends for close to a year now. We attend the same school, and both are in the same grade except we have no classes together. Alex happened to help me out on my first day and we’ve been friends ever since. Neither one of us is popular in school, so we try to just stick together. While finishing the last of my pancakes, I hear the doorbell. It has to be Alex, so I excuse myself from the table and rush to the door.

Opening the door, there Alex stood. He has a huge grin on his face. I ask him why he’s grinning from ear to ear. Looking at me he says, “You clean up pretty nice, Julia.”

“Right back at you,” I say while punching him in his arm. “Now, come on!”

Alex follows me into the kitchen where Mom’s just finishing cleaning up and Dad’s putting on his blue blazer.

“Look who’s here!” I say as I throw out my hands like I’m showing Alex off.

“Good morning, Alex. Are you hungry?” Mom asks.

“Honey, we don’t have enough time. We need to leave any minute.” Dad reminds her while tapping on his wrist watch with a smile.

“Oh, that’s alright, Mrs. Stone. My mother made sure I ate before I left the house, but thank you for offering,” says Alex.