When Our Worlds Collide (Our Worlds #1)

by Lindsey Iler

I know how pathetic it sounds. The fresh breeze circles through my car, and music fills the space around me. My one and only goal, dancing in front of everyone without making a complete idiot of myself, has been reached, and for the first time tonight, I relax. Since we live three miles from the school, I’m home in no time. My parents’ cars are in the driveway, but they shouldn’t be home. It’s their anniversary, for crying out loud. Earlier, I had to convince them not to come watch me since they’ve seen me dance almost every day since I was three. Missing one performance wouldn’t kill them. When I step through the front door, their harsh, angry words greet me. It’s the same old argument. How are they going to continue helping my brother with school while sending me to Columbia at the same time? The odd thing is I haven’t been accepted yet, but they still insist on having the pointless fights. My hope is to go on scholarship, and I’ve explained I’m not against taking out student loans. They counter with the same dispute every time. “We aren’t making your brother, and we aren’t going to make you.” Unnoticed by my parents, I walk straight to my room and pull on a pair of my most comfortable, ratty sweatpants and hoodie. As I drop onto my bed, I grab my book off the nightstand. I try to read, but drowning out their words is impossible. Whenever my parents fight, the urge to go for a walk won’t let me go. My window is the door to my escape. One night after a big blowout, I snuc...