She Came to Conquer

made my way through the chaotic school hallway. Not that I really neede

e quiet girl with oversized glasses that slid down her nose, braces that glint

lled past, their laug

my skirt with a sneer. "Love the skirt-very fashi

fixed on the floor. I had learned the hard way tha

, distant, and just out of the teacher's direct line of sight. I pulled out my noteboo

ni

every detail. His warm golden skin always caught the light just right, and his perfectly trimmed dark hair never seemed out of place. But it

ually, his deep, honeyed voice w

p of girls chorused, their voi

nto his favorite seat in the middle of the room. My heart pounded as I tu

even know

encil? My thoughts spun faster than I could control. It was ridiculous, really. Someon

r's voice cut through m

n slipping from my hand an

ention?" she asked,

ammered, quickly str

muffled laughter, and I

escape, but as I stepped into the hallwa

beth,

e. Was

s to ease my racing heart, and there he was-Dan

e said, his easy smil

I took the pen. The touch sent a jolt through me, my ch

ore walking off, disappearing into t

It was such a small moment, a simple exchange, but to me, it felt

ow didn't

you!" a girl's voice jeered as she walked

he day. I replayed the moment over and over, wondering if I could have said something dif

•

cheese. My father's voice boomed from the living ro

ng, his voice as sharp as the creak of our old wooden floors. "That's why the Bible says,

ot on the couch. "Yes, Father," I

"Remember, Elizabeth, the world is full of traps. You must guard your heart. S

talk. At this point, I could recite it in my sleep. Still, I

nd don't forget to continue meditating on Psa

ew I wouldn't have time. Between school and chore

and a window that overlooked the quiet suburban street outside. Posters of my favorite gospel bands covered the walls, and a worn-out rug

doodles. Places I wanted to visit: Paris, New York City, Tokyo. Things I wanted

d, block letters, I'd wr

imagine what it would feel like to escape this life,

zabe

aydream. I shoved the notebook under

dishes?" she asked,

Mother," I

you just sta

crubbed the plates, I thought about Daniel's smile, about

se dreams like that. Maybe one da

a word I wrote in secret, hidd