(And this is where the good stuff starts;)

Exodus 33:19 "And God said, I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim My name, THE Lord, before you; for I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy and loving-kindness on whom I will show mercy and loving-kindness."

Chapter Two

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I was sitting in last period staring at the clock. Only 5 minutes was left in class and my leg was jumping under the desk of nervousness, as I was biting the corner of my lip to calm me down.

'I can't believe it...' I thought. 'In less than 5 minutes my journey will begin.... A journey to find my real parents!' Which was true.

I've been an orphan since God knows when. I remember having a mom and dad when I was in the first grade but one day that all changed. They dropped me off at what I thought was a daycare but they never came back. I was then transported to different facilities and buildings, when I figured out how to read, it was then in the beginning of third grade, I found out I was in foster care.

It wasn't hard for me to get into people houses when they adopted me when I was younger me but for some reason I always found myself back at square one into a foster home. There was nothing wrong with me....or to me rather. I was quit a quiet child, I was obedient, and was respectful and friendly as much often as I could but I figured out by high school...parents looking for children to adopt didn't like the older kids, and wanted infants and babies or elementary kids so they could grow a 'bond' within each other.

There where only a few foster parents I actually liked and kept me for at least a year. But one parent (mom) I'll never forget is Ms.Smith (Kelly) and she's the one who gave me most of the money I have today. She was a single rich lady who lived in Southern Texas and picked me up all the way in Virginia and she was excited to meet me as she saw me online and she told me I looked so sweet and loving she HAD to get me, because she wanted kids of her own. She gave me most of everything I wanted and by then I already plague I was going to save all the money I ever made to find my real parents one day. Every allowance I got or money she gave me for my birthday or special holidays I kept stored away daring not to spend it.

I stayed with her for 3 years.... The happiest 3 years of my life all through out my middle school years, but I had to go back to the foster care freshmen year when she suddenly got cancer and her sister came down to take care of me but she couldn't manage money well (or even me) and care for all the bills and medical treatments Kelly had to pay for.

So she had to give up everything for the treatments and ended up giving me away too. Kelly told me when she gets better she'd take me back and please don't take it as a personal thing, (which I didn't) and she requested I get put into a Christian foster home until she got better because she was born believer and she'll get me again....

But she never did.

It was then I figured out she passed away and from that moment on, every other home I went to ended up going down hill. They either changed their mind and didn't like me, couldn't afford me, or made a mistake. So I always saw myself....as mistake...even with my real parents! So I set a date, today (the last day of junior year when I was 17) to find my real parents back in Virginia. Didn't seem too bad at the time...but I didn't know I'd end up in Texas.... I'd have to cross seven U.S. borders to get where I'm going, but I'll cover six because of my flight.

If I miss that....everything's screwed.

So I was sitting in class...unwilling to stay still like my other classmates as they were ready for summer break as I was, but none of them I know was going to have a journey I was about to experience the moment I step off campus grounds.

I saw the clock ticking as if I heard its clicking of the hand as we had less than a minute and everyone was staring at their watches and smartphones waiting for the exact moment that bell of freedom would ring.

What seemed like a decade later, the bell finally rang and everyone laughed and cheered running out the door. I was behind them. My backpack behind me and my cross-body at my side and I had to go to my locker to get my American flag inspired penny board a secret Santa gave me last Christmas I asked for through the foster care and I got it from someone with initials A.B.... (Never knew what that meant) and Vanessa told me she'd meet me there too for a gift. I didn't know what it was going to be, but she said it was a few things.

When I made it already more than half the kids was gone, but Vanessa met me with a shoebox in her hand and a huge smile on her face. "Amanda!" She called to me. I smiled back.

"Vanessa! What's up? What did you have to give me?" As I unlocked my locker and took my penny board out. She showed me the shoebox and smiled,

"Open it." I smiled wondering what was in the box and I totally freaked when I opened it. Inside the box was all kind of things, but the one that REALLY caught my eye was a Canon camera.

"Omg, Van!" I squealed. "How did you get this??" She chuckled.

"Since I was in the year book club, I was voted best photographer and I got to kept the schools camera I used all year long and I figured you should keep it instead because you're going to be traveling and seeing a lot of new stuff," she told me. "The straps are already on it so you can wear it around your neck." I pick it up and placed it around my neck and I just kept admiring it.

"Omg thank you Van, you're the best! I know you like taking pictures but you're really giving this to me??" I asked her. She shrugged.

"You're my best friend," she smiled. I shook my head overwhelmed with joy.

"You're so sweet!" I looked in the box and took out the other little things surrounding it saying, "Oh, a watch! I never seen you with this....or ANY of this... Where did you get it?" I asked her.

"My friends. I told them a friend of mine was traveling alone this summer and I needed to give her a few essentials because she might not be coming back. I've been working on this for two weeks and I kept it a secret until now," she nodded with puffy cheeks. I smiled sadly.

"Ugh, Van. You make me want to stay now!" I said stomping my feet. She laughed.

"I wish! Keep looking!" she insisted. By the time I was finish looking in the box I received a Canon camera, a used baby blue watch, pepper spray, a new portable charger for my iPhone (my last foster parents bought me) a used book that actually looked interesting, and a bag of chips with a $10 bill stabled to it and a bottle of water. I chuckled at that one but also because I was so happy to receive all those things and I said to Vanessa,

"Thanks Van. I don't know what I'd do without you. Pepper spray is a must have and I can totally charge my phone if I need to anywhere. Thanks for thinking about me but also keeping my name a secret," I hugged her.

"No problem. I hope you find your parents and when you do, text me! I'll know my prayers have been answered!" I looked at her puzzled.

"What was that?" I asked her.

"You found your home..." She whispered. We both smiled about to cry and I hugged her again and I sighed,

"Bye Van. I hope I see you again," I told her.

"Bye Amanda. Good luck." When we left out the building, some kids were hanging back with there friends outside taking selfies and hugging each other and that gave me an idea.

"Wait. To remember this moment, let's take a selfie together. So I can remember the girl who helped me on my journey," I told her. She smiled.

"Alright!" We stood side by side, cheek to cheek with smiles on our faces our hands around each others backs the flash literally blinding us, and after that photo we got carried away and started making silly faces and laughing on camera. After 5 minutes of laughter I said,

"Hahaha! I better go Vanessa," I told her looking at my new watch. "Don't want to miss my flight."

"Oh yeah right, when does it take off?"

"Five. It's 3:34pm now, but I don't want to get stuck in traffic," I told her.

"Right. You should go. Bye girl, I'll miss you."

"Miss you too!" I waved. I took out my penny board and started off the schools campus, as she waited for the Foster bus to get her at .45, and I turned to wave at her and she did too....as I couldn't believe this is was actually happening.

***

I've been walking and skating down the biking lanes in Dallas (that were above the highways) to the airport and I made it in one pieces, as everything went pretty smooth. I walked in the airport, checked myself in and by the time I made it from the schoolyard, it was 4:23pm. I'd have to wait 37 minutes for my flight.

I went to the foodcourt and ordered subway, with a bottle of water, and sat down and ate my early dinner observing everybody. As I was sitting there, there was many people in the airport as if it was crowded, but it was better than it being vacant and I was alone with the crazy people who come out at night. After I finished eating I checked the time as it was 4:35pm and I assumed I'd go to the bathroom before I boarded.

I went, and it was pretty clean in the stalls and I came back out as I washed my hands and looked at myself in the mirror. Since I was going on a plane and I was going to be sitting there for at least 3 hours, I decided to put my beach blonde hair in a giant bun on the top of my head as my hair was down a little past my chest, and it was naturally thick and wavy as well. I left a few pieces down by my face and some of the baby hairs from my messy bun was loose, but it didn't matter. I looked at my reflection in the mirror and I studied my appearance since I never had time at the Foster home with all the other girls.

I had big dark brown eyes that resembled a few mouth old baby waking up to strangers and a fair skin tone that looked a bit pale. I had silver braces and black frame hipster glasses that we're real as I was half blind without them, and I had natural light pink lips. I had three tiny light brown miles on my face, one on my left check, another above my right eyebrow, and another on my chin, and if you connect them with a marker, it'll make an awkward triangle. I didn't wear make up, but I did adore lip balm and black mascara but that was it.

Because that's all I could afford.

I was wearing an oversized red button down blazer with black leggings and my white converse feeling quit comfortable. I sighed as I finally stepped out the bathroom and found an empty lounge area and I decided to wait there. There were some families there, and random people and I figured if I sit by them, if anyone tries to hurt me there'll be witnesses around. I checked the time on my watch to see 4:46pm and I leaned my head back closing my eyes as I said to myself,

"14 more minutes."

I opened my eyes and got on my phone making a playlist to listen to on the flight but I felt as if I was being watched. I slowly looked around not making it obvious glancing back at my phone here and there and finally, I saw a boy...a guy staring at me. He looked my age...or maybe a year or two older but it was okay and it's not like he was a weird old man or something.

He gave me a smile and I smiled back as a friendly response and I looked back down at my phone as from the corner of my eye I noticed he was on his phone too.

'That's good,' I thought.

Time passed by and over the intercom I finally heard, "Passengers departing from Dallas Texas to Philadelphia at 5:00pm your flight is ready to be accompany." I quickly got up gathering all my stuff and headed to the assistant and she smiled at me.

"Philadelphia?" She asked me. I nodded.

"Yes 'mam," I replied.

"Alright," she took my ticket. She scanned it and handed it back and she asked me to place my backpack on the convertor belt and I could take my penny board and purse with me so it wouldn't get stolen. I nodded as I headed onto the plane and it wasn't that crowded as I was one of the first to board.

I found my seat and I was happy to be placed by a window and I placed my penny board in the storage above me and my purse with me. I sat down as I looked out the window and saw other planes parked like a ray of giant white cars. As people was boarding I decided to take a picture of my ticket and a picture out the window to show I got a window seat to show my real parents when I found them.

As more and more people were boarding I was kind of wondering who'd sit beside me and right when I thought that, the boy who smiled at me in the lounge placed his stuff where I put my penny board and he said with a smile, "Hey." I brighten quickly.

"Hi," I said back. As the guy was adjusting getting things organized in his seat, I honestly couldn't stop looking at HIM this time. He had black hair that was nicely cut, and a natural tan skin tone, that also looked pure and warm like rich vanilla. He's body was nice and fit like he played sports or worked out or something and he had on jeans with nice dark brown shoes and a dark blue t-shirt with a black pocket on the chest.

He glanced at me from the corner of his eyes with a smile and I quickly looked away out the window trying NOT to turn pink. He had the outside seat and I felt him still looking at me and he sighed looking ahead of him,

"Lucky..." I turned to him.

"Hmmph?" I asked him through my lips. He looked at me.

"You have the window seat....you get to see what goes on," he kept smiling coolly. He's teeth were so white and perfect I honestly don't think he's ever head of sugar or caffeine and his ocean blue eyes went perfect with his completion and I didn't see how guys like him even existed....AND I WAS TALKING TO ONE! But I shrugged not showing my weakness,

"Well... we're just on a plane....but I'll let you know when something happens," I nodded. He chuckled.

"Haha, thanks."

"No prob," I said back. I looked back out the window and I was happy I got a friendly person to sit in my same section, but what I was REALLY worried about was who was going to sit in between us. 'I mean, what if he's a talkative person?' I thought looking out the window. 'What if they smells or if their too big for the seat? Or they fall asleep and fall on my shoulder? Do I push them away or let them? Are they going to be weird and ask me tons of questions? Maybe if I just put my headphones in they'll see I don't want to be bothered,' I thought already plugging my headphones into my phone trying to come up with a plan. 'But what if they don't get the idea and I have to deal with it for the rest of the flight?' I paused. 'Can I just hide out in the bathroom the whole time? No...that's too much,' I shook my head.

Suddenly the announcer came on a few minutes after my over-thinking suggestions and she said, "Hello passengers. You're on the flight to Philadelphia that is currently one hour ahead and 88 degrees Fahrenheit. The time until arrival is 8:17pm and we thank you for choosing American Airlines." After that someone said the same thing in Spanish and they went over the emergency rules and regulations and the boy beside me whispered,

"Hey...?" I turned to him. "I don't think anyone is going to sit in between us." I chuckled by the way he said it.

"I think so too," I whispered back with an over-exaggerating nod. He smiled at me and leaned his head back as I heard the plan starting up and I took a deep breath whispering to myself,

"Well Amanda...there's no turning back now..." As the plane took off into the sky and I laid there with my eyes closed thinking about what I was doing the boy besides me asked,

"First time flying?" I opened my eyes and turned to him as I must've looked nervous and I replied,

"Well...It's been awhile." He nodded looking ahead of him.

"Yeah...it's not scary. We'll be fine." I sighed looking down at my lap thinking of all the possible scenarios that could happen. 'Well, what if the plane crashes?' I wanted to ask. 'What if we have a crash landing, or there's secret terrorist on the plane? What if-' but before I could finish another thought, the boy tapped on my shoulder and said reassuringly as if he read my mind, "Promise." He looked into my eyes and I looked back at him and like it was contagious I smiled to the side and nodded,

"Yeah...you're right." He went back in his chair smiling.

"Yeah.... So is you're family scattered about the plane?" He asked me. I quickly froze with wide eyes thinking fast. 'I can't tell him I'm an orphan looking for my parents!?' I thought. 'No matter how cute or sweet he is, TRUST NOBODY,' I told myself. I looked at him.

"I'm meeting my grandparents. I visit them every summer," I had to lie. "I help them get around." He nodded understanding.

"That's pretty cool," he nodded. I did too.

"Yeah....um....what about you?" I asked. He shrugged.

"Heading back home. I was checking out a college in Texas," he explained. I perked up.

"Oh that seems fun," I said seriously.

"Yeah it was," he looked at me. I honestly couldn't take his perfect face, so I looked down at my phone and out the window but the boy asked me, "May I know your name?" I turned back to him.

"Amanda. What about you?" He smiled at me.

"Pretty name. I feel it fits you. My name is Aspen." I smiled turning to him fully.

"That's a cool name. I never heard of it," I told him truthfully. He chuckled.

"Thanks, mines is not that popular," he joked about mine. I snickered too.

"Haha, yeah. I can't even count on my fingers how many people I met with the same name Amanda," I agreed. He laughed now.

"Hahaa! I bet." I wasn't trying to ignore him as I did kind of like talking to him, but I put in one earphone going down my playlist and he asked me,

"You in school?" I nodded.

"I just graduated from junior year," I told him. "I'm going to be a senior this up coming year." He smiled.

"Whoa, that's a big step. I graduated school a few weeks ago already and I can honestly tell you, senior year's the best," he explained. I smiled chuckling.

"Hehe, really, how so?" He shrugged.

"More freedom. Most people start driving. You're just trying to make it your last year in grade school. Make it count and you'll finish strong," he told me. I nodded.

"I bet."

"Yup. So you're 17?" He asked. I nodded.

"Yup and yooour..." I let him finish,

"18. My birthday was a few months ago," he told me. I nodded.

"Cool." He did too.

"Yup..." After that we didn't talk much, although I didn't mind. He placed his headphones in that was connected to his phone and as I was looking for a song to listen to, he was mouthing the words to the song he was listening to with his eyes closed and he looked so cute.... But I forced myself to look at my phone.

I was listening to some chill-step, a type of dubstep, and I closed my eyes sinking into the music. After a few songs I opened my eyes facing Aspen....as he was just laying there now...and I glanced at my Canon camera and him and the Canon again, and I slowly picked it up glancing at him, turning the flash OFF, and I snapped a quick pic of him and right before he opened his eyes, I pretended to be sleep my camera on in my lap.

He chuckled as I opened my eyes and I asked him, "What's so funny?" He shrugged smiling.

"I don't know...." He replied. I chuckled as I actually got away with it.

"Okay..." I said smiling back.

We got comfortable again, his athletic backpack in the seat in between us and my purse leaning on it, and after 10 minutes of relaxing I couldn't fall asleep, and something was telling me to look out the window for awhile. While I did, it was quit pretty. The sky was getting low, but it was still daylight. There were many white clouds that looked so pure, and I was amazed by the beauty. It looked at if we were above the world and the blanket of clouds were underneath us, and it amazed me.

I took a picture of it and I looked down at the photo admiring it and I laid back in the seat sighing. I looked out the window again, and my eyes widen as I saw a giant cloud in the shape of a hand passing by. It was going slowly, and I looked forward and back at the other passengers who had window seats, but they were either sleep or not paying attention. I quickly went over to Aspen and shook his shoulder gently as I HAD to share this moment with someone.

"Aspen..." I whispered to him. He blinked his eyes open as he dozed off. "Aspen!" I said again.

"Yeah, yeah. Are you okay?" He asked taking his headphones out almost getting out his seat.

"Yeah, but look at the this cloud!" I told him. He moved our stuff out the way and sat beside me now and he put his face beside mine looking out the window as it was still there.

"Whoa....that's amazing," he said with huge eyes.

"I know....I didn't even see it form.... It was just there. It went from this photo..." I should him the pic I just took. "To that... I should take a picture of it." I did, but for some reason all the photos I took of it was blurry compared to the rest of the photos and I looked confused. "It won't come out clear... That's odd." Aspen shrugged.

"Well just enjoy the moment....you may not get another chance like this to see it again," he told me. I nodded.

"You're right..." We saw the giant cloud hand move swiftly passed our window and Aspen sighed laying back in the seat beside me.

"That was pretty cool..." He shook his head with closed eyes.

"I know," I looked at him. I tried to look back at it one more time but it totally disappeared not even in the person behind me's window, but I shrugged it off. "I never seen that before," I commented.

"Me either," Aspen said with eyes closed. "But I bet it was God's." I looked at him.

"God? You mean His hand? He can do that?" I asked. Aspen nodded.

"Of course. He can do anything. Maybe he was just saying hello," Aspen smiled. I looked at the photo I took and smiled a little to the right as it kind of did look as so.

"Hmmph, maybe. I never thought of it that way. I didn't think God would want to do that," I told him. He looked at me with an easy smile.

"Well sure. I mean, God likes to have fun too," he told me. I nodded.

"Yeah..." I agreed. As Aspen was close to me he smelt of fresh cotton and I noticed he had on a cross necklace and a black cross tattoo underneath his right arm that was facing up. By that I knew he was a Christian and it got me thinking of MY faith.

'I know I came from a Christian foster home,' I told myself. 'But we were forced to pray and read the Bible and I didn't think God would want to show me, OF ALL PEOPLE, His hand... If that WAS His hand...' I questioned. 'Maybe it's a sign of hope I'd find my parents.....' I then turned my camera off and laid back in the seat and I suddenly felt sleepy getting comfortable.

'Or maybe He was saying hello..... Cause that'd be cool too,' I thought drifting off.

****

(OMG guys! Please, please, please tell me what YOU think of the book and if you like it:) I feel this book is just going to be amazing and a blessing to y'all, and you're just gonna love it like.... Omg I can't wait 'till finish it:} Bye guys, thanks for the support<3

xoxo Kyndra<3