Harmony: The Destiny Trilogy, #3

1

Ice Skating

Destiny

As we followed our families into the building that housed the skating rink, I glanced at the slight frown marring Preston’s forehead. Was he okay with me, or did he hate me?

Ever been skating before? Preston asked, rescuing me from sliding into self-torture. He and his siblings had been so depressed as they watched their mom suffer through cancer that his dad had decided to take us all out to help cheer them up.

Ice skating? No. I’ve been to the roller-skating rink a few times. It’s pretty fun. Have you been before?

We used to go in Utah when I was a kid, and a few of the times I visited family for Christmas, we all went.

At least you’ll know what you’re doing, I said.

It’s easier than you think. And I’m pretty sure they have this walker thing you can use like the little kids who start out.

Oh, gee thanks, I said.

Anytime. He grinned, and it felt like old times again.

He opened the door, and we followed the crowd inside the building. Preston’s dad paid for all of us and then pointed us in the direction of the skate-rental counter. We grabbed our skates and headed over to a set of long benches. Preston sat next to me, and we bent over to lace up our skates.

I’m a lot more nervous about this than I thought I would be, I admitted.

Don’t worry, the worst that could happen is that you’ll break a bone or two, maybe get a concussion. The chance of death is actually pretty slim, so you’re good.

I rolled my eyes. Thanks. You’re so comforting.

Hey, that’s what I’m here for, right?

He caught the double meaning behind his words and looked away. I bit my lip again.

I finished lacing up my skates and waited until Preston stood.

Come on, he said.

I just walk in these things on the ground, and I won’t fall over?

He laughed and took a stroll across the room.

Oh, I said lamely.

I got up and took a few shaky steps. It was strange that I was keeping my balance. I had fully expected to fall over. I’m not good at this.

You gotta start somewhere, right? Just don’t crack your head open. You might get blood on the ice.

I’ll be careful about that. Just for you.

We stepped out onto the ice, and I grabbed for the railing, gripping it like it was my lifeline.

You sure you don’t want that walker thingy? he teased.

I’m fine, I said through gritted teeth.

He glided by me with his hands behind his back like it was no big deal. You gonna try to let go at some point?

I made a face at him but took my grip off the railing and skated out into the rink. The blades rumbled over some ruts created in the ice by other skaters, and I threw my hands out to keep my balance.

You’re steadier than you realize. You need to relax.

So says the guy who’s been talking about my head bleeding on the ice.

Hey, do you see any blood anywhere?

Brinlee skated up to us. Why are you guys talking about blood on the ice? Isn’t that kind of morbid?

He’s the one who brought it up, I said, jerking my thumb toward Preston. Blame him.

I’m just trying to get her to take a risk.

By talking about her skull getting crushed on the ice? Brinlee raised an eyebrow.

He put his hands up defensively. Hey, no one said anything about skulls getting crushed.

It felt good to joke with him like this. I hadn’t realized how much I’d missed it. With his mom’s illness, I hadn’t really seen this side of Preston in a while. I couldn’t help but wonder what had changed tonight to put him in a better mood.

Over the next half hour, I circled the rink several times and built up the courage to gain speed. I whizzed by Michael and Megan, who were holding hands and laughing as they skated together like a couple on a Christmas card. Since they’d gone to the Valentine’s banquet together, they’d been inseparable. It was weird and cute at the same time.

Preston skated up to me. You got the hang of this pretty well now, huh?

Seems that way.

He followed my gaze to where Megan and Michael spun in a circle, holding onto each other and smiling. He had a pensive expression on his face.

How do you feel about Megan and Michael? I asked.

His jaw worked thoughtfully. It’s weird to see my sister dating. I feel like I shouldn’t mind it, but it leaves me unsettled.

It’s weird for me, too. I’ve never seen my brother date anyone before.

It’s not like it will be some uber-serious relationship or anything. I mean, he’s putting in his mission papers soon. He’ll probably be leaving this summer, Preston said.

Yeah, who knows. She may go off to BYU and be married by the time he gets back.

That’s a stretch, he said. She’ll only be barely graduated by then.

Hey, you never know, I said, shrugging. It’s happened before.

Maybe if she had been dating some guy throughout high school.

Yeah. Some guy like Michael, I said.

Seriously? This is so weird for me. At least he’s a good guy.

Michael’s one of the best. Any girl would be lucky to have him. It was true. Michael was an amazing brother.

Yeah. I should probably cut him some slack.

It’s the least you could do. He certainly did it for you. I regretted the words the moment they fell from my mouth and stared down, hoping my hair would hide the blush I was sure was spreading across my cheeks.

Preston skated ahead, and I worried that my words had bothered him. I blew out a breath and lagged, allowing him to gain some distance from me. I circled the rink a few more times on my own, lost in thought.

Had I messed up something just now? I’d just gotten Preston’s friendship back, and now I might have ruined it by bringing up our past relationship. My heart ached, and I realized how much I still cared about him. He was there for me during my darkest hours. Preston was the kind of guy my brother sent after me when I was sad and alone. If given the chance, my parents would probably hand-pick him as my future husband.

But Isaac? Not so much. They barely tolerated having him around, even with him being completely interested in learning more about becoming a Mormon. Isaac showed up at my church on Sunday, he read the Book of Mormon, and he was meeting with the missionaries. He even got up early to go to Seminary with me.

I looked up and realized I was skating straight toward Preston and wouldn’t have enough time to stop or swerve to keep from hitting him. The next few seconds seemed to slow, and then I slammed into his broad chest. Ow. The guy was like a wall, muscled from hours of working outside with a chainsaw all winter, helping customers with their trees.

He reached out and steadied me, his hands warm around my waist. My breath caught, and time slowed as I looked up into his eyes. A current of electricity flowed between us, and his eyes reflected that he noticed it, too.

You okay? he asked, letting go of me and skating to the side.

Yeah, I said breathlessly. I’m fine. Was I? Having Preston’s hands on me like that had shaken me up more than the collision.

Sorry about that.

Which part was he apologizing for exactly? It’s okay. It happens.

A voice called over the loudspeaker, paging all the youth from our group to head off the rink.

Preston and I skated toward the exit with the rest of our friends and waited as they funneled off the ice. I heard about the Doctrinal Statement. Megan told me when she got home from the banquet.

I bit my lip. What else had Megan told him about the banquet? I was supposed to take him. I never got the chance to ask him, but I was sure Michael had told him I was planning to ask. Instead, he stayed home with his sick mom and watched Megan come into the house with her cheeks all aglow from her magical night with Michael. The same kind of night he was supposed to have had with me. How could he ever forgive me for what I’d done to him?

We stepped off the ice and clomped to the nearest bench. He must have sensed my change in mood or lack of response to his comment because as he sat on the bench, he said, Destiny, I need to tell you something.

I sat next to him, heart pounding. Yes?

I accept your apology.

My apology?

When you came to me with the banana bread to apologize for what happened with Isaac.

Oh. I couldn’t think of anything else to say.

I forgive you.

I lifted my eyes to his, my lower lip trembling. He forgave me? For everything I’d done to him? You do?

I do.

How? I honestly don't understand how you’ve been so nice tonight after what I did to you. I don’t deserve it.

You made a mistake, Destiny. It hurt like heck, but I know you weren’t trying to inflict pain on me.

I’m so sorry I hurt you, I whispered.

I know you are, Preston said.

I needed to figure out what my heart needed. You deserved better than I could give you. I should have just told you that. I really messed everything up.

I wouldn’t have listened. I would have fought for you.

I’m sorry it had to be like this, I said. And I’m sorry about your mom. I feel horrible about everything that happened and the timing. Gosh. It was so awful. A burden lifted as I spoke, and my heart began to heal.

Thank you. That means a lot, he said.

So, does this mean we’re friends now? I asked.

Of course, it does, he said.

Good, I said, bending down to untie my laces.

So about the Doctrinal Statement, he said.

Yeah?

What are you guys going to do?

We’re fighting against it.

He blinked. You are? Why?

Because Bethel is like home for us.

But doesn’t it bother you to go to a school where you aren’t wanted? If it were me, I’d leave and never look back.

I can see how a year ago I wasn’t wanted. But now I’m in Primus, and I have people who care about me at Bethel. People who will fight for me. Anyone at my lunch table would fight for me. Because what Dr. Robinson was trying to do was messed up.

You have many people who would fight for you, Michael said, coming up to us, holding his skates by the laces. Just on principle alone.

You’re probably right, I agreed. But most of those people know nothing about the Doctrinal Statement.

For now, Michael said.

Are you saying we should make a stand publicly?

Why not? People should know.

I doubt that will change the school board’s mind, I said.

If enough people take a stand with us, it will. They’ll have to listen if people leave the school over it.

Not to be a Debbie Downer or anything, but Bethel’s student body isn’t known for being progressive, I pointed out. Preston’s right. They don’t want us there. It was easy for Michael to be so upbeat about Bethel wanting us around. He was well-loved by everyone. He was great at sports and one of the best singers in Primus. He didn’t have a specific group of friends he hung out with. He was friends with the entire school and was welcomed at different lunch tables all the time.

But I’d experienced my fair share of being bullied at Bethel. For the first time, part of me wondered what it would be like to start fresh at a new school where no one remembered when I was awkward and had no idea what to do with my frizzy hair.

2

Scheming Sisters

Preston

When we returned to the church, I sat in the back corner of the minivan and watched the Clarks climb out of the car.

See ya, guys, I called out.

Bye, Preston, Destiny said, pausing at the door to glance over her shoulder at me.

My eyes trailed after her, and the feeling of having my hands on her hips flashed through my mind. I wasn’t sure if the moment would haunt me or become a good memory. But I wanted to hope that it wasn’t over between us. It felt good to talk to her again, to joke around. If Destiny could feel it, too, and I got the impression she did tonight, she might miss the good times we’d had together.

She’s warmed up to you, Megan murmured from the seat next to me.

Only because I’m not giving her death glares anymore.

You were giving her death glares?

Not really. But I wanted to. I didn’t really, but it felt better to think I did. Somehow it eased pain to pretend that I hated her. It would be easier that way. But I could never hate Destiny.

Well, I’m glad you don’t want to give her death glares now.

So what’s the deal with you and Michael? I asked, eager for a subject change. Are you guys dating or something?

We’re figuring things out.

Oh. That was as vague as possible. What do you want figured out?

Her cheeks reddened. I like him, but I don’t think he wants to get too serious before his mission. Two years is a long time to be away from someone.

He’s probably afraid that you’ll move on to someone else before he gets back.

Like who? It’s not like there are tons of choices around here.

You never know who will step in and take your girl away from you, I said in a bitter tone.

I guess Michael watching what you’ve gone through with Destiny would make him a little more cautious.

What I went through with Destiny doesn’t have to be a permanent thing, I said.

So you’re serious about fighting to get her back? Megan asked. I was wondering if that was what was going on tonight.

I’m not sure it will work, I said. She’s pretty blinded by him.

It’s easy when he’s acting so interested in the church.

Do you think he’s just putting on an act?

You mean how he’s so interested in talking to the missionaries and showing up to church meetings?

Yeah. Do you think he’s just doing it to get her to stay with him?

Possibly.

I don’t trust him, I said.

I don’t blame you, she said.

Dad pulled into our garage, and we climbed out of the back seat.

Preston, what happened with you and Destiny? Brinlee asked, as if she’d been holding the question in for way too long and was about to explode with it.

Nothing, I said, glancing toward Dad in a meaningful way.

She clamped her lips shut until we were in the basement family room and Dad had disappeared up the stairs.

Brinlee pounced onto the couch next to me. Tell me what happened, she said, her eyes huge with anticipation.

Nothing really, I said.

Whatever. I saw you guys on the ice. You had your hands on her hips.

I rolled my eyes. And that means that we’re going to get back together now?

I saw you two. You were definitely having a moment, Brinlee insisted.

She was a lot more perceptive sometimes than I gave her credit for.

She knocked into me. I was helping her keep her balance. It’s nothing more than anyone else would do.

But you’re not just anyone else, she said, stabbing a finger at me. It was all over her face. Admit it, Preston. She still wants you, and you saw it, too.

What does it matter? She’s with him! The words came out with more force than I meant.

Brinlee sat back, her eyes wide.

You said yourself that you don’t know if she’ll be with him forever, Megan said.

She’s right, Brinlee jumped in. He could smash her heart again, and you need to be ready for when that happens.

Plus, this is high school. Everyone jumps in and out of relationships like they’re trying on shoes at the mall, Megan added.

Well, I’m not the kind of guy to try on lots of shoes. I see the ones I like on the shelf, and I don’t bother trying them on until I’m sure they look like something I’d want to buy.

I can respect that, Megan commented.

It’s too bad Destiny doesn’t, Brinlee said.

Destiny’s trying to figure things out, I said. And that’s okay.

You sound like you’re trying to convince yourself, Brinlee said.

Maybe I am.

Brinlee squealed and clapped her hands.

What? Megan asked.

I just had the best idea. Preston needs a makeover!

Yes! Megan agreed. We can take him to the mall and fix him up.

Why do I have a bad feeling about this?

No. Listen to me, Brinlee insisted. If you want to get Destiny to pick you over Isaac, you need to step up your game. Destiny’s always talking about how she loves the way Isaac dresses and wears nice cologne.

Megan tugged on my T-shirt. This has to go.

What? I scoffed. This is my favorite shirt.

Your shirt is swallowing you up, and it has three stains and two holes in it. And your jeans are covered in grass stains and have holes in the knees. And not in a stylish way. Girls don’t like that. This should be what you wear to mow lawns and only then.

I rubbed my jaw thoughtfully. She had a point. I had done little to make sure I dressed well, and I never wore cologne.

And you need to buy her something special. Brinlee’s eyes lit up. Megan, remember that pretty snowflake necklace I almost bought at the mall last week?

Yes. That would be perfect. Their first kiss was in the snow.

I looked back and forth between my scheming sisters. When do we do this?

3

Protective Cousin

Isaac

For the fourth time that week, I drove Destiny from Seminary to Bethel. We had time before classes started, so we stopped by the gas station across from school and grabbed hot chocolates. I craved coffee but was trying to give it up for her sake, to show I was serious about becoming a Mormon.

How’s your family dealing with the Doctrinal Statement? I asked, stepping out of the convenience store.

The younger kids are taking it hard. They don’t want to switch schools. They’re scared about making new friends. She kept her eyes trained on the cracked cement of the parking lot as we walked toward my truck.

Are you okay talking about this?

It’s fine.

What are you feeling?

She bit her lip and clutched her hot chocolate as I opened her door for her. She climbed into the truck and waited until I was sitting behind the wheel to answer.

I feel responsible. I know your dad and the school board made their own choices, but I can’t shake the feeling I had something to do with their decision.

I know what you mean. I feel responsible, too.

She looked up at me, her crystal-blue eyes filling with tears. What should we do?

We fight against them.

How?

I don’t have it all figured out, yet, but I worked on my dad last night. If he gets to know you, he’ll back off.

I studied Destiny’s face, but she kept her expression blank.

Is that something you’re okay with? I didn’t want to push her.

I’m not sure it’s a good idea. What if it backfires, and we both end up getting hurt worse?

Are you scared of my dad?

She turned and stared out the window.

I’m going to take that as a yes.

She sighed but kept looking out the window.

We drove to the school and walked into the building together. As Destiny spun her locker combination, I noticed Hannah walking toward us. She looked pale, and her hair was a mess.

Hey, Hannah, I said.

Hey, she mumbled.

Rough morning? I asked.

You know? I think I have food poisoning or something. The bitter, sarcastic words didn’t sound like Hannah’s usual bouncy self.

I glanced at the crowd pushing through the hall. Hannah, you’re being too loud. Can you tone it down?

I’m done with being tired all the time, she said, lowering her voice. And puking my guts up every morning.

And Evan can walk away whenever he wants, I muttered. It made me want to beat him into the ground.

It’s not his fault he’s a guy. It’s kind of how it works, Hannah said.

I can’t believe you’re defending him.

He’s my boyfriend, she said.

Why is that still the case? I growled.

It’s none of your business, Isaac. Hannah slammed her locker shut and disappeared into the crowd.

What’s with her? I asked.

Destiny shut her locker and gave me a wry smile. It’s called hormones.

I hate to say this, but I have to get to my locker before I’m late to class, I said, leaning against the row of lockers. I’ll see you at lunch, though.

She stared up, her eyes begging me to kiss her. Fighting the urge was nearly impossible but kissing her openly in the hallway wasn’t the best idea. Instead, I tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, one side of my mouth tugging up in admiration. I backed away reluctantly before turning around and joining the sea of students flowing down the hall.

During lunch, Evan sat at our table with Hannah, but the tension between them hung thickly in the air.

Hudson turned to Destiny. When’s the next time you’re playing paintball?

The first weekend in March.

Hudson looked at me. You in, Isaac?

I shrugged. I have nothing planned.

Sweet, Hudson said.

We’ll have to get more games set up as it gets warmer, Destiny said. We have this small window before the bugs and poison ivy get too bad. Our woods are usually covered with ticks by mid-April.

Ticks? Shanice said. Y’all are crazy, if you ask me. I don’t see why you like running through the woods and getting shot at so much.

"You didn’t seem to mind the woods so much when we were sneaking out to spy on the guys’ cabins at the