*Prequel to Silence the Birchwoods: The Northwoods Trilogy

Luke

Anyone that meets me, thinks I've got it all. My best friend left for college, handing me the reigns to Rochester Hills High's popularity. I'm the King. I've got the student body groveling at my feet. With a possible shot at the National Swimming Team--and the Olympics--I broke the state record in breaststroke. The most gorgeous girl in the school--the head cheerleader and Queen--is my girlfriend. And my perfect GPA is setting me up to get scholarships at some of the biggest universities in Michigan.

Then why do I feel like the biggest loser?

Yeah, I've got it all. But my father's constant pressure to be the best doesn't help. My girlfriend's jealousy is out of control. Worse, Colton Ramsay's little sister has me tied up in knots. I'm supposed to be Penny's hero. I swore to her brother I'll forever slay her dragons. I've championed her since she was a child... since I gave her the knickname Sunshine. I consider her one of my best friends.

But something is very wrong with her. The school bullies won't leave her alone. She's withdrawn. Despondent. Broken. And she refuses to let me help. But I don't have it in me to quit. Some call me obsessed. I call it dedication. But I swear if it takes a lifetime, I'll save my Sunshine whether or not she wants to be saved.

Penny

Why won't Luke Donovan leave me alone? Doesn't he understand that his girlfriend and her minions are targeting me because of him? Unfortunately, the more I push him away, the more he stalks me. He sits with me at lunch. He walks me to classes. He stops by my house every night. His constant attention is annoying. And Christy Mefford doesn't like it one bit. With the help of her minions, she'll stop at nothing to make sure I leave Rochester Hills High for good.

And school isn't the only problem. Since Colt left, my mother's abuse has gotten worse. Lose weight, Penelope... do the chores, Penelope... I'm babysitting, doing the housework, holding down a part-time job, and trying to maintain a 4.0 GPA so I can get the heck out of this horrible town. I'm almost at my breaking point. What's the point of living? It can't get any worse, can it?

Never say never.

Because no matter how hard he tries, Luke Donovan will never be my hero.

*This is a coming-of-age Young Adult novel set in the early 2000's. There is some language and content that isn't suitable for readers under the age of 14.