Stronger than You Know by Jolene Perry Page B

big. She has a ring. In her lip . I cringe. That had to hurt. We’re about the same height, but that’s where the similarities end. She has gorgeous almond-shaped eyes and darker skin, an odd contrast to her bleached hair. Her body is straight and strong. She stands in a way that puts me in awe of her.
    â€œCome on.” She jerks her head for me to join her.
    I shake my head. Watching is enough for today.
    â€œCome on.” She jerks her head again.
    I fold my arms.
    She walks over. “You can’t let the boys have all the fun. Just try it.” She reaches out a hand, and my hand reaches out to take it. I have no idea how that happened. She lifts me to my feet.
    â€œI’m Daisy.”
    â€œJoy.”
    â€œCool.” She grins. “You can hang with me.”
    We step onto the mat, and no one even glances my way. I’m just one of many.
    â€œHorse!” the instructor yells from the front.
    â€œLike this.” She widens her stance and crouches low.
    I do the same.
    â€œGood. Now hold it for as long as you can. He’s brutal and will make us all sit like this until people start to collapse.”
    She giggles and I feel my mouth pull into a smile.
    My legs start to burn. Like fire. But I can do pain. I’ve certainly felt worse.
    â€œYou can make your body do anything.” The instructor’s voice is so strong, so convincing. “Mind over matter, right?”
    A few people chuckle.
    I can do this. I can make my body do this. My legs burn, but I have control over them. I get to tell them when they can stop burning.
    I focus on being still. My body relaxes into the position and even though I hurt, I feel like I could sit here indefinitely.
    â€œWe have two tough little girls in the back tonight, making you boys look like a big bunch of sissies.” The instructor chuckles.
    My eyes focus, and Daisy’s laughing next to me. “Oh my gosh, I’m done!” She stands and shakes her legs out.
    I follow her lead, but my legs don’t work right anymore, and I laugh. I rub my palms up and down the top of my rubbery thighs. That helps, but my legs still don’t feel like my legs.
    Uncle Rob has shifted closer to me. He gives me a thumbs-up, and a surge of pride rushes though me. Just like that, I’m hooked.
    â€œSo.” Daisy puts her hands on her hips after class. “You’re coming back, right?”
    â€œI’m coming back.” My whole body is loose and shaky, but I feel tough, in control, and that’s something I’ve never felt before. I push the hair off my hot, sweaty face.
    â€œCool. I’m always here. My dad owns this place.”
    â€œOkay.” I cross my arms but more out of habit than for protection.
    â€œI’ll see you around.” She slaps my upper arm before turning toward the office.
    â€œSee you.”
    Uncle Rob gives me a light squeeze before holding open the door. We’ve never even touched before, and I didn’t even flinch. Definite progress.
    â€œYou did good,” he says as we step outside.
    Trent’s laughing with a guy taller than him who follows us out.
    â€œGood one, Mooreson.” The guy’s startling blue eyes catch mine. “Nice job in there,” he says to me.
    I don’t speak. I don’t know him.
    â€œSee you later.” He laughs loudly, slaps Trent on the back, and jogs off to his car.
    Trent laughs. “Well, don’t tell Tara that Brandon spoke to you. She’s had a crush on him since freshman year.” Trent rolls his eyes like he doesn’t think she’s good enough for Brandon, which is ridiculous.
    â€œI didn’t know that,” Uncle Rob says slowly. He turns and frowns as the Brandon kid pulls out of the lot.
    â€œAnd watch out for Daisy,” Trent says to me. “She’s an awesome girl, but she’ll do anything .” Trent chuckles and then adds more quietly, “Daisy parties are legendary. If