Just Kylie
Genre: YA
Release Date: March 2015
Summary from Goodreads:
Kylie Bransford was all girl. She loved her long black hair that touched her lower back, and refused to cut it no matter how much her mother pleaded. She wore pink sneakers on the field when she cheered, her room was surrounded by mermaids, and her walls were decorated in pink and purple shades. She was “all” girl. Kylie loved to be on the go and in the know. The only thing that made not only her world, but her heart stop was Myles Russin. Myles was one of the cutest boys in the 8th grade. The night she invited him over to watch television was the night she knew for sure she’d receive her first kiss. Her tongue trailed the braces that shielded her teeth as Myles leaned forward with his eyes closed. With much disdain she pushed him away. Kylie had to come clean and reveal her secret. Kylie Bransford was biological born a boy, but lived as a girl. She just hoped Myles could see past her situation and like her for who she was and not what was in between her legs.
know, your friends are watching us,” Myles said with a meek smile, nodding
toward the gaggle of girls behind her. Kylie glanced over her
shoulder at her friends who were giggling. Kylie sank her teeth into
her bottom lip, but closed her mouth quickly, embarrassed by her pink and
silver braces. She couldn’t wait to get those things off, but that would be
another two years. Kylie raked manicured shaky fingers through her
thick raven locks that hung down her back.
it. Myles was actually talking to her. Myles Russin, the cutest boy in the 8th grade. Was
this what flirting felt like? Her palms began to sweat.
practically melting into her locker. “No, they’re just being…goofy.
They uh…they think you’re like, really hot.”
shades of red and smiled a face-splitting grin. She grinned to herself. He
couldn’t hide his excitement if he wanted to. “Th-they do?” He glanced at her
friends again. They continued to snicker. “Wh-what do you think?”
think you’re…” Play it cool girl, play it cool. “Okay.”
Myles chortled.
her laugh and glanced down at her pink high top Sketchers. She stole a quick
peek at him, and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, revealing her
mermaid stud earrings. Myles was one of the tallest boys in the 8th grade, much
taller than she was. His voice was starting to deepen, just like Mrs.
Vance taught them in sex-ed class last quarter. Kylie thought he
looked like a model or better yet, a movie star. The bell rang snatching her
from her trance. She realized she’d been gazing into his hazel eyes. Awkward.
out one day.” He cleared his throat as his voice squeaked slightly.
quickened. “Really?”
playfully nudged her shoulder. “I think you’re cool. We should hang out.”
could always come to my house to watch TV or something. My mom won’t mind.”
looking down at his feet. The blush in his cheeks gave him away. “Wh-what about
this afternoon?”
out her smartphone. The second bell rang, indicating they had two minutes to be
in their seats. “Er—let me text my mom.” She began typing furiously.
me know.” As he began his journey to class, her phone buzzed. The returning
text from her mother said, Absolutely not! I will not be home
until 6 o’clock. No boys unless I’m there.
phone and stopped him, “Myles.”
sneakers squeaked against the tile floor.
back.” Kylie stuttered.
looked hopeful and clutched his backpack tighter.
her phone again. The words on the screen stared back at her, “Absolutely! It’s
totally cool.” She fired off her address and time to meet at her house.
Raven C. Eckman 