Kara's Cross

If you had the ability to persuade anyone to do what you wanted, would you? This is the story of Kara Eldridge, a powerful fourteen year old girl struggling to find her place in this world. Kara Eldridge is fourteen years old and with her words, she can manipulate people around her, but at a physical cost to herself: severe headaches, nausea, blackouts, or a combination of all three, being the end result. She has decided to keep her ability a secret, since over the last nine years, using it has been more of a curse than a blessing, only managing to accomplish getting her home-schooled and being labeled as a ‘sickly freak.’ Now, ready to change her current state of existence, she embarks upon a plan. Convince her father she is well enough to go back to school. Fit in and make friends. Avoid Arabella, the class bully. Avoid the new school counselor’s uncomfortable questions. Do it all without using her power. Her ideas seem simple enough, especially with the help of her new friend, Maddie. Together they sketch out ways to show their worthiness to their classmates, but Arabella always seems to be a step ahead. Then Logan appears, a dark-haired boy with a strong interest in Kara. After gaining her trust, he reveals how useful her persuasive power can be, creating a rift between the two girls’ friendship, reminding Kara the cost of using her power is never just physical.