Read Without You: Book 1 of the Changing Hearts Series for Free Online Page A

away. Her parents seemed to get the message and smiled.  
    “So what are your plans for college, Mayra?” her mom asked. She was using a spoon to pour salsa on her taco.
    “I’m applying to the college here in town. I don’t know what I’m going to study yet, though.”
    “Isn’t that the one you want to go to, Ariana?” Her mom looked at her, putting her food down.
    “No. I’m applying there too, but I want to go to the University of Georgia. It’s about two hours away, but it has the best program in the state for business, which is probably what I’m going to study.”
    “What are you going to do two hours away by yourself?” her dad asked while he made his own taco.
    “I’ll figure it out. I’ll get a dorm and some scholarships, graduate, then I’ll be back in four years to look for a job. And I’ll visit a lot.”  
    She tried her best to sound optimistic, but her parents didn’t look very happy.
    “Why can’t you go here, mija?” Her mom wasn’t eating anymore.
    “Because. I like that school. The counselor says it’s a really good school. I want to go visit it in the spring. Maybe you can come with me so you can see what I’m talking about.”
    Her parents didn’t say much after that.
    ###
    After lunch, Ariana’s parents stayed outside talking and resting while Mayra and Ariana got up to go inside. Jimmy and Ryan left to grab a bag to put all of their trash in.
    “Where are you going?” her mom asked.
    “We’re going to go work on our college applications. They’re due next week. And I’m looking for scholarships.”
    “Oh okay, then. I’ll just get the boys to help me clean the rest of this up.”
    Ariana gave Jimmy and Ryan a wink before heading inside.  
    They headed straight to Ariana’s room. Mayra closed the door behind them. Mayra grabbed her laptop from Ariana’s bed and opened it up.  
    Ariana opened her applications too, and they began working, asking each other for help every now and then.
    “What do you think has been the life experience that made me into a better person?” Ariana looked up at Mayra.  
    Mayra stopped typing and looked at her. “I imagine you shouldn’t talk about what happened with Carlos. I don’t know. How about a difficult class you’ve taken? Or getting along with your parents?”
    She thought about Mayra’s suggestions but decided against them. It should be something academic. DECA, she realized. The business speech she gave and what it taught her. The admissions people would probably like that. She began typing.  
    A few minutes later, Mayra asked. “What are three values I stand for?”
    Ariana laughed. “You should know that. I don’t know. Think of stuff they want to hear. Hard work. Perseverance. Helping others. Stuff like that.”
    Mayra nodded and went back to typing.  
    Mayra finished before her since she was only applying to the community college. “Well, I just hit submit, paid the application fee, and got the confirmation email. I am done.” She got up and stretched.  
    “I’m done with that one too, but I’m only halfway through the one for UGA, and I still have to research scholarships.”
    “I’ll do that later,” Mayra said. “My brain has refried. Let’s go outside for a while. It’s almost dark.”
    “You had one essay!” Ariana said, laughing.  
    “I know! I poured my life’s effort into that five hundred word thing. I’m ready for some fun.”  
    “Aren’t you gonna apply to any other colleges? What if you don’t get in to that one?” She looked up at her.
    Mayra pursed her lips. “If I can’t get into this college, I’m not getting into any college.” She walked out the door.  
    Ariana groaned and kept working.  
    About an hour later, she could hear everyone outside having a good time. Her parents were laughing, and Jimmy, Mayra, and Ryan were playing basketball. She wished she was out there, but she was almost done.
    Her brain felt like it was about to explode.
    She carefully hit