Julie inherits metaphysical powers on her 16th birthday that compel her to change the lives of others in need.

THREE

(Page One)

I jerked awake and gasped for air. Not that dream. Not today! I inhaled slowly and tried to clear the nightmare from my head. But the alarm buzzed, forcing me to life. I jumped to slap it off. Stumbling to the bathroom mirror, I faced my first birthday surprise: A new zit.
“Happy Birthday to you, too,” I muttered to the angry red mound. It had to be my biggest pimple yet. I shrugged off my tank top and flannel bottoms and climbed into the shower. The hot water beat out the rest of the bad dream.
After I dried my straight brown hair and dressed in the clothes I’d laid out the night before, I checked myself out in the mirror. Could be worse. No teenage beauty, but my face shouldn’t scare anyone today.
I squeezed around piles of unpacked boxes in the hall. We’d moved to Sonoma on Thursday and only pulled out what we really needed. We were supposed to be here before school started back in September, but Dad flaked and took a month-long job in Merced first. So now it’s October fifteenth and I’m about to have my second uncomfortable first day at a high school where I’m the new girl this year.