• Chapter

      Chapter 5

      Chapter 5 Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter 5 of If These Wings Could Fly immerses readers in the complexities of family relationships and societal expectations. The narrator reflects on her sister, Campbell Grace Barnes, a deeply introspective and thoughtful individual who tends to keep her emotions and thoughts hidden. Campbell finds an unusual sense of freedom in riding her bicycle, a simple activity that allows her to escape the pressures of their busy home life. She treasures the quiet independence that comes with biking, enjoying the…
    • Chapter

      Chapter 49

      Chapter 49 Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter 49 of If These Wings Could Fly opens with Leighton waking up in Liam’s bed, a situation that fills her with a sense of unease due to the intimacy and closeness of the moment. The warmth of the morning contrasts with the discomfort she feels, heightened by the weight of their developing relationship. When she checks the window, she finds odd gifts left by Joe, tying the present moment back to her past. These gifts, although small, hold a deep significance for her, and she decides to collect them…
    • Chapter

      Chapter 48

      Chapter 48 Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter 48 begins with the world still wrapped in the quiet of early morning, the rain softly pattering against the window. I awake long before the sun rises, my mind a blank canvas, suspended between the realms of sleep and wakefulness. In this space, I feel untethered, like a solitary being adrift in the stillness of the dark. As I lie there, suspended in time, a sense of connection slowly reasserts itself—reminding me that I am not alone. Liam’s arm around my ribs and his large hand gripping mine…
    • Chapter

      Chapter 47

      Chapter 47 Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter 47 begins with Leighton settling into a quiet Friday evening at Liam's home, enjoying the calm and simplicity of the moment. The atmosphere is peaceful, providing a contrast to the tension she's felt in recent days. After a brief but helpful shower tutorial from Liam, she borrows one of his old football shirts to wear, feeling a sense of comfort in the ordinary. As she explores the house, her fingers lightly graze the picture frames that line the walls, each one holding memories that seem to tell a…
    • Chapter

      Chapter 46

      Chapter 46 Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter 46 begins with Leighton waking up early, feeling a dull stomachache that weighs on her. Her family surrounds her—her mom and sisters—but her attention is drawn outside where the absence of her father's truck indicates that he likely stayed at his workplace, a trailer used by Barnes Construction. This realization brings with it a mix of emotions, as her father’s absence typically suggests that the operations at the construction site are sluggish, especially during the colder winter months.…
    • Chapter

      Chapter 45

      Chapter 45 Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter 45 begins with the narrator reminiscing about several painful episodes from their childhood, moments marked by both physical and emotional distress. These memories are vivid and impactful, starting with the incident at age four when the narrator stepped on a piece of sharp scrap metal, an early experience of pain that left a lasting impression. As they grow older, more painful moments arise, such as the fever that consumed them at seven years old, leaving them weak and vulnerable. Then, at age…
    • Chapter

      Chapter 44

      Chapter 44 Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter 44 unfolds with an intense surge of emotional tension as Leighton is suddenly awoken by her mother’s distressed cry in the middle of the night. Instinctively, she rushes to her younger sisters, Cammy and Juniper, who are huddled together, whispering in fear that something terrible is happening to their mother. Driven by the urgency of the situation, Leighton quickly instructs the girls to hide in the armoire, telling them to remain silent and stay safe. Despite her own growing anxiety, she forces…
    • Chapter

      Chapter 43

      Chapter 43 Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter 43 begins on a snowy day as Leighton eagerly awaits Liam's arrival, her excitement mixed with a touch of anxiety. When he parks his car awkwardly in the snow-covered street, she greets him with both anticipation and nervousness. The backyard is alive with the laughter and energy of her younger sisters, Campbell and Juniper, who are joyfully playing in the snow. The moment is filled with playful tension as Leighton and Liam hesitate for a brief second, unsure of how to act, but Liam’s enthusiasm…
    • Chapter

      Chapter 42

      Chapter 42 Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter 42 opens with a peaceful winter morning, the world outside blanketed in fresh snow. The narrator wakes up to a sunlit room, the cold winter air softened by the warmth inside, and feels comforted as they snuggle with their siblings, Campbell and Juniper, under a cozy dragonfly quilt. The beauty of the untouched snow outside provides a sense of calm, but the absence of the usual crows in their yard catches the narrator’s attention. This quiet morning contrasts sharply with the sight across the…
    • Chapter

      Chapter 41

      Chapter 41 Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Chapter 41 begins with a cozy, intimate scene as the narrator and her sisters find comfort in each other’s presence, nestled under blankets on their bed. With their long hair cascading over the mattress, the atmosphere is warm and filled with the soft hum of conversation. The girls are all gathered together, taking refuge in this sacred moment of sisterly bonding. Campbell suggests the idea of a movie marathon for the upcoming weekend while their father is away on a work trip, and excitement quickly…
    Note