Katie Charles

The Hand You're Dealt Katie Charles

Lori Johnson begins college with the hope of being just another freshman. Some kids like to stand out from the crowd, but Lori wants to blend in. She spent much of high school being the unwanted center of attention, accused of "faking" a painful disease. If only that were true. In constant pain that only varies by degrees, Lori decides to hide her invisible condition for as long as she can, until she knows she can trust the people around her, or until the inevitable happens and she can hide her pain no longer. She trusted people to support her before, and learned the worst way possible her trust was unfounded. Her slate is clean now, and she hopes she can be Lori first, her disability not at all. Dating wasn't in her overall fly below the radar plan, but Dylan is there from day one and she can't deny it feels good to be with someone who doesn't question her, or do the opposite and treat her like an invalid. When she opens up to him and tells him her whole truth, he stays true to the boy she has seen since the beginning. He supports her and treats her like a person, not a disease, which is all she could ever ask for. Life goes on, and as much as she tries her best to avoid the inevitable, the day comes when she can't hide her pain any longer. Now is the true test. Who will stay true to their word and be there for her when she faces the hardest part of her life? Who will disappear when the road gets tough? Who will surprise her completely? Either way, Lori has learned to stand on her own two feet -- even when she needs a cane to do it -- and she will continue to hold her head high.