Well, the last story I uploaded, nobody seem to appreciate it to my annoyance. It wasn't meant to be anything serious, but because of the judgmental comment I've received from a viewer, I've decided it's better to delete it. Not only that, but I felt a little guilty about it even though my intentions were only for a good laugh. Oh well, there's nothing else I can really do about it now, but write another story that someone may like. Anyway, I hope you like this story, I worked extra hard on it!
Summary: One day a girl name Ariel (name meaning in Spirit) was walking all alone in the rain, and in the rain, she saw a boy. He was standing 5'8 nigh high, peering off into a distance, looking to be almost broken. Who is this boy and why does he look so sad? Can Ariel save this boy with the help of God? A love story between an Atheist and a Christian.
Warning: If you're going to flame my story at least have some good pointers to your actions. Yes, the boy is an atheist, but I know where I'm going with this! Also, do not judge me because I put an atheist in the story. I have a friend who is an atheist and I happen to like him very much so please no judgmental comments. Now for any atheist that wish to flame please keep it to yourself. You're wasting your time. Another thing if you can't handle the speech of "There is no God" than leave now. This story is NOT for you. This story is also not for the sensitive. It's actually better than it sounds. (Spoiler: Skip if you do not want to see the spoiler ending: The boy will NOT remain an atheist through the entire story.) For those who wish to see more, you are more than welcome too, and please enjoy. Leave a comment please!
Name meanings:
Ariel: Meaning" In spirit."
Orozora: Hebrew meaning for "God's strength."
There will also be singing involved in the story and no I DO NOT own any song.
Chapter One (Prologue): A stranger in the rain
"Can I get an Amen?" The preacher asked.
"Amen." The church said in unison.
"If you will, turn your pages to Matthew chapter 6 verses 14-15, now if you look at the verse, he SAYS for if you forgive men," The preacher stressed out, whipping the sweat from his head, he continued on his reading," He says for if you forgive men when they sin against you ah!" There were shouts of 'yeah' and 'preach it.' "your heavenly father will also forgive you, ah!" He chorused. There were more shouts of 'yes yes' and 'Amen' followed by a few claps of the hand.
"He says if each and everyone one of us can forgive a man for what they had done!" He shouted, than pointed at the crowd of people," He can also forgive you, ah!" The shouts of worship echoed off the church walls like the ringing bells in the last hour of a school day, "Now this doesn't just count for me and you, but for everybody, and when I say everybody, I mean everybody!"
"Can I get an Amen!" The preacher shouted.
"Amen!" The church shouted back.
"I, I just want to thank God for delivering sister Marla with us today. She's seventy six years old. She has on her little church hat, her nice black stockings, and LORD she brought her spirit here today! She brought it with her to church!" The church responded with their usual praise, giving their blessing to sister Marla who sat smiling at their praise.
"Now look over there at Brother Ray Jones." The preacher pointed to the male sitting on the side bench near the front, "He's looking like 'no body's gonna say anything about my new tux? Where's my blessing at?'" The church along with the brother Ray Jones begins laughing in a fitted mess. "I'm not worried about nobody complementing me because I KNOW I look good!" Ray jones shot back.
The church burst out into a fit of giggles once again, "I know that's right brother Ray Jones! Brother Ray said no body gotta compliment me, he came here to please God!" The crowd of people started clapping, while many others howl with agreement.
The preacher pulled out his battered rag from his pocket and whipped the sweat from his face. "As you can see, we really need some AC." The preacher joked earning a couple of laughs here and there.
"Now I want everyone to turn their head and look at the person next to them." The preacher announced as the church folks turn heads towards each other, "I want you to repeat after me and say; neighbor."
"Neighbor." The church repeated.
"I've struggled." The preacher said.
"I've struggled." The church repeated.
"I've sinned." The preacher said.
"I've sinned." The church repeated.
"I have been in pain." The preacher says.
"I have been in pain." The church recapitulates.
"I've been hurt." The preacher voiced.
"I've been hurt." The church says.
"But, I'm still here." The preacher said with pride.
"But, I'm still here." The church people smiled at one another.
"Now reach over and give your neighbor one big hug and tell them you love them."
The voices of happiness filled the church than suddenly a loud crackling noise erupted from outside the church startling the church members.
"I told you it was going to start lightning today." A female voice whispered to her friend whose nose was too indulged in the book to hear much of what had she said.
"Well at least I won't need that AC." And with that the church went back to praising, about the end of the church they begun to sing a few songs.
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound.
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found.
Was blind, but now I see.
"Why don't you go up there and sing, Ariel? You're always talking to me about wanting to become a singer, well this can be your starting point in becoming what you always wanted to be. You can't shy away forever if you want to become a professional singer."
T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed
The girl known as Ariel sighed. "I know but I'm too shy. I would probably end up forgetting the lyrics or something stupid like that, and what if my voice cracks and I mess up?"
Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
"See that's what everyone doesn't need in life. Stop doubting yourself and just do what your heart wants. What does your heart want, Ariel?"
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.
Ariel lowered her head and stared hard at her hands for a couple of minutes before her eyes hardened with determination. "My heart…..wants to sing." Ariel said lowly. Her mother looked over at her with a smile. "Go up there and sing for the Lord!" She shouted in quiet confidence to her daughter. Ariel got up from her seat, while thanking her mother for getting her the confidence she needed, she stepped up the few steps that led to the choir. The people in the choir smiled at her as she joined in on the song. After the song was over, another song was beginning to play; Ariel peered nervously at the mic. She really wanted to be the lead singer, but someone already had the part, and she wasn't sure if she was really ready to take on such a huge step in life.
Ariel breathes out a breath as the track beat flowed through her ears, something suddenly caught her attention, her mother was ushering her to grab the mic. Her mother formed unspoken words with her mouth, but Ariel knew what she was saying, and smiled at her. Her nervousness seemed to fade away as her mother formed a 'you can do it. I believe in you' with her red stained lips.
Ariel pushed through the choir saying excuse me to the members and tapped on the lead singer shoulder. The lead singer lowered the mic, bringing her ear towards the younger girl, "What is it sweety?" She asked as Ariel gazed in her hazel nut chest eyes. "I wanted to know if…if maybe…I could be the lead singer for this song."
The older girl seemed amused at her request. "Since when did you like to sing Mrs. Thang?" Ariel blushed at being called 'Mrs. Thang.' "I've always loved to sing and I want to be a singer so-"
"You thought this could help you get over your stage fright?" The older girl finished her sentence. The younger girl nodded in a daze. This girl had such pretty eyes. Oh, how she wished she had those eyes!
"Well alright here! Take the mic. Do you know the song 'this little light of mine?'" When the girl nodded to her question, she gave over the mic, and stepped back. The older girl whispered in the man playing the piano ear before she took a place near the side of Ariel.
"Good luck." The older girl said.
"Thank you." Ariel thanked her with a smile.
"Well, it looks like one of the young folks would like to be the lead singer, this young lady I've known her for the longest, but I've never heard her sing." The preacher confessed.
"It's because she's shy!" A voice shouted from the crowds. Ariel, at this time, wanted to bury her face in a Bible somewhere. Mom..why did you have to say that in front of everyone. Ariel thought in embarrassment.
"Shy? There's no need to be shy in the house of the Lord!" The preacher shouted in excitement as other clapped on. There were encouraging shouts from all over the church. The pressure to sing was almost an overload for the poor girl, but she slowly started to feel a little bit better, being reminded of her mother's inspiring words.
"Mom's right. The preacher is right. God loves me so why should I shy away with a talent that God has given me?" Ariel muttered under her breath before looking out into the crowd with a new found confidence. She was ready. She signaled for the piano man to play, and the person on the drums to start the music, she breathes out all of her nervousness. She put the mic a couple of inches away from her mouth and begins to sing shocking everyone at the sound of her voice.
Solo:(This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.)
The crowd was in a daze of what they were hearing. In just a single line they could hear how powerful and soulful this young girl voice is. They couldn't believe she could be hiding such a beautiful voice underneath all of that shyness.
(This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine,)
(This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine,)
The crowd of people were in peer shock, she not only sounded soulful, but she could hit every note on point. If you said this girl was amazing than that would be an understatement.)
(let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.)
(Hide it under a bushel - NO!)
I'm gonna let it shine.
Hide it under a bushel - NO!
I'm gonna let it shine,
Hide it under a bushel - NO!
The choir flowed with the girls' voice. The girl voice sounded like a choir herself. She didn't need anyone if she really didn't want anyone. Heck, her voice competed with the choir almost. The friction in their voices created the perfect harmony throughout the room.
let it shine, let it shine.
They kept singing the song until the song ended, and it was the end of the church hours, and everyone said their goodbyes to each other.
"Wow! I didn't know you could sing like that! You should be in a talent competition somewhere. I have no doubts that you would win." Said person complimented her, giving her a one arm hug, and walked over to the other church members to say goodbye to them as well.
"Where did you get a voice like that?! Now I know you're a child of God, with a voice like that, so soulful and powerful, I wouldn't even doubt if you met him already. Sista pearla!" She rambled on until she shouted out sista's pearla name who had just fainted in church, claiming she had the Holy Ghost in her when Ariel started singing. (lol)
"Great job."
"Incredible voice."
Compliments after another followed after the next. Ariel felt high self-confidence at all of the support she was receiving. She quickly said a thank you to all of them.
"You're pretty and you can sing? I think I'm getting jealous." Ariel looked up to see hazel nut brown eyes staring back at her," Orozora?" Ariel whispered with widen eyes at the girl compliment.
The girl nodded a happy confirmation. "You did good today. We would all enjoy if you sing next Sunday/Saturday (A/N depends on what day you go on.) for the lead singer in the choir."
The girl shook her head. "Oh no! I couldn't possibly take your spot. You've been the lead singer for so long." Ariel would feel guilty if she just up and took her part away from her. She's been the lead singer for most of the time she's been in the choir.
"You're so nice and sweet! Don't be too nice in the world or someone might take advantage of you and use you." Ariel felt an odd sense of warning nagging in the back of her head. She swept it away and gave the girl in front of her a huge smile. "I'll try not to." Ariel replied.
"Okay, well I have to go. Oh wait!" The older girl, Orozora, perked up, revealing sheets of music paper. "I forgot! These are the music the choir is studying for the next worship hour. We have practice on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, so please be there! Especially since you're the lead singer now!" Ariel was about to protest, but Orozora shoved the music sheets in her hands, and darted out the church, seeming in a hurry.
Ariel yelled in excitement. Yup, Ariel couldn't contain her thrill any longer and literally shouted out loud in the church. A giggle brought her back to her senses. She turned around to see her pastor, and her mother laughing at her.
Ariel blushed. "Uhm….sorry…"
The preacher waved her off. "Oh it's okay little one. A little screaming never hurts anyone, and a scream of excitement never displeases God when involved with such good talent as yours."
Ariel felt like shrinking back into her shell. These comments were just too much, who knew her voice sounded so good?
"Thank you."
"Yeah." Her mother interrupted. "I told her many times in the past that she needs to just shake off all of that nervousness and go after what her heart wants. She told me her hearts wants to sing, so that's what she wants to do, than she should."
"If I may ask, what kind of music are you interested in." The preacher asked.
"I love all types of music." Ariel responded.
"Jazz, country, rock and roll, r&b, classic, and Gospel?" The preacher pointed out.
"Yes. I love all of them. I love music in general."
"That's a nice way to view things. I could tell you're a very open person just by telling me this. That's a very special gift to have. A person can have all the physical strength in the world, but will really conquer in the end is the one with the brains. You, being an open person, you're more keen to know more than most people. The truth is everything."
"Amen." Her mother agreed.
"I know and thank you for letting me sing."
"Anytime. Make sure to come to them practices, it's very important to show up since you're the lead singer." The preacher looked down at the watch on his hand. "I better get going now because it pouring cats and dogs out there."
"Well, I don't want to rush anyone out, but I have to close the church."
"Oh it's okay. We were just about to leave." Ariel and her mother headed out the door into the rain. Ariel clasp open her umbrella before she stepped out into the heavy paving rain, the chatters of lightning far in a distance.
She stood there listening to the beautiful yet frightening clashing sound that was the lightning from only far away. Although it was pitch dark, because of the street lights, she was able to at least make out the houses, and her mother's face who was too occupied with speaking to the pastor to notice.
That's when Ariel saw a moving figure walking through the darkness. She squinted her eyes in the darkness, hoping to see what it was that was moving in the darkness. She subconsciously strutted her way over to the figure, and walked deeper into the midnight.
She ceased in her tracks as her eyes danced over the mysterious figure. A boy. All alone…out here by himself…. She thought as she observed the boy outward appearance. His hair a deep azure brown color, his eyes were a nice shade of grey/brown, his lips were cherry red, and his clothes were casual looking. He just wore a plain white Tee and some denim blue jeans. What really caught her eye though was the expression on the boy face. He just looked so..sad and broken, like a young child that had to give away their dog of ten years to the pound.
The boy felt someone staring at him and turned his head and saw a girl observing him. The boy appeared to be taken by surprise, he snarled, and turned away from her, on the heels of his feet, he begin walking even further into the darkness. The girl stared at the wondering boy until he was clear out of distance. She just stood there frozen like an ice cube.
What was that? That spark when our eyes connected….and who was that boy…and why did he look so sad and lonely? Oh well, I guess I shouldn't worry about it too much. If God wanted me to know about him than he has his ways of doing so…but even so..
"Ariel!" She almost jumped at the sound of the sudden voice. She whipped around to see her mother in the vehicle ushering for her to come on. Ariel wondered why she didn't notice her pull up already. She shrugged and got into the car after she let down her umbrella. She glanced down at her music sheets and sighed. They were damp with rain. Now she had to worry about the rain smoothing away the ink on the paper. She sighed again. She has a long year ahead of her, she thought.