A/N: Two reviews! Better than one, I guess. Thank you guys for reviewing and staying with the story. I'm updating at a fast pace because I just found the inspiration to finish this story - it came to me in a dream! Seriously! Well...anyway, onto the story.
Chapter 4: The Youth of Our Generation
Dear Trust,
There have only been certain times when I have used you in this short life. Each time it turns to hurt and my secrets exposed. Tell me how I can use you to my advantage. Tell me how I can not be hurt by these people.
The spring came into bloom as I put on my blue summer dress. The cold winter finally passed and I was filled with excitement. The Sunday morning air played with the hems on my dress and I shyly had to keep it pushed down. The church wasn't too far from here and I needed the exercise anyway.
I went to a different church than my mother. She always liked to go into the city, so she could show off her prize possession - the betrayer - and her baby bump. Something happened the one day I was gone during the winter and the next thing I know my mom had morning sickness and her diet changed.
The church I attended was a mile walk from our small home. We all used to go to it when our family was whole, but ever since my mom married him I have been the only one. The family was no longer mine, so I did what I knew God would see as the best for me in my life; it was to stay with the church I grew up on.
It was rather early when I decided to head out of the house. My bible was tucked under my arm and my dark hair was pulled back in a low ponytail. I was walking toward the rising sun and marveled in its colors and radiance.
The church was fairly small since ther were no longer many people who lived on the country side. I made my way up to the double doors and opened one of them slowly. I found myself staring in the holy place surrounded by scriptures on the walls and stained glass windows as well. Each week the beauty of the church never dwindled, it only shone more. I quietly went to the front to take my regular seat, but someone was already there.
This never happened on any occasion whatsoever. I approached the figure with hair that looked soft and almost lavender. Once I saw his hair though, I immediately knew who it was. He looked up at me with kind repenting eyes and stood up tall.
"Hello, I didn't expect to see you here." He said. He shook my hand with a firm grip. "Is this your regular seat? I'm sorry about that, if you would like I'll push over."
"Thank you." I said. He smiled at me with honest eyes as he sat a rather new looking bible just a few feet away from me.
I waited patiently for the preacher to make his way to the front of the church. He greeted me kindly with a handshake and a hug. I felt him pull me in closer and then he whispered in my ear,
"Who's this young man? He lookes like he is lost, is he a friend of yours dear?" I shook my head politely in response. "Well then, I advise you to be his friend, I feel as though he has come here to seek help and shelter." The elderly preacher nudged me before winking and making his way to the podium.
I took a quick glance back at the teenage boy who saved me and gave him a smile. He did deserve that at least. He barely caught the smile in the corner of his eye and gave me the lonliest look in the world. My body shivered at the feeling he left me and I turned my attention to my familiar pastor.
The sermon was relatively short like it always was and the church had about thirty people in it. I was used to the small amount of people and when it was over I walkd toward the blue eyed young man.
His fingers fidgeted as I approached him, and I gave him a warm smile so he would know that I meant him no harm. He returned the smile, but lacked any courage to say anything to me.
"Did you enjoy the sermon?" I asked casually. He nodded his head lightly. I watched as he clutched his leather covered bible and pushed himself off the pew.
"Would you mind if I asked you a question?" He asked. He looked up into my eyes with sincerity. It was then that I noticed the skin under his left eye was rather puffy. I kept my thoughts to myself because the last time that I interrogated him he seemed reluctant to answer my question.
"Of course not." I replied.
"How is it that these last two times I've seen you, you look so happy?" he asked. "I want to be where you are, you look so alive."
I was taken aback by his statement and did not fully understand it. I wasn't always happy, not in my home at least, and here he was accusing me of having these emotions. I shook my head lightly and tried to think logically. How did I make myself happy? It was by going out of my house and opening my father's bible to find a scripture.
Then I realized it. He didn't have someone to share his happiness with. This must have been his first time at a church. I was convinced that he didn't have God in his life. My face brightened as I took a hold of the new bible in his hands.
"It's because I have accepted Christ." I said. "If ever I feel down, I turn to him."
He wore a confused look upon his features as I said this, and then finally found the words he wanted to say.
"How do I do that?" He asked curiously.
"Hold on, I'll go get the pastor." I hurriedly ran to the back of the chapel where he was. I pulled the humble pastor aside and gently whispered in his ear about my blue eyed caretaker. The elderly man nodded his head in approval before instructing me to stay where I was while he helped guide the young boy.
I sat in a back pew and observed them talking. My elderly pastor got down on his knees and so did the lavender haired boy. I smiled as I watched the wonderful ceremony of Christ coming into his heart. The two of them walked toward me and the pastor only hugged me before saying goodbye. But, he stayed.
"So, how are you getting home?" he asked looking down at his feet.
"Walking of course." I said with a smile. "Would you like to join me? I believe we're both going the same way."
"Sure." He mumbled.
He escorted me out of the church and our walk began.
It seemed more tranquil when I walked with him. The shadows blocked out the high noon sun that regularly hit my eyes. I concluded that I could get used to him walking with me to and from church. The walk was excruciatingly quiet and when my house came into view I sighed softly, catching his attention.
"Can I trust you?" he asked quietly, almost as though he really did not want to say it.
"Yes, of course. I have not told one person's secrets." He nodded and looked at the ground for a short second. I could sense the tension in the air and I held my breath shortly.
"I lied to you about the bruise on my eye." he started. "It was not from the logs - I know it was a sorry excuse - it was from the man who I call my...my..." he trailed off and exhaled deeply. "Father."
I gasped lightly and it was in that moment when I saw his blue eyes fade grey. There was dispair and a hint of anger that he dared not let out. Something within my innate self told me to reach up and talk a hold of his hand, but when I did he merely flinched away from the touch. I understood his feelings and the rest of the walk was quiet. When we came within footsteps of my home, I did not speak one word as we both parted our ways.
I watched in silence as he made his way into the forest.
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So, what did you think? Does it sound too cliched? And have you noticed anything...er interesting about how I am writing this story? Whoever can figure it out gets major kudos!
