Chapter Seven
Meanwhile, back with the remainder of the group, Breathe had ended and Libby was gonna tell Cindy that she had finally accepted Christ into her life a couple minutes ago, but when she turned to talk to her she wasn't there. In fact, most of the group had disappeared. "Anybody seen Cindy, Jimmy, Shayna, Stacey or Dani?" She asked.
"Nope." Sheen said. "But I think we should join the rest of the school, don't you?"
Libby looked around, someone, had started breaking up the small groups and most of the school, besides those who refused to participate, or those whom were in any of the question and answer groups, had joined hands to form a very, very, huge circle. She, and the others scooted back to the gap in the circle, Facing away from the overhead, which had been placed in the center by the flag, and was showing the lyrics to whatever song they were singing at the time. Libby and the others joined in singing 'Jesus'.
"Jesus, Jesus
Holy and anointed one,
Jesus.
Jesus, Jesus,
Risen and exalted one;
Jesus
Your name is like honey on my lips,
Your Spirit's like water to my soul,
Your word is a lamp unto my feet.
Jesus, I love you;
I love you.
Jesus, Jesus…."
They sang Jesus about three times through and then continued singing countless praise and worship songs. Around 10:30 Blockwest let his group take a break and he announced that the cafeteria was now opened and that students were free to go as they pleased. Instantly, the hundred or so kids who were chatting or making cards on the side ran to get to the cafeteria, while the others kept singing, or whatever they were doing. However, eventually by 1:00 the whole school had at least gotten their food from the cafeteria, the 300 students that got there in time got to sit in the cafeteria, discussing the events of the day, and other stuff. While those who got there too late sat in the bleachers, and ate, while talking, singing, and/or listening.
Several Bibles, either from kid's lockers, or the few extra Blockwest kept in his office, were brought into the gymnasium, and were shared throughout the school. Since Sandlake had became principal, way before Cindy or Jimmy attended the Jr. High, Bibles, and anything that had to do with religion had been banned. And while the kids knew that the very idea was un-constitutional; no one ever said, or did anything to change it. And because Bibles had been banned, there were very few to go around. So those who were lucky enough to have a Bible read favorite stories or verses, or quizzed each other, while the rest listened.
By about two o clock the kids had ate lunch and went back to little prayer groups, but most of them read from on of the gospels or Romans or Ephesians instead of praying. Popcorn reading was very popular and others had one elected reader. Again, before the kids knew what happened Vice Principal Blockwest came on the microphone saying they were dismissed to go to their lockers to get their stuff and load busses.
Everyone hugged those closest to them, and Sara, Jason, Alex, Amy, Ashley, and Andrea, all planned a get together with Jimmy and Cindy's group for that weekend before church. They decided that Dani's house would be the best place to have it at. She no longer lived with the Dean's since finding out that Jimmy was really her brother, and due to recent sibling rivalry had the whole downstairs to her and her friends. "I hope Andy's feeling good enough to come, he has a little cold right now." Dani said.
"Me too." Jimmy said. Way too many girls for me! At least Jason seems to have joined the group.
"I thought you were sick of Andy hanging around?"
"Yea, but he is an older guy, and your friend. Plus, a positive older influence is good for me."
"Ok, Jim, we all know your views, what's up?" Shayna asked.
"Nothing, really."
"Whatever." Stacey said fully believing him.
"So, you guys attending church this Wednesday?" Dani asked the 'new' kids.
"Planning on it." Andrea spoke up for her and her twin-sister Amy. The others nodded in agreement.
"Well, look forward to seeing you there! But we," Dani said eyeing her group, "have to catch the bus, that is unless you want Shay driving us home."
At that comment the whole group stampeded to the bus. Shayna had jus gotten her drivers license and hadn't exactly figured out how to put the brakes on smoothly yet. Other tan that she was a pretty good driver, but the brake thing was enough to make anyone want to ride the bus. And., being the oldest of the group, she was the only one with her drivers license. "Relax, the car is at home, but if you need a lift to church on Wednesday…"
"Sis, stop while you're ahead." Shelby said.
"Actually, I kinda do need a ride." Heather said.
"You are seriously desperate enough that you are resorting to asking Shay to drive ya?" Cindy asked.
"Well, mom's out of town, and I'm not using one of Jimmy's inventions again!"
"Hey, his inventions work!" Cindy said without thinking.
"Oh, I knew you liked him!" Stacey said jumping up and down excitedly.
"Stace, it's ok, calm down." Dani said, calming her friend. "You really like him! I knew it!" Dani said jumping twice as high and twice as much squeal in her voice. Seeing Dani get all excited again started jumping up and down squealing with Dani.
"Girls! Stacey, Dani, you can calm down now because I do not like Jimmy, ok?" Cindy practically yelled.
Instantly both teens stopped jumping and screaming and looked at the floor. "Oh man!" Dani said.
"And yes, I'll give you a ride to church Heather." Shayna said. "Now come on, let's go catch that bus."
All fifteen kids ran to the bus., getting there just one millisecond before the bus was going to pull away. Climbing on the bus the fifteen of them filled what was a spacious bus to almost filled to capacity. Jimmy and Cindy ended up sitting together.
"So, what was that kiss about?"
"Excited I guess, for all the kids that participated. What was the smile about?"
Busted. "The kids."
Does he really think I buy that? "Well, um it's our stop."
"Right, after you." Jimmy said. Cindy slid out in front of him, and Dani and Stacey excited the bus as well.
"And Jimmy, your roller car's pretty cool."
"Thanks."
"Just don't expect me to be nice to you tomorrow."
"Me neither!"
"Neutron, you couldn't be mean if you tried!"
"Could too! And I'd watch out Vortex." Ok, so you got the threat, problem! You don't have a plan.
"Whatever Neutron, you so don't scare me!"
"Later Vortex."
"Much!"
"Jimmy, why do you treat her like that?" Dani asked. "You are not helping yourself any, I mean I know you like her, and yet you wonder why she hates, or at least appears to hate you."
"Ain't like I have a chance."
"Don't say that, you always have a chance, just start acting like the eighth grader you are and not the fifth grader you used to be. Like Stacey, she thought she'd never make it over here to America, but here she is!"
"Yea, like me!"
"Ok, so not exactly like her, but take it from your older sis, there is hope!" A lot more then you'd ever think.
"Well, thanks, now I know I have a tiny chance, that helps a lil… I guess."
"Anytime Bro! Come on Stace; let's go see if Mom needs help setting the table, it is our day after all."
"Coming." Stacey said running inside. "Why can't we tell him?"
"Because, Cindy's sworn us to secrecy, and he should find out on his own, or take the chance of asking her not knowing what will happen."
"But both of their lives are… pathetic! If there's a day I don't hear one of them complain, it's a miracle."
"I know, but still, it's their lives, not ours. Sides, you just keep helping Cindy, and they'll crack eventually."
"Okay." Stacey said. "Hey, Mom, need help with the table?"
"That would be very helpful! Thank you girls. How was school?"
"Awesome!" Dani said
"Really? I don't think I've ever heard that come out of any of your mouths."
"Well today, Principal Sandlake's daughter was terribly ill so he had to call in sick. And Jeremy took over and we had a whole day of prayer and worship! It was so cool!"
"Jeremy? Oh, you mean Mr. Blockwest! What will Sandlake do when he gets back?" Judy asked removing a tray of brownies from the oven.
"Well, we're hoping that no one says anything. Are those Hershey Deluxe Chocolate Brownies?" Dani asked sniffing the air.
"The ones with triple the real Hershey's chocolate then any other brownies? I love those!" Stacey exclaimed getting all hyper at the thought of the fluffy, rich chocolate going down her throat.
"That's them, but these are for desert."
"Mom, can Shayna come over tonight? We're working on something. And you might want to save a few of those brownies, she'll kill all of us if you don't."
"Yes, and Dani, sweetheart, saving Hershey Deluxe Chocolate Brownies for Shayna is a given. Actually, tell me when she's coming and I'll cook you three up a special batch."
"Thanks, you're the best!" Dani said giving Judy a huge hug and leaving the room for downstairs.
"Are you sure this will work?" Stacey said changing her regular old white socks to her funky toe socks.
"If Shayna can pull it off it should."