A/N: Ah! Thank you so much for the reviews, guys! I know that my chapters are short so I'm trying really really hard to make them as long as I can. I have some inspiration obstacles to bear right now, so the next chapter or two might not be up until Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest. So I thought I'd add one more for the road... you'll probably hate me for how this chapter ends, but like I heard Barbara Hall say in an interview... well, she likes cliffhangers. Oops, my bad, did I give it away? Enjoy!
Chapter Five: Putting Her Foot Down... Almost
She found Him leaning against her locker. God in the same form that had asked her months ago to ask out Steve "Would've gone on a school shooting spree if Joan hadn't observed" Ramsey to a dance. A part of her prayed that He wasn't going to ask her to fulfill another similar task. She hadn't ordered her bullet-proof vest with a matching bag yet...
"I'm sorry to disappoint you, Joan." He smiled at her as she approached Him. With the same knowing look, "No kamikaze missions this time. Just going to ask you a simple little question."
She crossed her arms, a snarky little smile playing on her lips. "Sure... once you answer one of mines: What really came first; the chicken or the egg?"
God gave a half-smile. "That's really funny, Joan. Bet that sense of humor came in handy during your afternoon with Mr. Price."
Joan's eyes widened before quickly scanning the area around them for people. Realizing that the hallways were relatively empty, she hissed softly, "A little louder, please. I don't think the entire student body heard you!"
"Would it really bother you if everyone found out that you had visited Price in the hospital?"
"Yes!"
"Why?"
In soft desperation, "Do we really have to talk about this here? In the hallways? Where anyone could hear us?"
God showed no signs of moving. Instead, He crossed his arms patiently, which only aggravated Joan more. "Why does everyone knowing bother you?"
Sighing, "Two reasons. One is social suicide. Everyone in this school would rather swallow that meat thing I just killed in there than voluntarily spend more than five minutes with Price. Can you imagine then what they'd think of me?"
He gave her an amused look. "Joan, I don't have to imagine. I know."
"Fine." She snapped, "Then you also know reason number two! Adam and Grace? My only two best friends in this stupid school? They'd probably cast some sort of banishment or something if they found out that I spent time with the enemy."
"Adam and Grace are not going to banish you from their lives." He stated matter of factly.
"Adam did once! Remember? Or were you under some kind of rock during the whole art smashing episode?" Joan glared.
"This isn't a television show, Joan. I do remember what happened. However, I know Adam a bit more than you do. And trust me, the words 'Jane' and 'banishment' do not belong in the same sentence as far as he's concerned."
This little "revelation" certainly surprised Joan. A part of her irritation towards God suddenly disappeared. With an anxious smile, "And what is that supposed to mean?"
"I'm all about hints, remember? Now, are you ready to answer my simple little question?"
Unable to help herself, Joan sarcastically replied, "I bet that you really kick ass in the game 20 Questions, huh?"
"Did you have a good time yesterday afternoon with Mr. Price?"
A laugh escaped her lips. "Oh! That's so subtle... Adam? Eve? Did you take a bite out of that apple when I told you not to?" This time, she refused to falter under his silent, discerning look.... or at least she tried. Sighing, "You know I did. Okay, I had a nice time talking with him. It wasn't that bad once we got through the initial awkwardness. And I guess I get brownie points for making him laugh, right? So, overall... I'm kind of glad that you 'suggested' I pay him a visit. I mean, I certainly learned that Price isn't so mean outside of school."
"So, you otherwise enjoyed yourself?"
She nodded, "Yeah, I did."
God suddenly straightened up. His hands now in his black pants pocket as he beamed softly at Joan. "Good. That probably means you'll no doubt enjoy yourself the next few times."
Before He even had a chance to walk away from her, Joan quickly snatched his elbow just as he was about to turn away. "What?"
JoA~~JoA
A few classrooms away from where Joan and God were having their conversation, Friedman and Glynnis entered the scene. They were about to head towards the cafeteria in hopes of finding Luke when they saw her talking to this young gothic looking student.
They watched Joan, apparently having a disagreement with the Goth. Glynnis looked on, worried for Luke's sister, while Friedman just regarded the scene with amusement. "Wow," He started, "Joan just makes the most interesting friends..."
JoA~~JoA
Joan, realizing that she was holding God's "elbow" captive, released her hold on him. She mumbled a quick apology before hounding him. "Are you kidding me?"
"I hardly kid around, Joan. Despite my sense of humor."
"One that was probably responsible for Friedman, no doubt. But seriously, are you kidding me? You want me to visit Mr. Price again?"
"Not again... about as much as you can before he's finally released."
"Why?" This time her voice was more of a whine than of anger.
He raised his eyebrow. "You don't want to?" When Joan crossed her arms and gave him this "What do you think?" look, He sighed. "Okay... you don't have to."
This caught her off guard, especially at how calm God was being. Suspiciously, "Really?"
"How many times have I told you, Joan? I get tired of repeating that I don't make you do things. You do have free-will. You can say 'No'."
Joan scoffed, "Yeah... like I really can say 'no' to you!"
He gave her a small smirk, "It was never a new development."
She slowly regarded him. Unlike before, this time she had gotten this feeling that maybe she could have things go her way. "So... I don't have to go?"
As if answering a simple little question, God nodded, "If you don't want to."
Still unsure, "I can put my foot down?"
"Both feet if you prefer."
Giving him a teasing glare, "And this isn't some sort of reverse psychology thing you're pulling on me, right?"
He replied a tired sigh, "I mean it, Joan. You can say 'no' to me. Other human beings have said far worst than that single two letter word."
Joan felt no amount of guilt at putting up a satisfied smile on her face. Feeling as if a weight has been lifted, "Okay then. No, I am not going to do what you're suggesting."
God gave a nod of his head and showed no signs of disappointment, or any other emotions with the exception of a respectful smile. "If that's what you want, Joan. I'll see you around."
It was then that Joan suddenly felt this uneasy feeling in the pit of her stomach. That same feeling where you knew that things seemed too good to be true. Instinctively, she was about to stop him when...
"Oh, by the way," God had did a half turn before facing Joan one more time. "Just like you shouldn't be surprised that I'm respecting your free-will... you shouldn't be surprised at Mr. Price's newfound respect towards you the next time he sees you."
She bit back an exclaimed "I knew it!" from exiting her lips. Joan gave him a tight smile and watched as he walked away. Just as God gave the infamous back-handed wave, Joan cried out, "They've got the expression wrong! The best lawyers never did sell their souls to the devil, did they?"
JoA~~JoA
For the first time in Joan's academic career, she was actually hoping that school would never end. She hated Him for that. Once the bell rang, releasing the students out into the open world, Joan had to face her crossroads all on her own. To visit Price or not to visit Price, that is the question. This was nothing compared to her wondering why she didn't want to visit him. Why did God have to make her think so much?! Her face scrunched up in annoyance, though not too many people noticed because she had done it along with the rest of the class at the exact same time that their English teacher was assigning homework. Joan would give anything to stay back in school, short of landing herself in detention.
The temptation was so strong that Joan's eyes landed on the fire alarm that was outside in the halls, just a few feet away from the door. From where she was sitting, she had a perfect view and was able to calculate the distance and how soon she'd get caught. She shifted anxiously in her seat and wondered if maybe she should just pull it now, with her English class as her witness.
As her eyes strayed back towards the alarm, one of the school's Security Guards walked into view. Joan's eyes widened, realizing that it was the same guard that had advised her to join the debate team. In other words, God had picked up on her plans. He raised a questioning eyebrow, which soon turned into a warning glance. She watched as He then gave one final nod, then walked away.
Joan gave a silent groan, realizing that no matter what decision she made, she will still ultimately face God. More than that, she'd have to face the consequences of her action. That thought especially rang through as she recalled her conversation with God over a chess board many months ago. Joan quietly snorted in disgust, "Great, I've got God for a conscious."
The bell rang and Joan had to make a choice...
JoA~~JoA~~JoA
