AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You know…” Eli reaches into his pocket and pulls out his phone. “Now that we’re real friends and not just work friends, we should all exchange numbers. Well, Payton and I should exchange numbers with you. We already have each other’s, obviously.”
“That sounds great.” It really does. I had a lot of fun hanging out with the two of them and am excited by the prospect of spending more time with them outside of work.
Once we’ve exchanged numbers, I get back into the car with Genesis. “They’re really nice,” she says quietly as soon as I get in.
“They are. That’s the first time I’ve hung out with them outside of work. They’re cool.”
“I think this was the first time we’ve hung out outside of school and basketball too.”
I have to think about this since it seems strange that we wouldn’t have, but Genesis is right. It’s probably because she’s normally busy with church activities and doesn’t go to any parties. “Except when you gave me that ride home,” I remind her. “I still can’t thank you enough for that. I was having a weird night and needed to get out of there. That was clutch.”
“I felt bad because you seemed really upset, but I didn’t want to force you to talk about anything you weren’t comfortable discussing. When I got home, I prayed that whatever was bothering you would work itself out.”
Wow. “That’s super nice. I’m not really sure what I believe, but I still really appreciate it.”
“That’s why I’ve invited you to church a few times.”
We’re going there? Weird. “What do you mean?”
Genesis stares out the window as she speaks to me. “I can’t remember if you were talking to me or if I overheard you talking to someone else, but a few years ago, you said you weren’t sure what you believed. That’s why I invite you to church. I thought maybe if you went, it would help you figure it out.” I’m silent as I try to process what this means, and Genesis must notice it. She turns her attention from the window over to me. “What’s wrong?”
Might as well be honest. “I always thought you invited me to church to help me pray the gay away.”
“What?” Genesis practically screams. “You really thought that?” Her voice is quieter now. “Shoot. I’m so sorry. That’s the opposite of what I was doing. My church is open and affirming.”
“Open and affirming?”
“The church is fully accepting of gay people. We don’t believe it’s a sin or anything. The most important thing to God is love and He wants us to have that love, no matter who it’s with.”
“I—” Honestly, I’m speechless. “I really had no idea. All this time, I thought you were trying to convert me.”
Genesis gasps. She honest to God gasps as if I just said the craziest thing in the world. “That’s the last thing I want.”
It feels like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders that I didn’t even realize I was carrying. Tonight has been perfect, and I’m so happy right now. “In that case, the next time I’m off on a Sunday, I’ll go to church with you.”
“Really?” The way she says the word makes it sound like I offered to buy us tickets to see her favorite singer in concert, not go to church with her.
“Yeah. I’d really like it.”
We are both silent for the remainder of the drive, but it’s a comfortable silence I would never have expected with Genesis Brimstone.
When I finally get home, I feel like I’m buzzing. Between the game, dinner, and learning what Genesis really thinks of my sexuality, I’m practically floating. There is one person I want to talk to more than anyone else right now, though, so I get out a pen and paper and I start to write.
Hi!! I just got back from my basketball game and I can barely contain my excitement. I’ve been working so hard, but I still never expected it to go so well. I can’t believe I was the high scorer. Something like that always felt like a pipe dream and now it’s a reality… IN MY FIRST GAME OF THE SEASON. Sorry, I’m super pumped.
Can I admit something kind of strange? I don’t know where you were sitting tonight, who you were with, what you were wearing, and whether or not you said something to me after the game, but I do know that you were there. Not because you told me you’d be there, but because I could feel you there. I could sense your presence. I think it’s part of what helped me have such a good game. I wanted to do that for you. I really hope you enjoyed watching it.
I’m essentially intoxicated from the game, so I better go before I say something stupid (or at least more stupid than I already have). Thanks for being there <3
I look over the note once I’m done writing and decide I’m satisfied with it. I look around my room for something to do and contemplate bothering my siblings. I almost wish I had homework because I’m so jacked up from my game, I need something to do and sleep isn’t an option. As if sensing my unrest, Jazmin texts me at that very moment.
I’m on such a high from that game. I need to talk to you about something. Could we get together now or are you too tired?
Even if I had been tired before, there’s no way I would be now because her text has me intrigued. Of course. Do you want to come to my house or should I come to yours?
It only takes a few seconds to get a text back from Jazmin. I was actually hoping we could just go for a drive. I’ll pick you up in 15?
Now I’m a little worried. Jazmin only asks to go on drives to talk when something is really bothering her. I hope she’s okay. Sounds great! I’ll be ready.
