When False Turns to Fate

Chapter 3

HEY GUYS! So I'm super tired its been a really long day, but I felt bad that I hadn't updated in a little while so I thought I'd do the final editing on this chapter so I could publish it. I hope you like it! I know I'm not the greatest writer in the world but I hope that this encourages you, or at least entertains you in a positive way- no vulgarity needed. :) enjoy!

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I wake up Saturday morning with an annoyed groan. My dad has the worst habit of waking me up in the most obnoxious ways imaginable. Today's method is to blare Christian rock radio while singing at the top of his lungs.

Oh how I love my father. (Note my sarcasm by the way)

I jump (more like flop) out of bed and head to the bathroom across the hall. One look in the mirror and I know it's going to be a struggle to get ready. My curly blonde hair falls in awkward waves, stopping about four inches past my shoulders. My makeup from yesterday is smeared down my face and my morning breath is horrific.

I take my retainers out of my mouth and place them in their case. Then I take off the makeup and brush my hair. I'm feeling particularly lazy today, so I throw my mess of curls into a messy bun and head down to breakfast.

As per usual, the kitchen is whirring with the sound of bacon frying and coffee brewing. My dad is always the one to make breakfast, and you can bet it's fattening. My breakfast frequently consists of bacon, cheesy eggs, and hash browns. Hey, I'm not complaining. It does take a toll on my midsection though.

"Morning dad," I mumble as I shuffle my way to the dining room table.

"Good morning sweetheart," he replies, flipping a pancake in the process. Saturdays always mean pancakes- Specifically chocolate chip pancakes (my favorite). He places a plate piled high with pancakes and bacon (extra crispy, just how I like it) in front of me. I pray over my food before diving into the stack of pancakes- moaning in pleasure. I gorge myself, eating every last morsel of the breakfast food. It takes me approximately two whole minutes to devour my food, and I get up to put my dishes in the dishwasher.

I see my mom enter the kitchen and I greet her with a 'good morning' before I head to my room to get dressed. I have piano lessons on Saturday mornings, so I have to head out soon. On my way to my room, I poke my head into my sister's doorway to see she still isn't awake. We have to leave in fifteen minutes! I hit her with a pillow to wake her up, yelling that we have to leave soon before exiting her bedroom.

I dress casually in sweatpants and a marching band festival t-shirt. Knowing I don't have anywhere else to go, I don't bother applying any makeup. I grab the keys to my Chevy Impala, my piano music, and my phone before heading out.

Time for another uneventful Saturday lesson.

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Piano lessons today could be summed up in one word- awful.

I have begged and begged my mom not to make me do contest this year, but I got to my lesson today to find out she had already paid for me to play.

*sigh* Time for another year of humiliation.

So here I am, going over and over and over my scales thinking about how this is literally the only thing I'm going to be doing today. I've really got to find a new hobby.

I'm extremely bored, so I decide to call Gabby. We haven't had a sleepover in two weeks. When we were in middle school, we wouldn't spend more than a day apart. I miss that... I think to myself as I dial her number. I'm greeted with an annoyed moan. "Hello"

"Gabby, get your butt out of bed I'm lonely!" I know I don't have to say any more-she gets the gist.

Another frustrated groan comes from the other end of the line and I let out a chuckle and roll my eyes, hanging up the phone. Gabby is NOT a morning person. She hardly wakes up past two and it's only noon so I must have interrupted her hibernation.

Too bad! I get up from the piano bench and head to the kitchen to start making lunch. The one thing that will cheer my best friend up (and save me from a near death experience for waking her up) is to make her food. All her parents ever have at her house is packaged junk, so when she comes to my house I make food for her. Real food- from like living things. It's a foreign concept in her family.

I set the grilled cheese sandwiches and homemade tomato soup on the table just as she enters the front door. She doesn't even have to knock anymore- this is practically her second home.

I hear a hum of appreciation from her before she plops down and begins to devour the meal. That's my girl -I think to myself before I join her in the feast.

"So how was your date with Brett?" She asks, knowing full well I hated when she teases me about liking him. I don't. Really. He's just one of my best friends-like a big brother. Gabby, (and all the rest of my friends) however seem to think there is more to it. Save me.

I roll my eyes,"it was fun. The little ones and I watched a movie with him and ate popcorn and I had a good hour long conversation with Annie. Then we played Sorry until the kids fell asleep at the table." She laughs at this.

Gabby and I talk on like this for hours before we finally pop in a DVD- Tangled because who doesn't love Disney?!? This is typically how a sleepover works with us. We talk, eat, and watch childish movies before talking some more and falling asleep at three in the morning. We always regret the last part, because it's now Sunday, which means I'm going to be exhausted at church today.

We woke up and hour ago and Gabby headed to her own church to volunteer in the nursery. The service at my church doesn't start for two hours, so I am taking my time getting ready. I grab my favorite neon pink maxi skirt and toss a white T over my head. I apply foundation, eye liner, and mascara (the usual) and grab a denim jacket to complete my ensemble. My hair is straitened and I've braided a section of my bangs back. Not too shabby if I do say so myself.

With one final spritz of my favorite body spray, I grab my keys and head out.

I arrive at my church an hour before service so I can warm up with the band. My church isn't super big, so there is only about sixty people in our youth group. I'm supposed to sing lead today, and I'm a little nervous, even though there aren't many people.

The band begins to play and we go over the first verse of each song to make sure no one has forgotten anything. My voice is a little tired still, but thankfully I warmed up in the car so it doesn't sound too much like a dying whale song.

Give me faith, to trust what you say
That you're good, and your love is great
I'm broken inside
I give you my life

I sing the chorus of the last song and close my eyes to just let the words sink in. I love the worship at my church. It's so meaningful- no fluffy Christian- it's real and true to the Word.

I rest for a few minutes, watching as the students of St. James Assembly of God pour into the auditorium. The pastor opens with a prayer and the guitar strikes its first chord behind me.

This is my favorite part of the day.

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Thank you for reading! Vote if you liked it and let me know what you think! You can message me or just leave a comment. Every suggestion is welcome, and I appreciate those who read.

God bless! ❤️

-M.J. 😚