Joey

Chapter One

" Forgive me father for I have sinned." I paused and swallowed. " I yelled at my mom, I had this really bad thought about pushing Abby, my younger sister down the stairs". I wanted to say more like how I had really impure thoughts about Austin Black but I stopped myself, staring at the red curtain separating Father Paul and I.

Everyone in church knows it was father Paul behind the curtain because we can all recognize his voice we rarely get guest Reverend fathers
" Recite three hail Marys and two our father. May the Lord have mercy on your soul and keep you from all evil I pray in the name of the father, son and the holy spirit." He said.
I did the cross sign and said amen. I stood up and walked out of the room I spotted my grandaunt Bethany who was waving at me from the pew where she saved me a seat.
I walked up to her and sank on the seat beside her.
" Lately you have been going for confession more often"
She narrowed her eyes at me adjusting her purple hat.
" I want a clean record with God"
I replied her as we both watched Mr Jay my AP English teacher struggling to get a seat with Mrs Judy Freeman who was widowed three years ago.
Everyone knows he has an hopeless crush on her.

The mass begins, Granny pats my shoulder affectionately, I think I'm her new favourite because I mostly accompany her to church. Abby comes sometimes but she is practicing for a musical at school so it is taking most of her free time.

Rivers, my elder half brother moved out from the house when he turned eighteen, now he is twenty three, He stays in an apartment with Louisa Frank his girlfriend who is a nurse at Steve Austin Academy sickbay which is my school.
My mother, Georgia Miller had Rivers when she was just sixteen. Mom divorced my dad three years ago. So, she is a single mom and a successful Lawyer but very busy. Altagracia, our housekeeper I think she is atheist.

Granny Beth and I walked to Reverend Paul's car after Mass he always gives us a ride to and fro since Mom said Granny is too old to drive and I'm still taking driving lessons. I wonder why she won't just get us a driver. I think it really sucks for the Reverend because he will still go back to the church after dropping us home but he never complains so no big deal.
" Joey, how are you coping as a freshman  in senior high?"
Father Paul asks me while he was driving us home.
" Fine, I'm trying my best to keep my grades up". I reply, hoping he doesn't ask any more questions. I always sit beside him in front while Granny sat at the back so I turn on the car radio and a hymn sang by a bunch of kids started playing;

Sowing in the morning
Sowing seeds of kindness
Sowing in the noon time

My phone chimed, I looked at the screen, I just got a message from Maxine, my best friend.

Max
Austin and I broke up.

My eyes widened at the message, I mentally danced but immediately regretted it because Max is my best friend and I'm supposed to be sad for her Maxine and Austin were like the best couple at Steve Austin Academy. But, you can't blame me, I have an unending crush on Austin Black. He is insanely hot, Tall, muscular with abs, brown hair with blue eyes he was on the lacrosse team. Austin could pass as any girl's man candy. He has been my crush since fourth grade. I remember when I first met him, Mom was invited for a party at their house and she took me along with her. She is their family lawyer. He walked up to me and asked me to dance with him.
I was very excited and agreed but his very annoying cousin Hunter Black who I met earlier kept teasing me, he has always been a big jerk since I've known him I'm glad he hasn't shown up at school since school resumed.
Maxine knew about my crush on Austin but when they started dating last year's summer she just turned to me and said. " I remember when you still had a silly crush on Austin, when we were kids"
I was fuming mentally, like when the fuck did I tell her I was over my crush on him but I just forced a chuckle and said. " Yeah, those times."
I was really pained on the inside. I think she felt guilty about what she did because she played Cupid for Tobias Creamer, the captain of the swim team and I, she made sure we dated but I broke up with him during summer vacation because he is a grade one asshole.
We all grew up together in Greenville.
Maxine Miller, Austin Black, Hunter Black, Andy King (Hunter's best friend), Cody McCoy (the mayor's son)
Persephone Royce ( head of the cheerleading squad) and I.
I groaned when I realise I had a shit ton of assignments and tomorrow is Monday.