RELIGION [H.S.] [A.U.]

four

Hurricane - NEEDTOBREATE (*)

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Ezra ~

"Once again, you did amazing today. Never been more proud." James says as he hugs me tightly.

Although this is far from my first sermon, the reason he's so proud of the one from this morning is because of how I felt after my parents both died. I so badly wanted to blame God because it was easier that way. But he helped me find my way out of that state of mind and now here I am.

"Thank you so much James. You have no idea how much you've done for me." I reply honestly.

When he pulls away I see adoration in his eyes and it almost makes me tear up thinking about how far I've come because of him. The tears won't come though, I haven't cried in over three years.

"I'll see you on Wednesday sweet girl. Take these next two days off, you've earned it." He says while placing a hand on my cheek the way he always does.

I furrow my brows at his suggestion. "Oh no, I don't need a break sir. I can come back, taking days off won't be necessa-," I'm cut off when his index finger on his other hand comes up to point in my face.

He tuts me and shakes his finger back and forth. "That was not a request, it was an order. Please, take a break. Do whatever you'd like for the next two days."

A soft laugh escapes my lips at his words. Because deep down we both know I'll just plan for my next sermon on these upcoming "days off." 

His hand drops from my cheek and I sigh. "Yes sir." I reply.

His eyes roll. "Enough with the 'sir' Ezra. You know that's way too formal for me."

"Well I apologize for having respect for you James." I cockily remark with a smirk.

"Oh hush. Now go, you've got a lunch to attend. I'll see you on Wednesday. Go." He begins to turn me around and gently push me out the door of his office and into the backstage hallway.

"Okay, okay, I'm going." I giggle at his theatrics but listen to him anyway.

Five minutes later I'm getting into my used, black, 2016 Nissan Maxima and sending a quick text to Taylon telling her I'm on my way to the restaurant.

Another five minutes and I'm pulling up outside of Olive Garden. I always love eating here, especially since it's so close to the church.

I let Taylon know I'm here and she immediately replies telling me to tell the front desk that I'm here with Taylon.

I follow her orders when I walk inside and one of the servers guides me to the very back of the restaurant to where I spot my group sitting in a booth. My group which consists of Taylon and Chris on one side, and none other than the beautiful giraffe man himself, Harry, on the other side.

Well I guess that means I'm sitting by him.

Neither one of them spot me until I'm standing right next to the table. "The party has arrived folks." My attempt at a joke gets their attention.

All three heads turn to look up at me and Chris and Taylon immediately beam.

Taylon gets up from her seat and hugs me for the hundredth time today. "Glad you could make it! Here, you get to sit by Harry." She gestures her hand out to the spot next to Harry and I awkwardly nod my head before sliding in next to him.

The leather makes that annoying sound when you rub against it and for some reason it makes me flush because I feel like the whole restaurant could hear it. Although I know that's not the case.