Deliverance (Fem x Stem)

8

Teyanne Sully

My mother was by the Bible study rooms, talking to another church member animatedly about the window that got broken during the storm. Lilliana hung back slightly behind me as we approached, looking around everywhere curiously. I couldn't blame her. In the years that I had been gone, my mother and grandmother really had outdone themselves making this place as grand yet homey as Christiano's residents.

"Teyanne Sully," someone snapped.

I looked around until I could find the voice. Ahh, my grandmother. Grand in her presence, small in her height. Her lips were stained burgundy today, and her hair was in an elaborate updo with an outfit that matched her lip color. She looked like the much older version of Mom, but she was far more built than her. I have to give it to you- grandma had curves. Like, be careful while you drive curves, fam.

"Hey Grandma," I smiled sweetly, leaning in to hug her. She entertained a hug from me in public, but grumbled near shoulder. "Who is this you brought here?" she asked, openly eyeing Lilliana.

"This is my friend Lilliana. Mom invited her to come and check out the church. She also helped with some of the repairs yesterday." I supplied.

"With who's group," my grandmother peered down at Lilliana, as if I had lied to her.

"Mariah's group," Lilliana answered, shuffling a bit under my grandmother's gaze. "Hmph." Grandma turned her attention away from Lilliana and studied her painted nails, also the color of her outfit. "Has your mother talked to you about your duties yet?"

"My duties?" I asked.

A couple and their kid attempted to pass by. I laid my hand on the small of Lilliana's back and guided her against the wall, giving us additional privacy as well. Grandma stood on the other side of the walkway, not taking the hint.

"Your mother," Grandma shook her head, "Boy I'll tell ya." I waited for Grandma to tell me the news.

"She wants you to start leading the teen Bible study and stepping in to the teen ministries' room. She wants you to become a better face for our young population, and lead them in the right direction towards Christ." I hadn't even said a word yet but Grandma's eyes narrowed. "I hope you haven't lost your mind at college, Teyanne. You will remain a member of this church and a good role model. You represent the Sully-Christiano name."

Lilliana's demeanor changed besides me. I had forgotten that she was listening in. She turned to me, eyes filled with something I couldn't decipher. "Your family...they started this church?" she asked me in a surprised tone. "That means..." her eyebrows furrowed, "They founded this town and...the college."

I gulped.

Well there goes all her trust in me. She'd probably use me to get her way around town, and the bad thing is- I'd probably let her. I peeked over at Lilliana, but she didn't have the same hungry expression other girls usually did when they learned that information about me...or rather, already knew it.

"That's f- freaking cool," she smirked at me.

"Our family didn't help settle anything. A marriage alliance was formed with someone within our family that was a good representative of the church and someone from the founder's family. That's why the school has recognized us as officially affiliated with them."