Who You Say I Am (A Jai Courtney Fanfic)

Chapter 107-Jai

Hillsong—'Who You Say I Am'

Jai

As I make the drive home, I still can't believe how amazing I feel.  I'm in utter disbelief at how straightforward that actually was.  Megan was right.  I just had to believe—that's all.  I thought it'd be more complicated than that but it really was simple.  And now I know...  I just can't fathom how the supposed Creator the universe cares so much for me.  Who am I?  I can feel it though, a physical confirmation that this is real.  I feel like he's telling me that I'm worth it—that I am who he says I am.  She told me it was just a feeling, like an influence.  It really is. 
On the drive home and I can't help but call my mum.  I explain what happened and she's kind of in awe and disbelief, too.  She tells me maybe she ought to go, too.  And I tell her she should. 
"So, you're leaving soon, though?" she asks. 
"I need to see her, mum," I reply. 
"Alright, but come back soon, love," she tells me. 
"I will, mum," I say. 
I hang up and I can't believe she knew I was going after Megan.  Everyone kind of knows... and that's okay.  I honestly want to declare to the world everything that's happened.  I feel like I can't keep this bottled up inside anymore. 
I step in my front door almost shaking in excitement and anticipation.  I search for flights.  There's only one leaving tonight and I've got to get going or I'll have to leave in the morning.  I set up the flight and luckily there's one seat left.  I book it and call a cab.  I pack a small bag and leave a note for the cleaning lady to either take the food in the fridge or toss it in with the rubbish.  I have no idea how long I'll be gone.  I hear a car horn and I lock up, heading out. 
I climb in and I can't help but bounce my leg in anticipation.  I'll be seeing her at about this time tomorrow... her time, though—today, I think.  I'm not looking forward to the jet lag but I'll have her.  At least I hope so...
The cabbie drops me off at the airport.  I check in and cross the terminal with my sunnies on.  I sit down and wait for the boarding to start.  I look back on today and I'm in complete disbelief and almost shock.  I feel the best I've ever felt, and the most hopeful.  It feels like a weight has been lifted from my chest.  I sigh and get out the Bible to read while I wait.  I open the book and notice a bookmark has shifted.  I turn it to that page—the notes in the back—and I see some writing. 

Happy reading and I hope to see you soon, brother.

Love,
Mikey

I frown.  It's like everyone really knew... or at least they were hoping, or maybe praying for me or us... or possibly both.  I'm truly touched and grateful to have that kind of support. 
The flight starts boarding early and I walk over to the line.  I get seated and the stewardess takes my bag.  I keep the Bible with me though.  I buckle in and decide to read a bit.  I choose to finish Acts.  I was thinking of asking Noah about what happened in the beginning, since that's where I stopped but I know now that it's true.  I feel like he's right—this book contains truths.  I read all about Acts until tea is served.  I put it away and eat a little since I know this'll be my only chance for some time.  I finish with as much as I can eat and I feel exhausted, so I sleep.  I dream of Megan. 
I wake a few times on the long flight but we arrive early morning in LA.  I've got several hours to kill so I go home.  I pack my baggage for the cold north and check the weather as I do so just to be sure—snow tonight, warmer in the week.  Maybe that's typical.  I see that high winds are predicted and I sigh packing clothes for every situation.  I decide to pack a few nice things—I just have a feeling.  I assume they'll be for church or something.  I gather my bags together and order something healthy to eat.  I've still got some time.  My only choices for transfer flights was to leave about time of my arrival here—which was chancy.  I'm glad I didn't take that because we were actually half an hour late arriving so I would've missed it anyway.  The other flights weren't direct and would've taken forever so I got a private plane that'll arrive here in the afternoon and I'll get there just before tea. 
I think about taking a nap but I am a bit worried I'll oversleep.  I feel like it'll be alright, though.  I set my alarm and my phone to go off consecutively with plenty of time to shower and get there.  It's a private plane so they'll leave at my leisure, I just have to wait for them to arrive.  So, I change and collapse onto my bed.  I wake with both alarms blaring.  Shoot.  I overslept, but not by that much.  I take a quick shower and dress.  I hear the horn blare from the cabbie and I grab my baggage and lock up.  He assists me in loading them into the boot and we're off to the airport.  I arrive a bit early and wait in a private lounge room until boarding.  I scroll through my phone whilst I wait.  I notice some other celebrities enter the lounge.  They're wearing sunnies too and I grin at how we all just want that bit of quiet and privacy.  I look up to the monitor and see that my aeroplane just arrived.  I give it several minutes before I go to the boarding reception.  I'm greeted and told it'll just be a few minutes.  I sit down and wait.  I see one of my previous co-stars walk out from the hallway leading to the plane.  He looks irate so I leave him be.  I know last time I left, that's exactly how I felt.  But this time is different.  A thought occurs to me... that he doesn't have what I do, at least I don't think he does.  So, I ask God to comfort him and help him to feel how I feel. 
After a couple minutes, I'm told the plane is ready for boarding but it'll be a few more before takeoff.  Once I'm seated, I look up some things about him.  I see he's a member of another religion and it's even stated on Wiki that it's a cult.  I honestly don't know much about that but I look into it and see that he and his most recent wife split because of it.  And I remember he has a kid with her.  I ask the stewardess where they just came from and she tells me the same airport I'm going to.  He was probably visiting them... or maybe trying to since Megan said she was originally from there.  I read a bit more and see that his religion ostracizes those who leave and it even says that he hasn't seen his kid in years. 
I sit back and sigh.  That's messed up.  I want to pray more for him but I honestly don't know what to say to that.  I feel like God understands and he's got this. 
We take off and I'm served some decent tucker.  I nap a bit more and then I'm awake for the last bit of the flight.  I debate on what to read next but I start with the beginning—Genesis.  At first it feels like John, but then this is more about the start of all things and not Jesus.  I read on about the creation of the universe and then the details of the world... and I believe this is true.  I can feel that it is.  I get to the creation of man and a part sticks out to me.

"Then God said, "Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness..."

And I recall John.  He was with God in the beginning... and I understand.  I'm actually shocked how much I understand.  I feel as if a gateway has been opened in my mind and my heart for reading this.  And any other questions I have can usually be answered in the study guide underneath.  Beyond that, I feel like I have Mikey and Noah... and hopefully Megan.  I look to the time and see that we should be arriving any minute, then I hear the announcement and I pack the Bible away. As soon as we're on the ground, I'm helped out with my baggage. A transport is waiting for me already. I realize it's my same 4WD as before, the same bloke. He smiles at me and shakes my hand. He takes me to the rental agency and I sign the paperwork... and also his book. I notice the signature before mine and it matches up with what I suspected. I flip the page and hers is there as well.
"You know, if she's trying to hide from him, this may not be the best to show him," I tell the bloke.
"That's why I flipped the page. He's always in a hurry and never the friendliest. He didn't even look," he tells me.
I smile and thank him for everything before I'm on my way. I look up the local stations and change one of my presets before I'm on my way to see her. My heart is racing in anticipation as I drive the back roads. It's cold and windy and then the snow starts. It's just flurries as she calls them but I'm still not accustomed to it. At least the roads are clear. I see those saline lines she'd mentioned.  Then they're gone after a minute and I realize the road is getting wet. I arrive at her house and pull in the driveway. Her car is gone but I see Mikey's and her dad's. I'm assuming her mum is here since she gets the garage and Nick's is blocking the way.
I climb out and knock on the door. Mikey answers it and laughs in surprise before taking me in a bone crushing hug. He yanks me inside still laughing.
"It's good to see you. What's going on?" he asks smiling.
"I'm looking for her. Where is she?" I inquire.
"I don't know. She was gone when I got here," he says. "Mom?!" he shouts.
"What's wrong, Mikey?" Hannah asks stepping through the walkway to the living room in an apron.
"Jai," she whispers. She rushes over and hugs me, too. "She's not here. She's at the church. I'm not sure what she's doing. She left with some odd things."
"Which church?" I ask.
"Riverview, I would think. But I didn't ask," she replies.
"She's down the street," Mikey says looking on his phone.
"How would you know?" Hannah asks him confused. He shows her his phone and they have a tracking app on each of their phones. "I didn't know that existed. You have me and your father on here, too?"
"We all do. It's part of the package," he explains. "You can opt out if you want," he shrugs.
"Well, anyway..." she says shaking her head. "She told me she'd be home in a couple hours but it's been four or more since I've seen her."
"You think she's alright?" I ask concerned.
"I'm sure she's fine. What'd she take?" Mikey asks calmly.
"The big cooler and a mallet. I saw a screwdriver, too..." she says trailing off. "She was wearing junk clothes."
"So she's probably cleaning, or repairing something, or working with the fridge," he lists off.
"The freezer was frozen over solid," Hannah says. "Knowing her, she's probably defrosting it."
"Problem solved," Mikey smiles. "You better go get her and tell her dinner's almost ready," he grins at me.
I laugh and nod. "Alright," I smile back.
Mikey hugs me again and insists that I better not disappear again. I chuckle and promise to come back before I head out. I open the door and notice that the snow is starting to cover the garden but not the cars or the bitumen. The footpath is clear, too. I drive off in search of her making the couple turns and driving on the bush roads. I pull into the church car park and actually see her take the first spot. She's always taking the furthest during service so I know it's just her. I step out and approach the door but it's locked. I peek inside the glass window with my hand cupped around my eyes blocking the reflection of the snow and light.  I see all of the lights are off except the kitchen. I her carry bag is visible sitting on the chair where she usually sits on Sundays. I remember that I know the code and I feel like it's okay. I flip the code that's quite obvious and I really think they should change it. I pull the latch and it opens. I grab the key out and insert it into the deadbolt. I hear the lock click open when I turn it. I open the door and replace the key. I can hear her singing from here and my heart clenches at the sound.  I shut the door softly and step in in a daze. This moment feels surreal. God, I've missed her so much. I continue to hear her angelic voice and I follow the sound of it. I step into the area between the kitchen and bathrooms and I can see her there. She looks so beautiful. She washes her hands at the sink and pauses, staring at her phone on the bench as the song changes.
"I don't have that on my playlist," she mumbles confused... and then she begins to cry. She wipes her eyes, sniffling and turns around. She sees me and gasps. "Jai?" she asks me in disbelief.