I'm Not A Good Girl...

Good Girl

Grace Christiansen was a normal sixteen year old Christian girl. She went to church, and helped out, but she knew something was missing. Every night, after saying her prayers, she would crawl into bed. She grew up in a strong Christian family, who never failed to provide for her; yet every night she went to bed colder and colder. As she tossed on another blanket in the hear of summer, she just continued to get colder. Something was missing. Grace knew it, but she'd never tell; she knew something was different.
After a hard day preparing the church for the service the next day, Grace went up to her room and read a few chapters of a new book she had been reading; it was about a very controversial topic (well, not in her family) sexuality. The main character was a guy who liked another guy, but that guy only liked girls. So, the main character tries to appeal to a transgender nature, but comes to realize that he doesn't need to change in anyway for any man. Grace is only half-way through, so she hasn't quite figured that out yet. Grace rolls back the covers, turns out the lights, and tries to get to sleep before the cold consumes her.
She wakes early the next day so that she can get to the church to teach her class. At sixteen she was teaching a Christian youth class every Sunday. As she puts on her jeans and nice shirt, she hears her mother get up and begin to wake everyone. Joseph and Noah both complain, but get up just the same. Isaiah is not so easily roused. Even though he is only 13, he seems to think that the world revolves around him and his games.
Grace walks down the stairs and joins her family at the table. They join hands and Joseph leads them in saying Grace. After eating her breakfast, Grace leaves her family and goes to ready her topic for the day. After much pondering, she decides that the best thing to do would be to let the teens choose the topic.
She enters the Church and already see her friends. Molly and Elizabeth are sitting peacefully, waiting for the conversation to start. As time rolls by, the little room begins to fill with many teens. When the time came to start her topic, Grace began with a warm welcome,
"Good Morning, Everyone."
"Good Morning, Grace." Everyone replied.
"So, today I had a bit of, writers block I guess, and I wasn't sure what you guys wanted to hear today, so I thought you guys should pick the topic." With that it seemed like the whole room raised its hand. She chuckled and reached into a fishbowl of numbers.
"Row 12, Chair 4" Grace called out.
"Are you okay with discussing Sexuality?" Suzanne Rickard asked.
"Well," Grace chucked nervously, "that was unexpected, but if it is okay with the rest of us..."
The room erupted in a chorus of "sure", "yea", "why not", and nods.
"Alright, I guess my next question be for you to elaborate."
"Well, Becky Harland and Micky Torez were caught kissing and touching behind the corner store and Becky's mom was furious, but Micky's mom and dad were okay with it."
"By Micky, do you mean Michael or Michaela?"
"I meant Michaela."
"Oh, well. Different parenting I guess."
"I also read about how the church is against Homosexuality--" Suzanne started before being cut off by an unfamiliar voice.
"Which, I think is wrong. I mean, I know the whole Adam and Eve not Adam and Steve thing is true, well, I guess I don't because I wasn't there, but doesn't the Bible say that we should accept everyone because we are all his children. And we all sin, so why should Homosexuality be a "bigger" sin than all the rest?"
"Who said that?" Graced asked.
"Um. Sorry, I'm new in town. We just moved onto Cedar Dr. I'm Anna Holland." The girls said.
"Well, I can hear you, but I can't see you in this crowd. Can you stand and tell us a bit about yourself?" Grace asked as she continued to scan the crowd.
"Sure." Anna stood and Grace felt herself get warmer. The cold and emptiness she had felt her whole life seemed to be drifting away. She smiled. Anna was beautiful; Long, wispy blonde hair, bright blue eyes, soft rosy cheeks and to top it off, a beautiful smile.
"Well, go on. Tell us a little about yourself." Grace smiled.
"Okay. Well, I lived in Washington State for the last three years, but before that I lived in Kansas. My mom is a teacher and my dad got a job at the hardware store. I have a little brother, his name is Andrew. I will be attending my Junior year at this highschool if all goes to plan. And... I think that is really it." Anna smiled.
"Okay, well, can you explain what you meant by, 'Homosexuality being a "bigger" sin'?" Grace asked.
"Of course. Well, you see, the church openly hates queers. I know you are saying, 'they hate cheaters too" but the difference is, the cheaters are allowed to repent their sins and even then they still do it. The queers are usually banned from their church after 'coming out'. So I ask, why is Homosexuality a "bigger" sin?" Anna asked confidently.
"I'm being honest here; I'm not sure. I do side with you; We are all God's children and should be treated equally, but others seem to twist things. Others..." Grace stopped, realizing that her family had walked just into the room. Grace licked her upper lip nervously and continued, "Well, sorry Anna. It looks like our time here is up. I would be happy to discuss this with you after the service."
Anna smile, "Sure."
And with that, the teens dispersed and went upstairs to join their families who already were seated for the service today. It was customary for the Pastors family to be seated last. As they walked down the aisle, following her dad, Grace saw that Anna was alone in the back. After her dad said, "Please be seated." She slipped out of the pew and quickly went back to see Anna. Grace hoped it wouldn't be awkward, but being near Anna made her happy. Grace welcomed her and asked her if she would like a ride home.

Anna said yes...

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