New Believers Of God

CHAPTER NINETEEN

School let out for winter break the Friday before Christmas. Later that same day, a festival was held in the neighboring town of Sewickley, better known as a light up night.

Me and the guys met up there that evening, just as the sun was about to set. Even after dark, Sewickley was a relatively safe town for kids our age to be in. It was mostly occupied by a small village of shops, each of which had set out candy canes or plates of cookies on this occasion. In addition, there was a whole variety of holiday themed events, including an ice sculpting contest, a craft show at the library, a reindeer exhibit, live music, and fireworks at the very end. Not to mention, as the name implied, lights were covering nearly every tree and lamppost.

After stuffing ourselves with the cookies and candy, we were still pretty hungry. With that in mind, we stopped at the coffee shop for a few cups of hot chocolate, then the pizza parlor for a few hot slices. Much like we would during lunch at school, we talked amongst ourselves as we ate.

"So," said Ethan "What do y'all want for Christmas?"

"Black Ops II." Victor answered.

"A pair of Beats." Shane answered.

"A Malkin jersey." Daryl answered.

"An iPad." I answered.

Moving along, we continued browsing through the events, checking out the craft show, which was nothing more than making ornaments out of paper towel rolls, then the ice sculpting contest, which was admittedly better. I for one found it quite impressive as the frozen blocks were shaved down into characters, such as snowmen or nutcrackers, sending snow flying all around in the process. By the time they were done, they looked almost like glass statues that could have been bought at a store.

Following that, we took turns petting the reindeer and spent some time listening to the music, while also stopping at more of the shops for their free refreshments, until eventually ending up near the local church. A United Methodist church to be exact.

It was big, much bigger than St. Philip's or St. Margaret Mary's. It had to be at least twice the size of those. Plus, as if that wasn't enough, there was a large clock tower on top. Certainly a wonderous sight to see.

"Well," I told the guys "What do you say? Should we go in?"

Upon entering, we were once again met with more cookies on a table. Each taking one, we walked further inside to the sanctuary, which as we expected was completely empty. Still though, I found it neat being able to see what it looked like. As for the others, I don't think they cared as much.

"Let's go." said Ethan "This is lame."

Just then however, I remembered something, and keeping it in mind knelt down at one of the pews.

"What are you doing?" Shane asked me.

"You're supposed to make three wishes your first time in a church." I answered.

Dumbfounded, he stood in silence for a couple of seconds, trying to understand what I was saying, but ultimately failing.

"Are you for real?"

"What? You've never heard of that?"

"No. I haven't."

It turned out what I had said before was true. How they don't take this stuff seriously. I couldn't say I was too surprised by that point, especially with somebody like Shane, who found it uncool to do such a thing, or Ethan, who wouldn't believe anything without an explanation. With all fairness though, I used to be the same way.

As I was kneeling, we began to hear the loud explosions of fireworks.

"Come on." said Shane "Let's leave Cole to make his wishes."

Together, he, Ethan, and Daryl walked back outside. Victor on the other hand, in a surprise move, didn't.

"I'll stay with you." he told me, kneeling down himself.

"Really?" Ethan asked him "You too?"

"Yeah." he answered, "That's right."

Ever since Laurelville, Victor's attitude had entirely changed. The angry, rebellious person he had been before was gone, and nobody but me knew why that was.

"Whatever." said Shane.

Now alone, the two of us knelt beside one another, each making our own separate wishes.

For my first, I wished to receive the iPad I wanted.

For my second, I wished to have a great next year.

For my third, I wished to further build my relationship with God.