Between Faith and Love

worried

The next morning, sunlight streamed softly through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. March stirred awake, blinking against the brightness, and as her eyes adjusted, she caught sight of Zephaniah sitting beside her, a radiant smile on her face.

“Good morning, sleepyhead,” Zephaniah said, her voice light and teasing. “How was your sleep?”

March felt a wave of warmth wash over her at the sight of Zephaniah’s smile, a mix of comfort and something deeper swirling inside her. “It was good,” she replied, her voice still a bit groggy. “I didn’t think I’d actually fall asleep.”

Zephaniah chuckled softly, the sound filling the room with an easy warmth. “I guess my bed is just too cozy to resist,” she said, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

March sat up a little more, rubbing her eyes. “Yeah, it really is,” she admitted, feeling the remnants of the hug from the night before linger in her memory.

Zephaniah leaned in closer, her expression bright. “I’m glad you stayed over. It’s nice having you here,” she said, her sincerity evident in her gaze.

March smiled back, her heart fluttering at the warmth of Zephaniah’s words. “I’m glad I came too. Last night was really fun.”

Zephaniah grinned, her eyes sparkling. “We should do it more often! Maybe we can have movie marathons or something.”

“Definitely,” March replied, feeling a swell of happiness at the thought of spending more time together.

The two of them chatted comfortably, the easy banter flowing naturally, and as they talked, March couldn’t shake the feeling that their friendship was evolving into something even more special. The possibilities ahead felt exciting, and she couldn’t help but look forward to what the future might hold for them both.

March and Zephaniah headed downstairs, the delicious aroma of breakfast wafting through the air. As they entered the kitchen, they were greeted by the sight of a hearty spread laid out on the table—pancakes, fresh fruit, and steaming cups of coffee and juice.

“Good morning, you two!” Zephaniah’s mom called cheerfully from the stove, where she was flipping pancakes. “Hope you both slept well!”

“Good morning!” Zephaniah and March chimed back, taking their seats across from each other at the table.

As they dug into their breakfast, Zephaniah’s parents engaged them in light conversation, asking about school, favorite subjects, and their plans for the weekend. March felt comfortable in their presence, enjoying the familial warmth that surrounded her.

In between bites of fluffy pancakes, Zephaniah’s mom turned to them with an inviting smile. “So, since you both have the day off from classes, we were thinking about joining the church community service today. We’re going to prepare and distribute food for the homeless. Would you like to come with us?”

March glanced at Zephaniah, who met her gaze with a bright smile, clearly enthusiastic about the idea. “That sounds great! What do you think?” Zephaniah asked her.

“Yeah, I’d love to,” March replied, feeling a sense of purpose at the thought of helping others. The opportunity to bond with Zephaniah while doing something meaningful excited her.

“Wonderful! We’ll leave right after breakfast,” Zephaniah’s mom said, beaming.

They finished their meals, chatting excitedly about what the day might entail. As March helped Zephaniah clear the table, she felt grateful for this unexpected adventure, realizing that it was yet another opportunity to spend time with Zephaniah while giving back to the community. It felt like the perfect blend of friendship and purpose.

Once they arrived at the community center, the atmosphere buzzed with activity as volunteers prepared food for distribution. March and Zephaniah quickly joined in, chopping vegetables, packing bags, and assembling sandwiches. They worked side by side, stealing glances at each other, their smiles easily exchanged in the midst of the hustle, exchanging small smiles and playful banter, but they couldn’t help stealing glances at each other, their connection palpable.

Zephaniah's mother, watching from a distance, felt a twinge of disappointment. She recognized the chemistry between the two girls but worried about the implications. While she wanted Zephaniah to have friends, she also hoped for her to engage more with the church community in a traditional sense. Although she remained silent, her gaze lingered on them, a mix of concern and hope in her eyes.

Just then, Caleb, a charming guy who was actively involved in the church, approached Lila with an easy grin. “Hey, Zephaniah! You’re looking great today,” he said, leaning casually against the counter.

March felt an immediate rush of irritation at the sight of him. She tried to remain indifferent, but her heart raced as she watched them. It was hard to ignore how effortlessly Caleb captured Zephaniah’s attention.

“Thanks, Caleb!” Zephaniah replied, her smile brightening. “Just here to help out!”

Caleb glanced over at March and then back to Zephaniah. “You doing okay? You seem a little… distracted,” he asked, a hint of concern in his voice.

March tried to mask her annoyance. “I’m fine,” she interjected, forcing a smile that felt strained. “Just… busy helping,” she added, trying to keep her voice steady, though she could feel the tension rising.

Feeling increasingly uncomfortable, March decided she needed to remove herself from the situation. “I’m going to go see if they need help with the packaging over there,” she said, avoiding eye contact as she walked away.

As she moved to another part of the kitchen, she focused on organizing supplies, desperately trying to shake off the jealousy that tightened her chest. Why did it bother her so much? It was ridiculous; they were just friends. Yet, the sight of Zephaniah laughing with Caleb stirred feelings she couldn’t quite understand, leaving her feeling unsettled as she busied herself with the task at hand.

A few minutes later, Zephaniah felt a flutter of concern for March. She glanced over at her, who was still organizing supplies with a slightly furrowed brow. Gathering her thoughts, Zephaniah decided to check in on her friend, wanting to make sure everything was okay.

As she approached, March was startled by Zephaniah's sudden presence. “Oh, hey!” she said, forcing a casual tone as she looked up from the boxes. “I didn’t see you there.”

“Hey, are you alright?” Zephaniah asked gently, her voice laced with genuine concern. “You seemed a bit off back there.”

March quickly masked her emotions, putting on a nonchalant facade. “I’m fine,” she replied, shrugging her shoulders. “Just wanted to help out, you know?”

Zephaniah studied March’s face, searching for any signs of what she had felt moments before. “It’s just… Caleb and I are friends. He’s really just a nice guy, nothing more,” she explained, trying to ease any worry March might be feeling.

March pretended to be startled by the mention of Caleb. “Oh, I didn’t think anything of it,” she said, forcing a light laugh. “It’s not like I’m sad or anything. I just figured I’d help out more over here,” she added, her voice lacking the usual enthusiasm.

“Are you sure?” Zephaniah asked, her gaze searching March’s face for honesty. “You can talk to me, you know.”

“Really, Zeph. I’m fine,” March insisted, a hint of irritation creeping into her tone as she waved her hands dismissively. “I’m just busy, that’s all. Let’s focus on getting this done.”

Zephaniah nodded, though she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was bothering March. She wanted to push further but respected her friend’s desire for space. “Okay, but if you need anything, just let me know,” she said, offering a reassuring smile before stepping back to join her parents.

As March resumed her work, she felt a mix of relief and frustration. Why was she reacting this way? She didn’t want to feel jealous or insecure, but the emotions were hard to ignore. Shaking her head slightly, she tried to push the thoughts away and focus on the task at hand, even as Zephaniah’s concerned expression lingered in her mind.