A New Day (Under Construction/On Hold)

Chapter 1

Rush rush rush, can't be late, can't be late. That's all I can think right now, since I need to meet with my youth group in 20 minutes in order to drive to the Youth Rally tonight. I really hate being late. It's so unprofessional and it makes me feel like I've failed at life once again. 15 minutes until I need to be there and I'm still curling my hair. Great. What happened to make me this late? Oh yeah, I worked today. I'm going to be a junior in high school in almost a month, so having a job and a license is an enormous blessing. 13 minutes, hurry it up! Sometimes being a girl with long hair sucks, but I love my hair, so I'm not really complaining... Am I?

"Avari, we need to leave! What are you doing up there?" Belted Caleb, my younger brother, from downstairs. "I don't wanna be late!"
"I'm almost done, this is the last curl. Be patient!" I replied. He's always rushing me, everyone is. It really gets on my nerves.
"I have been patient for an hour! You take WAY too long doing your hair."
"Yeah, well how 'bout you try having long, thick hair and see how long it takes you to get it ready," I said as I finished spraying the springy spirals of hair. I slipped my shoes on, grabbed my purse, and was ready to go. "Alright punk, are ya ready?"
"Yeah, let's go," he said in an irritated tone. He gets pretty sassy sometimes. I guess I can't blame him though, since my whole family is that way. Caleb is especially sassy when it comes to waiting for things he likes, and he definitely likes Youth Rallies.

I'm glad that our church is only 5 minutes away from our house right now, because otherwise I would have to drive us all the way to the campgrounds, which is 45 minutes away and an absolute pain to travel to. I definitely prefer riding in the church van so I don't have to drive. "Wanna listen to some music bub?"
"Sure. Put on some IBC!" He suggested. I wasn't surprised to hear him say that since Indiana Bible College, also known as IBC, is his favorite group to listen to. I enjoy IBC as well, so I started the playlist with one of my favorite songs, the only one we'd get to listen to before we got to the church.

"There are people, they're desperate, in need of Your love. They are crying, hurting, in need of Your touch. We will rise as one and tell this generation, 'We are free, we've won.' We will go."

I love this song, but I can't help but let my mind wander a bit. I wonder, who all will be there? Will I meet someone new? What songs will they sing? How long will service be? Are they going to serve food afterword? Something interrupts my thoughts.
"Huh?"
"Avari, slow down, you have to turn here. SLOW DOWN!"
I remember where I am and quickly slow the car down so I can make the turn. Thank God that kid was paying attention, it is literally a miracle. There it is, Firm Foundation Church. Whew! We made it just in time, the group is just now beginning to pile into the church van. I press down on the electric window operation button and scream to my friends out of the newly formed gap in the door. "Hey everybody!" The part of the group that hadn't climbed into the soon-to-be-crowded church van heard me and waved excitedly. Our youth group loves going to special youth functions like this one, so naturally they're pumped for everything. Tonight is the section 5 Youth Rally I think, but I could be wrong. We haven't had an Indiana State Rally, in a while, so who knows? I could ask Bro. Matthews, my youth pastor, but I want to be surprised.

* * * * *

The van ride was like any other van ride with my Youth Group- wild , fun, and strange. Nevertheless, I'm ready to be out of that van. It became pretty hot after about ten minutes, and the high density of people in the van didn't help with that either. I can feel the restlessness building up in the members of the youth group, and I know that one in particular is going to--

"Hurry up, guys! I want out!" Josh declared loudly, interrupting my thoughts. Josh is the resident loud mouth of our youth group. He's a nice guy and all, but he's typically very loud and very bossy. I step out of the van and am immediately greeted with more warm air and a nice, light breeze. I walk a few steps forward and let the wind blow in my face. I don't really care if it might mess up my hair, that's not important right now. I need the calming, soothing breeze. Thud. Huh? I lost my balance for a bit, and then I open my eyes and notice that I had just bumped into a car. Savannah, Josiah, Josh, and Emily all laugh.