7 Days {edited}

Twelve

After talking with Blake, I decided to go swimming. Might as well take advantage of the pool while it's open.

When I got to the room to put on my swimsuit, I was surprised to see that none of my roommates were there. "Hmm," I said to myself. They must all be out doing something. I couldn't help feeling left out. But then I remembered it was me who'd left them to talk to Blake. This was partly my fault.

Oh well. I put on my black tankini (no bikinis allowed at this camp) and flip-flops, then rubbed sunscreen all over my face and shoulders.

It was a lonely walk to the pool, but the weather was nice. The sun was shining, not a cloud in the sky. It would be a good day to get a tan.

As I walked, I couldn't help admiring the scenery and wondering if maybe God really did create the earth. All these trees and flowers and perfect skies...they were so lovely. Surely they weren't put here by chance. Right?

I stopped in my tracks and looked at everything around me, trying to bring myself to a conclusion.

No, I finally decided, this was definitely not God's doing. How could someone create all this beauty in just seven days? And in such random order, too! Maybe some things about evolution were a little fishy, but it was nothing compared to the amount of faith it took to believe this creation garbage!

I groaned and continued on my way.

When I got to the pool, I noticed that a girl from my team was there. She was sitting on a lounge chair, reading a book. As I got closer, I realized that it was Amber. And the book she was reading was the Bible. I scoffed to myself and turned away.

But before I could get more than two steps away, Amber called out to me. "Hey! Rain, isn't it?"

Crap. I turned around slowly and looked at the small, brown-haired girl. Wasn't she the shy one? Why was she suddenly so friendly?

"Hi, and yeah, that's me," I said. It was probably a good idea to at least try and be nice. After all, we were teammates.

"Do you want to sit with me?"

"Uh...sure." I sat down beside her on a lounge chair. "What's up?"

"Just reading," she replied. "I'm studying up on the book of Romans."

"Nice," I said casually.

"How do you like camp so far?"

Of course, the question of the day. "It's fun," I said. Even with the confusing sermons, difficult games, and religious people, it was still enjoyable. At least a little bit.

"That's good." She looked down at her book, then back up at me with a smile on her face. "Oh, I love this verse! 'Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.' Romans 12:2."

I thought about it, trying to replay the words in my mind. Don't be like the people in this world... Be transformed... "What does it mean?" I asked.

"Well, obviously, there is sin in the world. It's everywhere. But this passage is saying to turn from it and do your best to not give in to your sinful desires, as other worldly people do. To be transformed with a pure mind," Amber explained.

"Oh," I said, as if I understood. And I did, a little bit. But it didn't help to answer the other questions swimming around in my mind.

Meanwhile, Amber had went back to reading. I let her read while I laid back and put my sunglasses on. But before I could relax for even five minutes, Amber interrupted my relaxation with more Jesus talk.

"I like this one too! 'Do not repay evil with evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.'"

Oh, sure. If people wanted to do what's right, they wouldn't judge me based on my mother's sexuality. I never even did anything to those people, yet they accused me of being a lesbian just because my mom was. 'Cause that's the right thing to do.

I waited for her to continue, but she didn't, so I left her to read. "I'm gonna get in the pool, if you don't mind," I said whilst getting up.

"Yeah, go-"

Her words were drowned out by the sound of splashing as I cannonballed into the pool. The water was a safe zone. Here, I could just be myself and no one could criticize me, or tell me how wrong I was, or throw Bible verses in my face.

I held my breath and dove underwater, letting the chlorine envelop me in a cool embrace. To get away for just an hour would be paradise.