Church Boy ♱ nh

Chapter 5

Niall woke on Monday morning with the intention of going to school, so he was surprised when he opened his bedroom door to find his father waiting behind it. Niall took a step back and stared at his father, remaining silent.

"You will not be attending school this week," Father Horan said, "I'm sending you away, instead." Niall's eyebrows furrowed together. What? As if his father could read his mind, he then said, "Last night, after you rudely stormed off, I got in contact with the manager at the Bible Boot Camp in Austin. We were able to make some arrangements and you've been accepted into the camp. It starts this evening, so you're going. You'll be taking a bus down there, along with other kids that seem to be confused about their place with God. You're boarding the bus at nine o'clock this morning and it'll be a direct drive down there. You'll be on the road all day. Pack your bags. You've got an hour."

"What?!" Niall shrieked, "Father..."

"Don't," Father Horan hissed, holding a finger up to silence his son. "Listen to me. I'm your father. You're going to this camp. You need this. You need to be whipped back into shape, and this is the fastest way." He spun around and said over his shoulder, "Don't forget to pack your Bible."

Niall felt like his heart had been ripped from his chest. He didn't want to go to Texas. And he certainly didn't want to go for some dumb Bible Boot Camp. Plus, he'd heard horrible stories from kids that had attended the camp in the past. It wasn't a pleasant experience. It was outrageously hot, all the time, and all the kids were forced to sleep on uncomfortable cots in a run-down building with lights that flickered and bathrooms that reeked of urine. The meals were weak and thin, as the main goal was not for the attendees to enjoy themselves, but rather get a slap of reality. The week-long camp consisted of hours upon hours of intense Bible study, matched with military-style workouts that were designed to teach discipline in the name of God. All of the kids were to be awake and out of bed at six AM sharp, and in bed no later than nine o'clock.

Niall knew it wasn't the right place for him. He didn't need to be 'whipped back into shape,' as his father had put it. He was a perfectly normal teenage boy with dreams of his own. Niall packed his bags, alright, but with other intentions in mind. He wasn't going to this camp. No way.

He slung a backpack over his shoulder, and also carried a duffel bag. He sauntered down the stairs, spotting his father at the table with a cup of coffee. "Everyone's meeting at the BP gas station on Pillard Avenue," Father Horan said, glancing at his son. Niall nodded his head once and reached out to grasp the doorknob. "I wish I didn't have to do this to you, Niall," His father mumbled, "I really do."

That's the last thing Niall heard before he forcefully shut the door after him. He walked to the end of the block, because he knew his father would be watching him, before he doubled around the block and scurried through the alley behind his house. He set his duffel bag down and pounded on Winter's back door, praying she hadn't yet left for school.

Niall swallowed the lump in his throat when the door opened and instead of Winter, her mother stood behind it. "Niall!" She gasped, "What's... where ya goin'?" She glanced down at his bags.

"Ms. Conaway," Niall began, "I have a huge favor to ask of you."

∾

"We don't have a spare bedroom," Winter said as she tread up the stairs, with Niall following behind her. "But..." She pushed her bedroom door open, "You can sleep in here with me. Just put your sleeping bag on the floor by my bed, okay?" Niall nodded and set his bags down.

"Thank you so much," He breathed, "I wouldn't survive a second at that camp."

Winter smiled sweetly at Niall. "It's no problem at all," She said, "I think we can have some fun, you and I." He had no idea why, but Niall had to fight off a blush at her words.