A Boy Named Jasper {Wattpad Featured Novel}

<Callie> A Girl Who's Going to Save Him

Chapter 22

<Callie Stevens>

"Can I ask you something, Jasper?" I say quietly, looking at his calm profile.

It's a warm, October Saturday night and we're parked in my driveway, carrying on our post-date tradition of talking and making my parents squirm from behind the drawn shades. He nods and turns to face me with a soft smile. I draw in a deep breath and try to find the right words.

Just do it, Callie.

"I'd really like it if you came to church with me on Sunday." I squeeze my eyes shut, biting my lip as I wait for his response.

"Callie, please open your eyes." Jasper replies in an indifferent voice.

I do and then stare at my lap instead of meeting his gaze.

"Don't act so ashamed of asking me; I'm not judging you."

I look up and tilt my head in a questioning manner.

"So, do you wanna come?" I ask again, hoping he'll answer in the affirmative.

"Listen, Callie, it's just..." Jasper begins awkwardly, rubbing his neck as I've noticed he's accustomed to do.

I wait with baited breath for him to continue on.

"What's wrong?" I exhale, taking his hand in mine.

"I don't know how to explain this to you without offending you."

"I want to know, Jasper, I'm not going to be offended."

"I can't believe in God." He admits solemnly and gauges my reaction. "I can't believe in a God that would let my brother be run over by a train, I can't believe in a God that would let my mother and I get abused by my father every single day. I'm sorry, but I've seen too much evil in my life to believe that a good God would allow all of this to happen."

I bite my lip and try to think of the right things to say to him, the right words to make him change his mind.

Dear God, please speak through me, please help me to bring Jasper back to you. Amen.

"Jasper, I know you've been put through so much and I know it's unfair." I exhale slowly, allowing the words to flow through me. "But, God loves you, more than anything in the world."

"He has a funny way of showing it." Jasper mumbles, his eyes focused on the steering wheel.

"I don't have the right words to explain this to you and I'm not going to pretend that I do, Jasper." I blurt out, surprising him. "But I know what God can do in people's lives; he saves you and makes you a new person. I promise you, as bad as things seem right now, they'll be even worse if you turn away."

"Callie, I just can't wrap my head around God being good if he allows his people to be abused and tortured."

"I don't understand why some things happen the way they do, but I know that God loves you and he'll always be there for you, no matter what you do. He has a plan and it goes way beyond this place." I say, praying the words don't sound hollow and empty in his ears.

"Callie, I've been told that a million times, but it's not going to make me believe it." Jasper sighs and meets my gaze. "I'm sorry."

"I can prove it," I reply with determination. "Let me tell you a story about..."

"Your friend Jesus Christ?" He asks, his tone implying that he's heard this all before.

"About a man who willingly gave his life to save the ones he loved most." I continue on as if he'd never interrupted me.