Child of Sin

Chapter 1

Christopher's POV

There was a new girl in town. She and her family had arrived here a few days ago. They were the talk of the town. New people in our town are very... unusual. I had heard the other boys talk about her. She was short, pretty and smelled like the night, if I may believe Joseph. Also, she was different. All the other girls here are exactly the same. The new girl did her own thing. Where the other girl all wore the exact same long hairstyle, she had cut it shorter. Where the other girls all wore ankle-length dresses andskirts, she wore ripped jeans and band t-shirts. Where the other girls were light of skin, she was deeply tanned, as an Asian girl or perhaps a Middle-Eastern girl. I didn't know - I hadn't seen her yet. But that doesn't matter. The point still is, that there was a new girl, and it was a sensational thing.

And, of course, Matt and the new girl had instantly become friends. Matt is the most popular boy in town. Every girl dreams of being his. And even though this means Matt could be with any girl he wants, he still doesn't. Some say he's not interested. Some say he's stupid. He says he wants to live according to the Bible, that he wants to wait until marriage. I believe him. But the friendship between those two is somewhat suspicious, I have to admit. Although the stories may explain a lot. Matt is known as a guy who does as he pleases. If he wants to go somewhere, he goes. If he wants to do something, he does. And if I may believe the stories, the new girl is like that as well. But I will not judge them, for that is God's task, and not mine. And as long as nothing happens, all will be well.

***

Three days. It has been three days since I heard the first stories about Matt and The New Girl and Their Odd Friendship. Maybe it was a good thing. Maybe Matt and the new girl would fall in love. Maybe Matt would be happy. Maybe he would finally find what he'd been looking for his entire life.

The thoughts about Matt and the new girl won't stop crossing my mind. These past few days I have been trying to figure out how people make friends so quickly, so easily. It would always remain a mystery to me.

With a final sigh I shake my head and continue pushing the cart through the supermarket. It's not very crowdy. Most people are outside, enjoying the nice weather. I look down at my list to see what I have to get next. Judging by what my mother wrote on the list, she's making spaghetti tonight. Mom's spaghetti is the best. Actually, mom's food is the best, but that also means her spaghetti, so I can conclude I was right. Walking down the aisle towards the meat section Eleanor Rigby suddenly starts playing, and I grab my phone as fast as I can to answer it. I see a few boys my age stand nearby, laughing and pointing towards me. I suck in a sharp breath before picking up. Why can't I just listen to normal music?

'Yes, it's Chris.'

'Hello Christopher, this is your mother. Are you still at the supermarket?'

'Oh hey mom, yeah I still am. Sorry I'll be back as soon as I can but-' my mothers voice sounds excited while she interrupts me.

'Good, then please get us some extra spaghetti, tomatoes and meat. We have a guest joining us for dinner tonight.'

Before I can ask her who this guest is and where she found this mysterious guest so last minute, my mother already ends the call. I frown. I know my mother is a bit distant, but that's just because of the religion. Since the entire town is protestant, I'm not the only one with slightly distant parents, but the others with distant parents and I are also definitely a minority. However, I must say that my parents are still caring and honest, so it's not as bad as people often seem to think.

After paying and putting the groceries on top of my bicycle, I take it out and slowly make my way home, still thinking about who could possibly be that crazy that they want to eat with us. I mean, my mother's food is delicious, but the conversations and atmosphere are always highly awkward, because my parents keep trying to force me into making friends. The people dining with us will feel awkward and pressured and always have an excuse ready to not dine with us ever again. Since we've already gone through half the villagers and the other half has been thoroughly warned about the dangers of Dining With The Dennings, no one else is left.