Stephanie thought back to the times she’d gone to church services with her parents. She’d been young and rarely knelt when they did.
Small bells echoed and a pungent scent filled the church along with the tones of an organ. A tribe of students stood in rows to the side of the altar, attempting an operatic hymn which echoed through the walls. A procession of students carrying candles and urns walked down the aisle, in front of the priest.
“Check out Jason,” Monica spoke to the girl on the other side to Stephanie. “He’s so hot.”
Stephanie assumed the taller, ridiculously good looking boy bowing at the altar must be Jason. He turned with a half smile and gave a two-finger salute to his friends before retreating to the front row.
When the music ended, the priest moved forward. “In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.”
“Amen.” Stephanie remembered the response she’d said years before.
Again Monica whispered to her friend. “I’ve asked Crystal to hook Jason and me up.”
“No way. He’d never go out with you. He’s never dated anyone in our year.”
“Shh,” Someone hushed from behind, silencing Monica’s conversation.
As the service continued, Stephanie was slow to respond at the right places but found her autopilot when the congregation began the Nicene Creed.
Her eyes were drawn to the tall, broad shouldered boy in the front row, who was sure to be Monica’s crush. He elbowed his neighbour as his shoulders bounced in silent laughter. Monica leaned to her right, pushing Stephanie aside to get a better view. Stephanie shuffled her knees to move out of the way just as Monica jabbed her elbow into Stephanie’s arm.
Note to self, avoid sitting beside this girl EVER again. She walked out of the church, rubbing her arm, thankful the school only held services once a term.
That afternoon Stephanie dumped her school bag on her bed and rang Tabbie. “This place is such a hole.”
“Hey, the way you talk about Toowoomba, I don’t know if I really want to come.”
“You’re coming to see me, not the town. At least you get to leave. I’m stuck here.”
“It’s not forever, Steph, you’re nearly fifteen, maybe boarding school or hey, I’ve just had a great idea. What if you could come and stay here and finish school back at Hill Top!”
“Tabbie, you’re a genius.” Stephanie jumped off her bed and kicked a leg high, then spun around on the spot.
“Mmm.”
“We’ll have to make a plan when you come and stay. You’re the bestest friend.”
