"Society's Little Screw Ups, and the Christian Girl"

Ch. 2-"New School, New Problems."

Ch. 2- "New School, New Problems."
It had been roughly almost a month since the incident at the church parking lot, and pretty much everything in Natalie's life had just gone back to her normal routine. Except for one thing, the business where her father worked at had to have some major financial budget cuts, including the workers' payment. He was now only making enough money for the house, car, and grocery payments. However, seeing as how Natalie attended a private Christian Academy, tuition was pretty expensive. Since the family was already having to make financial sacrifices such as canceling the yearly family vacation, Natalie was starting to worry, she didn't know what would happen since she knew for a fact they couldn't afford the school's tuition anymore. When her father and mother both called her into the living room before dinner one Saturday evening for a "serious" discussion, she started to panic at what that could mean. As she walked in, she noticed that her father was already sitting on the couch with her mother.

"Natalie, sweetheart, your father and I have something important to tell you." She grimly stated. "I... I think you might want to sit down before you hear this." as her mother said that, Natalie's eyebrow immediately raised; that was the first time she had ever heard her mother's voice waver as she spoke. That certainly didn't help her nerves. She sat down on the couch place next to her father, and awaited what he had to say.

"Natalie, there's no true easy way to say this," he started and began to run his fingers through his hair that was both receding and greying; but still held that dirty-blonde shimmer "... we can no longer afford the Academy." He finally admitted. He looked down as he told her the rest "We've had to make arrangements, and next week will be your last one there. After that you'll be attending the public high school from now on." He said still looking downwards, afraid to look into her eyes.

"Father, NO!" She yelled. Her parents flinched at her sudden outburst, but she still continued "I'm sorry I raised my voice like that, but this can't be happening. I can't leave, besides the proper education I need, I also have my friends. I don't want transfer." She practically pleaded, hoping this was all just a huge nightmare.

"Do you honestly think we want you to attend public school? Natalie, we don't want to do this anymore than you do, but we just can't afford to keep you there." Her mother stated her case, and Natalie knew when she did that, that was the final word. As she donned a downcast and depressed expression, her mother tried to offer some hope, "No one said this was permanent, I'm sure the business will pull through this difficult time, and the Lord as well. Hopefully we can send you back to the Academy sometime next year." She got up from her place and walked around to where her daughter was sitting and rubbed her daughter's shoulders from behind doing her best to console her. After about a minute of doing this her mother then crouched down to her eye level in front of her. "But you listen here, I want you to do your best and stay away from the sinful and manipulative students that attend that school. The school luckily offers a Christian group meet on Tuesday afternoons, I want you to attend those and stick to socializing with the students in that group. I'm sure you'll be able to make some great new friends there. Do I make myself clear? Do you understand?" She finally finished her little speech.

"Yes, I completely understand." Natalie said as she nodded her head slowly, trying to process the information. "I feel as though that's for the best." but as she said those words, they didn't hold a lot of truth in them. Of course she understood that money was tighter, but she couldn't believe it would mean she couldn't go to the only school she had ever know. That in her eyes wasn't for the best. 'I mean seriously, what did I do to deserve this. I pray, I follow the word of God, I may not be perfect but I always take the consequences when I sin and ask for forgiveness afterwards.' She thought to herself as she followed her parents to the dining room for dinner as she somberly ate and got ready for bed. All throughout the night she tossed and turned all night thinking 'Am I being punished for something? Or is this a test set out by you God?' The next morning she woke up feeling completely miserable and sleep deprived. For the first time in her life, she wasn't ready for church, but she still knew the rule. Skipping on church wasn't an option. She got ready, her everyday attire being what she wore to church as well and had breakfast with her parents who were wearing their Sunday best; her mother in a floral dress and high heels, and her father wearing a nice shirt and tie, while skipping the usual blazer he wore to the former combination to work. After they finished their meal they set off for the service. During the entirety of which Natalie sent prayers that she wouldn't be transferring schools. She also did this through the course of her last week at the school. However on Friday after the bell she grudgingly made way her locker, for the last time. On the way there she ran into one of her "friends" Jeanine, and decided to say goodbye yet again.