[ twenty three ] the youth group
It was a Friday before the boys visited Prudence and Lucy again.
They were sat in the livingroom, three of the boys anxious to see Prudence. But as the hours went by and she was nowhere to be seen, Ashton became curious.
"Hey, Lu, where's Prudence?" He asked.
"She went to the hospital to donate blood." Lucy lied.
But she knew it was a lie. In reality, Prudence was at the hospital getting a blood transfusion done. It was something she needed in order to keep her alive longer due to her condition.
She returned in the afternoon, as the sun was going down. She weakly rushed past them, looking as though she was trying her heardest to get up the steps as quickly as possible. Ashton, who had caught a glimpse of her, noticed her face was more palid than usual and her blue-grey eyes were glazed over with tears.
Ashton got up from his place on the couch and headed for the stairs.
"Ashton, wait!" Lucy yelled, startling everyone in the livingroom.
"What?" He turned to Lucy.
"She just needs some time alone. She's going to get ready to go to church in a bit." Lucy explained.
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About an hour later, the boys spotted her hobbling down the stairs, frail arms gripping onto the railings tightly.
Luke's face contorted in worry.
"Are you going to the youth group?" Ashton asked her.
She nodded, her grey-blue eyes looking into his hazel ones. "Yes, yes I am."
"You don't look well, maybe you should stay home. Just for today." Luke suggested, feeling a genuine sympathy for her.
When she got to the bottom of the stairs, she looked right at Luke and shook her head, "I can't miss youth group." She told him, the expression on her face told him it was something she would never dream of doing. "I like visiting God's house and its the least I can do in return for giving me life and allowing me to eake up each morning."
"Do you want me to go with you?" Luke offered. "I can give you a ride and I'll take care of you."
She smiled wide at him. "I'd be delighted to take you to youth group with me. We're always trying to invite new members."
"I'll go too." Ashton and Michael said in unison.
Prudence opened her mouth to speak, but Luke interrupted her, shooting death glares at his mates. "Michael and Ashton have some very importamt things to do and can't come with us, right guys?"
"But-" Both of them protested.
"You two can come next time, right Prudence?" He asked the sixteen year old.
She nodded with a friendly smile. "Sure. Don't worry boys, you can come with me next Friday."
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The second she walked in with Luke's arm around her shoulders, everyone in the church's gym who was attending the youth group turned to look at them. The talking and buzzing in the room had ceased completely.
"It looks like we have a new member." Ralph, the coordinator said with a smile.
She nodded, stepping away from Luke. "Yeah, he's a friend of mine who wanted to be here today."
