A Thin Line Between Love & Hate (Love Conquers All series) ORIGINAL VERSION

Chapter 3: "Holding Out Hope"

God is love

Josh had read those words in the bible over and over, trying to pull them into his heart, make them real –believe them. But he hadn't grown up on teachings of a loving God. He only understood a vengeful, wrathful God. It's all his father preached.

But to hear those words –God is love –fall so softly and sincerely from Brandon's lips, see the light in his eyes that Josh longed to see in his own –that light that gave evidence that God was truly within –it gripped Josh's heart, made it all so much more real.

Uriah wasn't fazed. His hand clamped onto Josh's shoulder and squeezed. Josh winced and ducked his head once more. "Tell him about sin, Josh," Uriah murmured.

No, I don't want to do this. Not here. Not with...Brandon.

He had no choice as Uriah's fingers gouged into his shoulder. Josh stared at his tray. "The wages of sin is death," he whispered.

"But the gift of God is eternal life," Brandon returned gently, finishing the scripture. Brandon addressed Uriah. "Do you call yourself a Christian?"

"I am a true Christian," Uriah said tightly. "One that does not waver from the Word of God, that does not compromise with sinners."

"But you show no love...as Christ told us –Love ye one another as I have loved you." Brandon added, "He that says 'I know Him', and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar and the truth is not in him."

Josh's heart pounded as Brandon faced off with Uriah, unafraid and without intimidation.

"Are you calling me a liar?" Uriah spoke low, dangerous, as he stepped forward. Josh froze, stomach twisting.

"Do you love me as a Christian brother?"

"I don't love any fag or fag lover."

"He that says he is in the light, and hates his brother...is in darkness even until now. He that hates his brother is a murderer and no murderer has eternal life abiding in him."

"You are not my brother," Uriah hissed.

Brandon came full circle. "This is the message that ye have heard from the beginning...that we should love one another."

Elijah shifted beside Josh and nodded at Brandon. "Yeah, we know how your kind love one another. Thanks, but I think we'll pass."

Wiley, Mark and Dan burst out in laughter. Uriah didn't join in. His hand tightened on Josh's shoulder. "Tell him what the word of God says about fags, little brother."

Nausea grinding his guts, Josh said thickly, "It is an abomination for a man to lay with another man as with a woman."

"Pretty cut and dried," Uriah stated firmly, with an air of triumph.

Josh chanced a glance at Brandon. The guy didn't appear defeated as he murmured, "Is it? Perhaps you should read it again...and this time read the entire chapter, rather than picking it apart and only taking what you deem useful as a weapon against others."

"I know what it says," Uriah insisted.

"Knowing the words...and understanding them...are two different things."

A smile tugged at the corner of Josh's mouth and he quickly extinguished it before the others saw –but not soon enough to escape Brandon's detection. Something flickered in the kid's eyes and Josh felt it in that instant –a secret bond.

No. You can't "bond" with him. You can't let him know that you're different than them.

"Come on." Uriah gripped Josh's shoulder, causing him to wince, the older boy's eyes drilling into Brandon. "It's time to rally for God."