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

Chapter 9: "Sign Language"

After the fact, Brandon began to have doubts about his decision. Would this inadvertently get Josh in trouble with his brothers? His dad? It wasn't Josh's fault, but Brandon suspected his family didn't always react rationally.

Oh Lord, please tell me I didn't make matters worse.

He wanted to believe that it had been God urging him to make this move which would create the opportunity to interact more closely with Josh on a daily basis, if only for a week. Since yesterday, though, he'd been having a difficult time distinguishing his own wants from the leading of the Lord. It was easy to convince one's self that God was giving them the green light when it was something they desperately wanted.

Even so, Brandon walked a close walk with God. If he was straying from God's will, the Lord knew how to get him back on track with gentle convictions of the Spirit. Brandon experienced no convictions at this time, which encouraged him and eased some of his worries.

Josh didn't speak to Brandon throughout the remainder of science class; didn't even look at him. Brandon was stung with guilt as tension gripped the other boy; the guy had enough to deal with, and now this. But it would be okay, Brandon assured himself. Once they were alone and Josh was forced to interact with him, he would come to understand that Brandon wasn't a threat. Maybe he would find he even enjoyed his time spent with Brandon.

When the bell rang, Brandon stopped Josh before he could hurry away. "Josh, wait. Can we talk for a minute?"

Josh grabbed up his book and notepad. Wetness glistened his eyes when he looked at Brandon. "You don't know what you've done," he whispered with a tremor.

The fear in his eyes was real and struck Brandon with deeper guilt; had this been a mistake after all?

Josh walked away before Brandon could say anything else. Oh God, did I mess up royally?

The classroom emptied with Wiley falling in beside Josh as the two disappeared out the door. Brandon remained seated at the table, a low sigh seeping out. He glanced to the front of the classroom where the teacher was sorting papers at his desk. Brandon vacated the stool and walked up to the teacher's desk. "Mr. Danson?"

The man looked up. "Yes, Mr. Nichols?"

"I..." Brandon looked back toward the door where he'd last seen Josh, then faced the teacher. "I know you said your decision was final, about the partners and all, but maybe Josh would work better with Wiley."

Mr. Danson shook his head as he went back to sorting his papers. "I'm sorry, Mr. Nichols, but if I allowed you to change partners, I'd have to let everyone." He raised his eyes. "I'm sure Josh will be fine working on the project with you."

Brandon nodded. "Yeah," he murmured.

"I'm sorry, but my decision is final."

"I know," Brandon said. "It's okay." He returned to the table, grabbed his stuff, and left the classroom. There was no sign of Josh in the hallway as Brandon went to his locker and stuffed his books inside. Students were filing toward the cafeteria, while others who'd been quick to retrieve their lunch trays first were heading outside to eat in the courtyard.

"Hey." James appeared at his locker, Marsh with him. "Ready for chow?"

"Yeah," Brandon said quietly and closed the locker door.

"Something wrong?" Marsha asked.

Brandon sighed and told them about the events in science class as they walked to the cafeteria.