Don't Fall for the Rival

Chapter 4

I woke up from my mother shaking me awake as I blinked at her with a squint of my eyes. "Maria, get up and get dress. We're going to go to the church this morning to meet people in the community" She says as I groaned and nodded as I got up using my hands and elbows as I propped myself up. I blinked my eyes as I look up at the blinding sun that was peeking through the opened window that I left opened when I came back from my night run. I got up and looked through my bag as I see the black top with a white skirt that had music decals written across it as I threw off my running clothes and got dress. Soon the moving van will be here with the rest of our stuff and I can get everything in order. Where what is going where, how I am going to set up in my room.

I walked down the steps in my formal clothing as I see my mother smile at her husband who was looking at Aiden as we walked out of the house and into the jeep. I got into the back and grabbed my stash of earbuds as Jim started the jeep and rolled out of the driveway and towards the Church. I'm not one for religion, it kind of isn't my thing anymore. I was put into a catholic school to see if I could take interest in it. But to my adoptive mother's dismay, I shot down the idea when I got back from a month of it. The priest that was also my teacher, had touched and abused me. Scary. Yes. But I try not to put it out there for people to know about that kind of past.

Buildings zoomed passed us as we got into a large packed parking lot with people in pastel colors of clothing got out of their vehicles and headed up to the entrance of the church. The church was a tall building with a long length with bright white paint. I got out of the jeep as I hear Aiden call my name. I look over to him as he runs over and grabs my hand. He looked dead ahead as he blinked up at me and then back at a familiar old man that always comes and visit us. Carl.

"Carl" I sternly spoke as I walked passed him bringing Aiden behind me. When we got to the front of the holy building, I see a familiar brown haired woman. I smiled and spoke out. "Hello, Mrs. Heffley" I bowed my head as she turned and smiled. "Oh Maria, did you come with your family?" She asked as I nod. "Yes i did. Mom wants to meet everyone in the community, and get to know people because we are so new here." I explained as she nods and looks over to the boys of her family walking up the steps. I notice Rodrick had a grim/annoyed face as if he didn't want to be here. And I don't blame him, I don't want to be here either. But when Rodrick locked eyes with me, his expression turned in a small smile. He then walked up to me and held out his arm to me as if to lead me to the side. I took it and we walked over to where we were alone.

"So I see, you came to Church. I wouldn't have thought of you to be a religious person," he commented as I rolled my eyes and poked his chest. "I'm not. I just came with my family because my mother wants to meet the community." I replied back as he nods and scratches his head. "So I heard you went on a run." he blurted out as I narrowed my eyes and looked at him. "Who told you?" I asked as he points at his brother who was hanging around his mother. I scoffed and shook my head. "Of course never trust a twelve year old, to keep anything down" I hissed as Rodrick laughed at my attitude.

"Don't worry, I just want to know why you went out so late. Did you mother know?" he asked as my expression softened and nodded at his question. "Yeah that was the reason, why I went out so late. Me and her had a late night chat with what happened back home. I still blame myself for it. But It's whatever right now. But I guess we have to go in." I say as he nods and starts to walk with me towards our family. "We're still on for a tour around the town?" I ask as he smirks and nods. "Always."

I walked out of the church with Jim and Melinda as Jim held Aiden in his arms. Aiden was speaking in his hushed voice when a spirit of a little girl came to him wearing all white. She had short brown hair and soft brown eyes. I knew who it was. Madison. She was spirit who haunted my mother not long ago. But she was confused like the rest of the spirits who died long ago. Every time a person dies. They are either know that their dead or their fucking confused on what happened. I walked on and looked at Aiden. "Aiden be glad you were whispering around the same time when the preacher was talking." I pointed out as Aiden nods. "Next time, tell the spirits to talk to you later. We don't want any of these people to get suspicious of our gifts. We don't want to be at that point again." I warned as Aiden nods. "Yeah, sorry Mom. Sorry Dad" he apologizes as Melinda gives me a small glare while i rolled my eyes.