CHAPTER FOUR
I never expected to enter this church again after last night. But here I am, following Abby Brown back into the heart of Christianity. Why I am doing this? I don't really fully understand that myself. I guess after looking back at my past, I feel a sudden urge to change. Or maybe, after thinking about my father and his strong tie with religion, I feel the need to make him proud of me. Regardless, I'm doing it. And I'm almost now wishing that I didn't.
Abby seems like she's nearly bouncing with happiness as she skips ahead of me, her bangs lifting and falling with the movement. I try to enjoy myself, too. I mean, this is church for crying out loud. If I want to change, I have to give this a shot.
Most of the decorations from the other night are stripped, but besides that, the place looks about the same. There is a tray of snacks set up on a table. The ping pong table is still sitting in the corner with a couple of kids tossing the ball back and forth. This time, the wii is powered on with crowds of people playing and watching. And there's the bench area as well, where the majority of the kids are talking and hanging out.
"So, I thought you weren't coming." Abby says as she leans against the snack table, her eyebrows raised.
I shrug as naturally as possible. "I don't know. I mean, who doesn't like church? Go...Jesus."
A smile curves at the corner of Abby's mouth. "Well, I'm glad you're giving it a shot."
"Thanks." I reply, snatching a cookie from the tray. I'm chewing the treat into crumbs when I spot a girl from my school, Annabella, a few feet away from me talking to a couple of girls I don't recognize. Now, Annabella isn't my level popular, but popular as in she's popular enough to be able to tell my friends she saw me at church and that could make me fly down the popularity scale overnight by doing so. So, almost jumping with panic, I crouch behind Abby, using her and the table to conceal myself.
Abby catches my movement and somehow, her eyes find the subject of my gaze and I hear her sigh.
"Aster, seriously?" Her voice is thick with annoyance.
I slowly peek my head up to meet her demanding stare.
"I can't let her see me." I reply quickly. "If she sees me, she'll tell all my friends and I'll be the most unpopular girl ever!"
Her expression defiantly doesn't help defend my motive.
"You don't understand," I continue, trying not to give in under her stare. "It would completely ruin my reputation. You're not popular, so you don't know what it's like to-"
"Hey, Abby."
I spot Ben making his way toward us, a big grin spread across his face.
"Hey, Ben." Abby greets with a wave. Ben smiles at her, then looks in puzzlement at me--probably looking like a moron--crouching under the table.
"Um, why is Aster under the table?" He asks Abby, quietly.
I spring up from the ground in embarrassment. "I dropped something." I made up. I can just see Abby roll her eyes at my lie.
"Okay?" Ben gives me a confused glance then turns his attention back to Abby.
"So, where's Max?" Abby asks him. The same question swirls in my mind as well. Where is his curly-haired, annoying, judgmental brother?
"He's sick," Ben replies, fixing his eyes on the floor. "He had a bit of a temperature today. Hopefully, it's nothing."
"I'm so sorry," Abby's sympathy shines through. "He'll be in all our hearts and prayers."
