Abstinence x Grayson Dolan

one

A B S T I N E N C E
O N E

   MINUSCULE brown beans pore into a machine, only to cause a complete ruckus and disturbance to the sporadic customers milling between the doors and those who own their spot at uncomfortably tight, low tables that barely anybody can fit in. Only a few employees nimbly work behind the counter, each with bags under their eyes and scowls to mark their unhappiness about being forced to work the six a.m shift. Orange paints the grey tiles, lighting brighter than the artificial lights dangling from the ceiling.

     Mabel wasn't a morning person. She rolled from her sheets that morning at five fifty, changing into athletic shorts and a crew neck and started the beat up Edge she received when sixteen. She placed her rather basic brunette hair into a messy bun and took off to pick up one her girls. Usually, she would pout at the idea of being up before the sun was, but if her plans called for hanging out with one of her girls then she would get up at anytime to be with them.

     Candice sits across from her spewing what was happening in her life from a boy who stopped talking to her all because she wouldn't have sex with him and her best friends who don't quite understand how interlocked with Jesus she was. She turned to Mabel for guidance, questioning her on how she could get her friends to understand where she was coming from rather than ultimately turning to a hissy attitude.

Mabel didn't have all the answers, for all she knew she was still searching for answers to her own questions. All Mabel could tell Candice was too keep praying and never stop, for that's what Mabel did for Candice. Mabel prayed, day and night for Candice to fall into Jesus' awaiting arms and loved the little freshman with all her heart until Candice realized Jesus loved her most. Nobody had the power to fix anything in the world, for all people did was pray to God and he did all the fixing.

Mabel led the younger girl to their time of reading a passage from the bible then journaling about it. They read from the book of John, being ever so amazed by how God never abandons anyone. Even answering that the Godless world can't take Him in because it doesn't have eyes for Him and they don't know what to look for, and God makes Himself plain to those who believe because they carefully keep his word. To those He gives the Holy Spirt, the spirt of truth, so they can go out and give this truth to those around them.

Mabel nearly cries when Candice leads the prayer that morning. Praying for all of her friends journey to and with Jesus. She prays over the two girls day, hoping that the man above them can make their day as awesome as they imagine.

They rush out of Starbucks, lattes almost spilling out of the cups and giggles spilling out of their lips. Candice swears she isn't going to be late for school, but, as always, the girls got carried away. They could talk for hours, having a record of three hours nonstop about anything that comes to mind. Their five year age difference seemed like a lot, but their understandings of the world overpowered that difference to create a friendship unlike no other. Mabel was able to lead the young girl to Jesus through a youth group, and it continues to blow her mind away at how amazing God could be to put Candice in her life.

After dropping Candice off at school, Mabel makes her way back to her place to pick up her own things for school. Never once altering her appearance, she left an adorable little note for her roommates to wake up to before leaving once again. She would forever curse herself for signing up for an eight a.m morning class, but she went anyway with a smile knowing that Candice's prayer wouldn't go to waste.

Mabel parks her car in front of the recreational center of the University of New Jersey and cuts the engine. She sends out a text to Cameron, her best friend, then exits the car, throwing her bag over her shoulder simultaneously. Her eight a.m could've been a three hour biology lap or psychology, but instead it's her gym credit to which she chose yoga. She's not particularly a fan of the fundamentals of yoga, but it was the easiest way to earn her gym credits without over working her body.

     Mabel catches sight of Cameron's long hair and almost shouts out her name, but a grunt slips instead when Cameron can't stop laughing at something her younger brother, Grayson, said. Mabel throws an inner temper tantrum, hoping that Gray wouldn't show up to yoga today, but she puts a smile on her face instead and meets the two Dolan's inside.

"Hey Cam," She greets Cameron as she signs the attendance sheet, then she turns to Grayson, "Morning Grayson."

     "I was about to text you back," Cam smiles back her best friend. Although Mabel's attention should be on Cameron, her subconscious noticeably glares at the boy towering her figure. A stupid smirk relies on lips, ready to spread with some inappropriate comment toward Mabel, but suppose he refrains for his sister won't be impressed.

The two girls change into their yoga clothes, Nike leggings and a tank top, then exit the locker room with water bottles in hand. Together, freshly joined by Grayson, they grab a yoga mat from the back and set up relatively close to the middle of the room. Cameron and Mabel place their mats beside each other, yet Grayson refrains and seats himself directly behind Mabel.

     Class begins and, as usual, Mabel's instinct knows a pair of eyes take her body without any remorse. She knew she was attractive, her hourglass figure often praised by her friends and her thicker bum and thighs praised by multiple boys. However, she usually didn't mind her friends praise regarding her physique, but the greedy eyes of inappropriate men made her rather uncomfortable. Unless he was Grayson Dolan, to which the sight of him was rather pleasing, and his stare made every part of her body flush.

Her biggest sin would forever be lust, and Grayson Dolan? He was exactly that.