What If

Ch.4

Tristan.

Yah know, I never really got religion. I mean I guess it's used to be a person's moral compass and all, the differing line between right and wrong. But I think that people have pushed it way out of proportion. There has been wars fought over it, people have died because of it, and people can't be who they are.

Or maybe it's just me who's blowing it out of proportion, over analyzing it.

I'm good at that.

But I guess people still need to believe in something. They need to know that they're here because of something, they need to know that their whole escapade that is their life isn't just going to end with dirt being chucked on them while they rot in a wooden box six feet deep, while their entire being seizes to exist.

But honestly, I don't believe in any religion. I believe science. I mean I've tried to believe in God before. I begged him to listen to me and to help me. But I never got anything more than false hope. I can't put my entire faith in someone who was supposedly going to be there for me, and never showed.

My thoughts were interrupted by a knock on my bedroom door.

"Yeah?" I called. My door opened slowly and quietly as if it might hit a land mine installed in the wall.

"Hi honey," mom poked her blonde head through "I have to go to a meeting, can you run to the store?"

Meeting? What did my mom even do for a living? "Yeah of course, what do we need?"

"I have a list on the counter and my debit card is there as well." I nodded and she came all the way in and kissed my head and whispered her PIN numbering my ear. Like we were surrounded by a crowd of robbers. Yeah, ok.

A few minutes later I was out the door and walking down the street. My street is full of big trees so that when it's sunny and the sun hits them just right, the leaves' shadows leave dark dapples along the concrete. It's actually quite pretty.

About ten minutes later I arrive at the small grocery store. Its been ages since I was last in here but old habits die hard and I immediately start at the fruit section.

I go along, picking a variety of fruits. While I inspect the strawberries, mentally debating whether the want for them weighs more than the need, I feel a tap on my shoulder. I turn, expecting to be told I'm in the way, when instead I find myself looking right at Alice Casey. Alice and I have been going to school with each other since kindergarten (I skipped pre-school, they didn't think I needed it).

"Tristan, oh my god it is you!" She tugged me into a big bear hug. Alice and I had been really good friends. I had missed her too.

"Oh Alice, I missed you too!" I said hugging her back. We hugged for so long that I found that her hair smells like coconut and like flowers.

"How've you been Tris?" she asks me when we finally release each other.

I shrug "Pretty good. I'm actually doing really well." She smiles.

"Ugh, my god, school is so boring without you. Everyone misses you so much!" ha, good one Alice.

"It's been pretty stale without much to do." I say.

"Are coming back this year?"

"Yes, definitely." she did an odd squeal jump thing that through me off a little bit.

"Oh, I see my mom, gotta go, bye!" I shook my head at her squirrelness and I turned back to the strawberries, picking up where I left off.

After I finished getting the rest of the groceries I hauled them home again. Then I put them away.

Seeing Alice again made my stomach twist in anticipation, excitement, and fear. But I was sick of being scared. Embrace the unknown and no surprises and no disappointment.

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Hi,

I know it takes a lot of time to update, but I want mostly everyone to read the previous chapters before I update again. Comment and vote please!

-Julie