Walking a thin line

Chapter 3

I was working on an essay for "To kill a Mockingbird", while Kara was laying on my bed, singing lyrics to a popular song I didn't know anything about.

"Annie, let me paint your nails", she complained, turning over on the bed, and turning the music down.

"No, I have to finish this essay", I retorted continuing to write in my notepad. She huffed sitting up and coming over to me. She hopped onto the desk sitting in my way.

"Oh, come on. Let's do something. I'm so bored", she commented giving me puppy eyes.

Kara was a good friend. She was nothing like me, but was there for me in high school when people thought I was a freak for praying all the time and carrying around my bible. She didn't care what people thought, and while she did have other friends she was there for me. Especially after my mother past.

I closed my eyes, letting out a sigh. "Ugh, fine. I'll take a short break", I sighed putting my pen down.

She clapped in excitement as she hopped up and went to my side draw. "I think I left the polish in here last time", she spoke opening the draw, when I realized what I left in there.

"Wait"!  I called, but it was too late. She had already pulled out the envelopes with curiosity.

"What are these"? She asked flipping through them.

I grabbed them from her hand, pulling them to me. "They're letters from Colton, when he was in jail. He gave them to me today", I told her stepping past her and placing them back securely in their place. I haven't gotten up the nerve to open them yet.

"Annie, that boy is bad news. Do you know what they say"? She asked, sitting on my bed. I sat next to her with a sigh. 

"No, I haven't read them yet. And I know, I was his best friend, so I am well aware of the trouble he brings. But the bible says "Blessed is the merciful, for they shall receive mercy", I quoted, thinking of my faith.

She groaned rolling her eyes. "Annie, are you really going to forgive him, and be his friend again? Even after all he has done to you"? She questioned sounding clearly upset.

I shook my head pushing my long brown hair behind my ear. "Well, no not exactly. I didn't say I would just forgive him, and we're gonna run into the sunset together. But he really sounded like he was sorry. Maybe I should just try and hear him out", I explained remembering his sad eyes, when I told him I wasn't ready to forgive him.

But Karen didn't seem to be having it. "No! He's just some jerk who doesn't care about anyone, but himself, and he just wants what he doesn't have, which is you". She flipped, standing up clearly agitated. I had never seen her get so upset. She was usually a typically calm person, but mentioning Colton definitely seemed to be annoying her.

"I didn't think Colton would upset you so much"? I spoke quietly putting my head down. I didn't like that she was getting so upset for me. Especially when I didn't understand where it was exactly coming from.

I heard her sigh as she sat back down next to me. "I'm sorry Annie. I just don't want to see you get hurt. I know how much you care about people, and you're just so emotionally honest that I just feel obligated to look out for you", she responded much more calmly, grabbing my hand, and holding it.

I gave a small smile, gripping it back. "I know, and I appreciate it. You're my best friend, and always will be", I reassured her back. "But, I can't ignore him. He's not going anywhere whether I like it or not, and all I can do is believe that god will lead me down the right path", I answered. It was the truth. If I was meant to truly forgive and be his friend again, then God will lead me down that path. But if Colton truly hasn't changed, I know that the lord will show that to me.