Kai felt like he was obviously out of place. Following the rest in prayer, he knew instinctively that it was obvious that he didn't know what to do at all. And he knew that this would be different, but it seemed like everything he had ever known was being thrown out a window. His mind was shattered just like the glass would be, and he wondered if it was visible on his face.
Sami felt like he fit in too well here. His body and his lips moved with the rest of the church without him even thinking twice, patterns he thought had been long forgotten enacting perfectly. The death of his sister by his father's hand has shattered Sami's mind like glass, and time had put it back together a little crooked- missing a few pieces (empathy, fear). But reciting this prayer without thinking twice was breaking it again. The real question was what pieces would be lost this time.
----
As the rest of the congregation filed out of the church like ants in perfect lines they boy that didn't fit in at all and the boy that fit in too well made their way to the front of the church (slowly but surely). When they reached the pastor's pedestal, the man seemed to be waiting for them. He wore a smile that didn't reach his eyes, which remained cold and impassive.
"Hello father," Sami started. "It's been a while hasn't it." Sami wore that plaster smile again.
"It has indeed Samuel, it has indeed. It's good to see you in church again son, truly." A muscle in Sami's jaw twitched again. So did his left hand. "Who's this young man?"
Kai stepped in before Sami could say something he would regret (or let that friend in his pocket fly fly fly in here). "I'm sorry, it was impolite of me not to introduce myself. I'm Kai, I'm Samuel's friend." He smiled and met the devil of a man's hand for a firm shake. Inside, though, his stomach churned. This man's hands were cold like the air in this goddamn church and rough like leather. They were hands that caused hurt.
"Well aren't you a polite young man. Why don't you two join me for dinner at my place tonight. I insist, truly. It's been too long since I've had dinner with my son." His eyes stayed cold. Kai gritted his teeth. "It would be our pleasure."
YOU ARE READING
SUGAR AND STEEL
Novela JuvenilIn which a boy as sweet and sickly as cough syrup and cotton candy meets a boy that tastes like Juicy Fruit and cigarettes (and is best friends with a butterfly knife)
