Losing My Religion

Part 1

"Take this and go over to the new family's house and invite them to join our church"

You rolled your eyes as your mom handed you the faded leaflet listing the sermons and times of services

"But mom, what if they–" you began to protest

"Don't argue!" she ordered angrily

You snatched the leaflet out of her hand and sighed

"I don't get why you can't do it" you answered petulantly

"Because it's time you took an active part in the church, now go on, I'll be watching"

You slipped on your jacket with a slight pout and opened the front door, glancing at the house across the street where the new family had moved in a while back. You hadn't met anyone who lived there, but you had seen them coming and going, you didn't really know many of the people in town, you went to a religious school just outside of Hawkins and spent most nights cooped up in the house, under the watchful eye of your parents

Deep down you slightly resented the fact your family was so into their faith, but you conformed anyway, going to church every Sunday, taking part in the services, living your life by the rules they had laid down, no smoking or drinking, no staying out past 8pm, no engaging with guys, unless of course, they oversaw who it was; usually someone's son from the congregation, you had to dress conservatively, be polite to everyone you met and keep yourself to yourself.

Slowly you crossed the street and glanced over your shoulder, seeing her stood at the window, her arms folded tight across her chest, eyebrow raised as she watched you. Momentarily you paused looking at the car parked lazily against the sidewalk, you carefully ran a finger across the blue metal of the hood, admiring it. You heard your mom banging on the window from your house across the street, snapping you out of your daze and spurring you to approach the front door, you could hear the low rumble of rock music coming from inside as you rang the doorbell. Fiddling with the leaflet and looking down at your shoes nervously as you heard raised voices from inside the house, you glanced over at your mom, she was urgently making a hand motion to ring the bell again and you obeyed

"This is so dumb" you mumbled to yourself quietly, you took a few steps back from the porch, resigning to the fact that no-one had heard you when the door flung open allowing the loud music to flood out towards you

"Can I help you?" a red-haired girl asked you impatiently, closing the door behind her, she looked you up and down with an annoyed demeanor

"Hi, um, we live across the street and my mom sent me over here to, um" you flustered over your words, not really knowing what to say, you watched as she frowned at you with restlessness and you winced

"They're members of the church and she sent me over here to ask you if you wanted to join, but I can see you're really busy so"

"The church?" she asked you sarcastically

"Yeah, pretty ridiculous right? They do this to every family that moves in" you answered with a shrug and slight smile

"That is kinda lame" she replied, her irritated attitude seeming to fade

"Anyway, I can tell you're not interested, but please can you just take this because she's watching me" you asked politely as you offered her the leaflet in your hand

She sighed and took it from your hand with a nod

"Thanks, it's nice to meet you by the way" you said with a smile

"Yeah, you too, I'm Max" she stretched out her hand and you took it, shaking it softly

"Well, I better get back inside" she said as she glanced over her shoulder at the door