The Guy Through My Window

CHAPTER 12

We assemble the next day at the cafeteria at our usual spot. Luke trails behind us as he receives many stares from the munching crowd. 

"Luke?" Hannah chirps, once we are comfortably seated on our seats, "Would you mind saying grace?"

He grew pale as if blood stopped flowing to his face, "Sure." He gulped.

His palms turned clammy under my touch, I offer him a reassuring nod which he accepts with a sigh.

"LORD, we come before you today to thank you for this meal you provided us. Thank you for....my friends Hannah and Judith, thank you for.....for....for your blessings in providing us today. Amen"

"Amen." Hannah and I chorus. 

We dig into our food quietly but Luke uncomfortably shifts on his seat. I hold his hand from under the table which makes him shoot a glare at me, "You did well." I mouth. He sighs, a weak smile curving on his lips.

"We got company." He smirks at a tall guy with a rugged look approaching our table. 

"Hey! Marshall." He fist pumps him.

"Hey! Liam."

"So wats up with you man? Why not join us?"

"Umm...I got new friends now?"

"Oh! you mean girlfriends." Liam chuckled.

"No man!" Luke awkwardly laughs back.

"Then join us, your football buddies are waiting for you." He sounded like they were some treasure. 

"I told you... I found new friends."

"Does that mean your quitting football?"

"No! I didn't say that." Luke retorted.

"Then.."He scanned Hannah and me weirdly, "Don't tell me you became a Christian like Asher! He tittered.

Luke sat dumbstruck, his confident face shrunk with shame.

Liam realizing something shook Luke as if he dozed off for a minute, "Are you?.... Are you a Christian.?"

Luke's eyes fell on us, a clear mask of embarrassment on his face. He slowly nodded as if his head swell up with shame.

Liam stood eye wide, gulping the reality he burst into a fit of laughter, "Luke you too?"He mocked. He walked out laughing but returned with a couple of muscular-looking guys. 

"Congratulation Luke! You're a Christian." Someone exclaimed making everyone laugh.

Luke sank in his seat even deeper each time the laughter grew.

I wanted to know what was going in his mind, I know all this was new to him but I just hope he doesn't quit. 

"Tell us Luke what made you change your mind? Is that mad man JESUS?"They laughed wickedly.

Luke slammed his fist on the table shutting the guys down. The impact cracking the table and a strong shiver ran down my spine.

Liam steps forward a violent face replacing his mocking one, "You wanna fight now? C'mon... one on one."He roars.

Luke stares back at him, his jaws clench and fists tighten as I abnormally shiver at the violent scene that would anytime take place.

Just then Hannah comes in between dragging Luke from the roaring crowd, he gawks at her absentmindedly as Liam shouts, "I'm not finished yet." 

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"If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up the cross and follow me."Matthew 16:24

{JF Abraham}