Take me to church ✞

to

Later that day, it was already evening and we just had dinner, I wanted to get some fresh air. When I walked outside I saw Ezra leaning against the railing of the patio, a mug and his phone in his hands. As soon as he saw me he put his phone away and turned around. 

"Hi."

I just looked at him. "Hi", I said while also leaning against the railing in the opposite direction. He chuckled a bit but didn't say anything. We stood there for a few minutes when he looked at me again.

"So why are you here?", he glanced at me expectantly.

"My parents sent me", I didn't look at him but I wanted to. I remembered his blue eyes and I really wanted to see them again. In the corner of my eye I saw him nodding and smiling slightly. 

Just as I wanted to say more I felt a vibration in my pocket. I pulled my phone out and looked at it. I got a text from my brother. 

"So who's Lucas?", I jumped as he suddenly was closer to me and looking over my shoulder. 

"That would be my brother who hates me." I opened the text I instantly sank down the railing.

"Hey, what's going on?", he seemed concerned but that was his job, right? 

I couldn't say anything and just shoved my phone into his hands to show him what my brother had texted me.

You're not part of the family anymore. Jesus died for your sins. You're sick. I'm going to kill you, faggot. 

I wasn't able to control myself and felt hot tears running down my cheeks. Instead of saying something Ezra just sat down beside me. I felt his hand on my knee and would it be any other situation I would be excited. 

We sat there for quite some time and I slowly calmed down. 

"I was in your situation a few years back", Ezra declared suddenly, "my parents also sent me to a Christian holiday camp. It was fun. That was the first time I kissed a boy", he smiled and continued, "I think I was 17 and you know what? I did learn something in that camp. It doesn't even matter if you believe in some god or not, but if you do, he doesn't hate you. And Jesus didn't die for your sins. I don't believe in God but I believe in love, that's why I'm here. Half of the kids who go to Christian camps are here because of some stupid stuff they do or did that their parents didn't like. You're gonna be okay, I promise." He hugged me from the side but I pushed him away. 

"How do you know that? You don't know my family", and again I felt the tears in my eyes build up. 

"You're right. If nothing works, you can always just walk away."

"But what if I don't want that?"

He looked at me with sympathy, "You're gonna be miserable."

"Well, thanks for the pep talk", I scoffed and looked at him with disbelief. 

Ezra just nodded and pouted his lips. 

After a while, we got up and went to sleep. It took me some time to fall asleep because I had to think about his words the whole time. It's gonna be okay. But will it?