True Love

Chapter 6: Josh

Josh enter the school filled with students hanging out, getting things from their lockers, or walking to their classes. The hallways filled with friends deep in conversation, couples kissing each other goodbye for two hours, and others buying snacks at the vending machine. Josh walks down the crowded hallways, towards his classes, he made sure to memorize his schedule to seem more blended in.

He passes by rooms 66, 65, and 63. Sits down were the teacher instructs, and takes notes on the lesson. Josh writes down supplies he would need, and then reads a book when he was bored. No one approached him, and he didn't talk unless answering a question.

The next few classes went the same way. The bell rings and Josh packs up his stuff. He rushes over to the bus, sits in an empty seat and stares out the window until the bus is at his house. Josh gets off and walks the short distance to his house.

Shutting himself into his room, he does his homework. Before his parents get home from work, Josh has practiced on the piano, finished another novel, and ate a snack while catching up on Netflix.

It was probably seven o'clock, Josh sits down, and fatigued from the day he takes a nap. The next few months took on the same pattern.

***

Josh started placing puzzle pieces together, he glances at the image and smiles, content that he has finished the edges. He made the puzzle himself, he graduated in the top ten percent at his school, honor roll every semester and graduated early. He joined challenging clubs like debate, and robotics. He was more open now, able to strike up a conversation easily. He drinks some of his coffee, and presses another piece gently into place.

Josh's watch beeps. "Hey mom, I'm going to hang out with a few friends." he says loud enough for his voice to echoes around the house. He picks up his backpack, and keys.

Moments later his is at his best friend's house, a group of people were meeting up for bible study. "Hi, Josh," a few of them greet, Josh waves in return. He gives hugs and handshakes to others.

Ben, the host, goes to greet Josh. They have known each other for over three years and now are good friends. On the weekends they would play basketball or video games and talked about almost every topic they could think of and during the weekdays they would text each other about the theological meaning of life.

Ben then gets everyone's attention, "That you everyone for coming tonight. We have food and beverages in the kitchen so I will pray over the food and then you can make a line." Everyone bows their heads, and folds their hands together. Ben prays over the meal and then everyone stands, and walks towards the food, continuing their conversations of recent exciting events.

Ben was one of the last to get his food, he sits with a few friends and they were talking about a new movie. "Haven't watched it," Ben says. Everyone else stares at him in shock or fills their mouth with food.

"We should take you to watch it, it's a great movie," one person in the group says. Everyone agrees, nodding their consent. Ben smiles. Later they commence bible study.

I would like to dedicate this chapter to everyone at my church. I truly feel welcomed, and a part of something important.