The Pastor's Son

Out With The Old, In With The New

"Jayden! We need to talk to you," Jayden Brooks' parents call him from downstairs. He isn't exactly in the mood, because he's far too busy texting his best friends, Sam and Noah.

He jogs down the stairs wearing basketball shorts and a white t-shirt, which reveal some of his nicely tanned skin. His blonde hair rest on his head messily, which is pretty typical for the 17-year old boy. "Yes?"

His father, Mark, took a deep breath and then let it out, "You're not going to like this."

Jayden rolls his icy blue eyes. He hates when his parents act like he can't handle things. In his opinion, he's a senior in high school, and is mature enough to understand basic things. "Just tell me," He replies.

His mother, Carly, steps into the conversation, "The church has shut down."

Her words felt sharp as they hit Jayden. He's gone to the same church all his life, Downtown Church, in North Dakota. He stays silent for a moment, trying to recollect his thoughts. He knew so many people from that church, and now, he may have lost that connection to all of them.

"Sweetie, are you okay?" Carly questions, in an attempt to break the overwhelming silence that has filled the room. Jayden doesn't have the heart to reply. Instead, he just turns away from his parents and rushes up the stairs. Meanwhile, his parents share pained glances to one another.

In Jayden's room, he starts texting his friends.

Jayden - I can't believe they shut down the church!

Sam - Come on, it's okay Jay. I'm sure you guys will find a new church.

Noah - Get it through your head, Sam. He doesn't want a new church, he doesn't want the other one to shut down.

Noah - This is what I mean when I say boys are smarter than girls.

Sam - Excuse me?

Jayden - Well, I'll just let you two talk this out.

Jayden lets out a heavy sigh and sets his phone down. The door to his room opens, and in walk his parents who have soft, caring smiles on their faces. He knew they were trying to cheer him up, but it wasn't helping.

"Are you feeling any better, son?" Mark ask, with a worried look resting on his face.

Jayden sighs, but doesn't answer.

"Well, anyway, we were going to tell you that we know what church we're going to start going to," Jayden's mother remarks. Her sentence catches the attention of her son.

"Which one?"

"The Friendly Neighborhood Church."

Jayden feels his blood boil. He hates that church for one specific reason. Because he hates the son of the pastor that works there. Isaiah Harden. He's a boy that almost no one likes, everyone considers him to be a snobby stuck up brat.

"Why the look?" Mark's words break him out of his trance.

Jayden knows he can't possibly tell his parents about his hatred for Isaiah, they'd be disappointed. They already dislike Jayden's style, so, he doesn't want to make them even more regretful. "Oh, nothing. I'm just upset about our old church."

Carly comes over to her son and kisses him on his forehead, "I know, baby. But you'll be okay," She leaves the room.

Mark comes over and kisses Jayden's forehead as well, "Night kiddo."

Jayden waves and then grabs his laptop. He uses video chat and calls his friends. They pick up almost immediately.

They both seem to be in their usual nighttime attire. Sam, in her hoodie and shorts, Noah wearing shorts and no shirt. "There you are, dude!" Noah grins.

"Guess what I found out," Jayden says with a grim face.

Sam looks at Jayden with a curious look, "What, Jay?"

"The church we're switching to is 'The Friendly Neighborhood Church,'" Their faces fall.

"Dude. That sucks," Noah frowns.

Sam rolls her eyes, "Wow, Sherlock. Anyway, I can't believe you have to go to the same church as Harden. That'll be torture."

Jayden pouts, "I know, right? Save me."

"Wish I could." Noah shrugs.

"Noah! Turn off your computer!" Can be heard on Noah's side of the call, based on the voice, it's his mother.

"K, mom!" He hollers, "You heard her, gotta go."

Noah's screen goes black, leaving just Sam and Jayden.

"I should be going, too. Talk to you tomorrow. Good luck with church tomorrow," Sam says. Her screen goes black, leaving Jayden. He turns off his laptop, plugs it in, then turns off his lights.

He tries to sleep, but his thoughts keep racing. 'You have to see Isaiah Harden at church tomorrow. He's a prick and you have to deal with him. He's going to drive you insane.' Jayden sighs and spends part of his night tossing and turning. Eventually, he does fall asleep, but his thoughts still linger.