Crushed

Chapter Two

All week I have dedicated my time towards studying for college. Not many girls attend, yes I know, but I want to become a lawyer. My mother does not approve at all. She says that women should be at home caring for their husbands and children. I laugh upon that because I have no desire to become a slave in my own home.

It is Sunday, and I have just put on my best dress to surely make my mother proud. What she does not know is that I have my criminal justice textbook inside of my bible case. I run downstairs, but my mother of course stops me and tells me that ladies do not run, but walk.

After getting into the car, I began to read my 'Bible.'

"Getting a head start for church, I see," My father praises.

I nod,"Yes father, of course."

We pull up to the small white church in a matter of minutes. How can a church be painted a color so pure when people come here to shed their sins? I keep my thoughts to myself and follow my parents into the church. We say our greetings before taking our seats in our designated pew. The service begins with a hymnal that I sing mindlessly, having heard it so many times before. After the song ends, we are seated once more.

"Great, but next time try singing in key."

I look behind me at Mr. Styles who is smiling at me deviously. I shake my head and whisper forcibly back to him,"You are saying that as if I am trying." He chuckles bitterly and I turn around trying to ignore him.

"Open your Bibles to Corinthians 3:41." The pastor demands in such a way that I am beginning to think that he is more of a cult leader.

I open my 'Bible' flipping randomly through it before I find my stopping point from the car. The pastor starts to read aloud, but I focus on my textbook.

"What do you have there, Miss Lana." Mr. Styles questions, rather loudly I might add.

My parents look to me in dismay but I shrug. "A Bible, Mr. Styles. Where is yours?" I turn the attention back towards him. He raises an eyebrow and replies slyly.

"I must have forgotten mine at home."He smiles to my parents.

"Well, Lana would be more than happy to share with you." My father pipes, nodding towards me.

I glare at Mr. Styles before holding my book up ever so slightly so that he could see it behind me. He chuckles and leans closer to me.

"I did not know that you liked Law." He snickers.

"You do not know much about me at all." I smile, even though I would love to take a pipe to his head.

For the rest of the church service I hold my book up uncomfortably, not bothering to read it any more. When church is dismissed I follow my family outside to the car. Mr. Styles has been chatting my father's ear off for what feels like forever. My mother and I wait in the car until my father joins us, getting into the driver's seat of course.

"Lana, I hear great things about your singing from Mr. Styles. He feels that you should join the choir. I do too. That means that you will catch a ride from him every Wednesday afternoon for choir practice, since he is helping there." My father dictates.

"Father! I have no bone in my body that wishes to sing!" I yell.

"You will not speak to me this way and you will obey me."

I stay silent in anger until we reach home. I get out hurriedly and go straight to my room. This is maddening.