Free Grace Alive: a Christian Romance by Natasha House

Smiled! I was
in shock! He began a lesson on prayer. It was a subject my dad
absolutely loved. He expounded on how important it was, and how God
was displeased with us when we let things distract us. I’d let a
lot of things distract me lately. I still prayed, but I kept
thinking about Branson and what I should do about Friday. It was
only a couple days away now. After service, I hovered near Mia as
she bustled her kids around. Tomas nodded to me silently.
    Crap. Jacob walked over to me, a sickening
sweet smile stretched across his face. It isn’t even that Jacob is
ugly. Far from it. Some girls actually thought he was
semi-attractive. If you liked that greasy, slicked back look. For
some reason he wanted me, even though a couple girls I knew liked
him. He couldn’t take a hint. He approached me, and I had nowhere
to hide.
    “Hi-ya, Zoe-Mcglowy,” he said with a stupid
drawl.
    “Hi,” I said with a dead voice. I was not in
the mood for him today.
    “So what time do I pick you up for the
movie?”
    “Movie?” I asked dumbly. What was he talking
about?
    “Oh, your dad told me, Friday me and you were
going to the movies. There’s a new Christian film out I thought we
could catch, and then afterward we could grab a bite to eat. What
time is good for you?”
    Never! I wanted to shout. Friday was my date
with Branson! My dad had planned this? What did I do? If I said get
lost he would say something to my dad, and I’d get a huge lecture
about hearing the voice of God. This was going to be really tricky
to get out of. Maybe I could work? I could call my boss and have
him schedule me for Friday night. But, what about Branson? I felt
torn in two. This was a no-win situation. If I said no I would face
my dad, if I said yes I wouldn’t be able to go out with Branson.
And…ugh…I’d be going out with Jacob. What did I do! Jesus, what
do I do? I can’t win here! I prayed to myself. Jacob fidgeted.
Oh, I’d waited a long time to answer.
    “Will six work for you? The movie starts at
6:15. Then we can go out to Charlie’s afterward.” He was still
waiting for me to say something. I’d have to cancel with Branson
wouldn’t I? I wanted to cry all over again.
    “Okay.” That was all I could say right now. I
turned and walked away before I screamed like a three-year-old.
Tears impregnated in my eyes against my will as I slammed out the
door of the church. Mia got a glimpse of my face as she loaded her
kids in her van. I jogged to my car and shoved my key in before she
could come over. I’d driven myself today. I hadn’t wanted to ride
with my parents even if it saved me 50 cents. I was going out with
Jacob. This sucked!

Chapter 10

    I had to work the next day, and all I could
think was that I had a date with stinky Jacob. It was like having a
date with a drowned rat. Wrong on every level. I helped people find
felt, glue sticks, and beads. One old lady even pinched my cheeks.
My life was sucky. I felt hopelessness spiral through my chest. It
was almost time to go, when the door jingled and sure enough
Branson walked in. His smile lit the room. He had no kids with him
today. He saw me and walked over.
    “Hi, Zoe! Still on for tomorrow night?”
    Crap! I had forgotten to cancel with him! I
was so wrapped up in my own misery that I let it completely slip my
mind! I must have shown it on my face because his smile turned into
a concerned look.
    “Is something wrong? You look like you ate a
lemon. Does my breath stink or something?” He smelt his own breath
then gave me a killer smile. This was going to be so hard to do.
How did I explain this to him? My dad thought I was supposed to
marry this creepy guy who I thought was a snake. Did I tell
him?
    “Um, Branson, something came up for Friday. I
completely forgot to call you. I can’t go out with you. Can
we…reschedule?” I asked. I still wanted to go out if only to quench
this strong urge I felt to be with him. I know I shouldn’t feel
that way at all. I should just