When I Pray

Chapter 1

     I suppose looking back that I always knew I was different. I didn't get as excited about boys as all my friends, absolutely loathed having to kiss my boyfriend, and I never truly felt like myself.

     I was always playing a role, but couldn't ever seem to land the part of Charlie. Even if I did, I wouldn't know the first thing about who she is or how to be her. How to be me.
  
     I saw the signs of my unhappiness, but I chalked it up to me being stupid. There is no reason for the most popular girl in town to be anything other than happy. I had the perfect life. Or at least I thought I did.
    
     But all that changed the day I met her.

                ***************              

Charlie

"Dad, do you think it is remotely possible for me to skip the service today? I don't really feel well."

I put on my best sick face, and even added a convincing cough to go along with it, but I knew he wasn't buying what I was selling.

"I'm actually impressed at the effort you put in to your sick act this week," my dad says from the kitchen table. "Almost believable."

"I figure it was worth a shot." I try my best kicked puppy face, but it doesn't last long before my smile returns.

"Well I thought it was great hon," Mom smiles as she cooks breakfast. "But next time you should try using props or something. I'm sure a little fake vomit would have went a long way."

"I'll keep that in mind." I deadpan.

I still hear their laughter as I head back upstairs to get dressed. Getting dressed for church is always a pain. I hate dresses and skirts, but I can't be seen at church wearing jeans and converses. That wouldn't be "appropriate" and, being the preacher's daughter, I have an image to uphold. I'm glad my naturally straight blonde hair never needs much work, and I don't need a lot in the make up department, so really all I need to do is get dressed. I've always been slim and toned because of all the sports I play, so I know I probably look alright in a dress, but I just never feel very comfortable in them. I pick a nice sundress long enough to cover up my 5'9 frame, don my matching sneakers and head back down stairs.

My parents are already gone when I return to the kitchen. My Mom and Dad are expected to be early, but I like to arrive a little later. I eat quickly though because my sick act put me at a later start than usual and I'm nothing if not punctual.  I finish, grab my keys and head out the door.

I will never get tired of driving my truck. I love everything about it; the smell, the rumble of the engine. It took some convincing to get, seeing as my mom pictured buying me a sedan or maybe a Bug, but logic won in the end. I need the truck to carry all my sports equipment to and from school, and it will be great when I head off to college next fall.

I drive well above the speed limit to make on time, and the small town of Hillview blurs by. Its only got a population of 300, and I could literally count on one hand the things to do around here that don't involve guns and mud. The church is in the middle of the town but it doesn't take too long to get there. I make it just on time and quickly go to my seat on the back row. I smile and wave to the people around me, and prepare for what will probably be the longest two hours of my life. As I look around the audience, I can't help but notice that I see a few new faces. This is a rare occurrence because everybody knows everybody in such a small town. As I glance at the new family, my eyes finally land on her. My heart stutters in my chest  and threatens to stop all together. Eyes as blue as the ocean I've never seen glance  at me for a second before they return  to  the conversation she's having. She's got long jet black hair, and pale skin, and she's beautiful.

Where did that thought come from?

My attention is quickly drawn away from her as my father gets up to begin his sermon. For the rest of the service I can't help but feel my eyes glance in her direction every now and then. I don't know what it is about her that has piqued my interest, but I do my best to focus on my father.

Easier said than done. If someone had asked me what the sermon was about I don't think I'd be able to tell them. I breathe a sigh of relief when my father finally finishes. Before taking his seat my dad decides to introduce our newest members.

" I want everyone to give a warm welcome to our newest members the Griffin family. They just moved here from South Carolina and have decided to attend our church."

This announcement is met with a bout of light applause and then my father takes his seat. The service is dismissed, and I move to meet my parents at the front of the church as per usual. On the way to the front, I wasn't paying attention to where I was going, and was startled when I accidentally ran into someone.

" I'm so sorry!" I exclaim. " I didn't mean to-"

My voice stops mid-sentence as my eyes lock with the blues eyes I noticed before.

"It's fine," she says. "It was my fault anyway. I'm never paying attention to where I'm going."

"I'm Charlotte, but everybody calls me Charlie." I say, extending my hand.

"Sam." She replied, grasping my hand in hers.

A jolt of electricity travels up my arm when I make contact with her skin. I look at her, and I can tell she felt it too.

I smile at her, and that's when I realize I'm still holding her hand. I quickly let go as if burned, and look at her sheepishly.

"So, you're new here?" I begin.

"Oh my God," I think. "That's such a dorky thing to say."

She interrupts my inner reprimand with the most melodious chuckle I've ever heard.

"Yes, I am. Is this the part where I ask 'Do you come here often'?"

I'm about to reply when I see my parents waving me over. I turn to Sam with an amused grin on my face.

"I'm sorry, I have to go. My parents are calling me." I say.

She looks in their direction and her eyes widen.

" You're the preacher's daughter?" she asks, a look of shock on her face.

"For as long as I can remember." I laugh.

That comment earns me another chuckle, and I leave with a smile on my face.

"It was nice to meet you. I hope to see you around." I say as I walk away.

"Pretty sure you'll see me at school. I start tomorrow." She turns and I lose her in the crowd.

I reach my parents, and after saying goodbye to a few people, we decide to head home. I drive through town with a certain pair blue eyes still on my brain.