VENICE’S POV
Time flies really fast. I did not expect the end of my story with Jeremy to open an opportunity for me to have a deep relationship with God. It is more than five months since I chose to follow God, and I must say that it is still the best decision I have ever made in my whole life.
“ Hey, what are you thinking? “
I came back to my senses when someone tapped my shoulder. I immediately turned to whoever did it.
“ Nothing, I just thought that time flies really fast, “ I responded while smiling at my best friend, who currently standing behind me while her hand was on her waist.
“ Psh, maybe you are thinking about something emotional. Is that an effect of the reality that our final exams are fast approaching? “ Monica asked while laughing, then she sat on the vacant chair in front of me. We are here in the library to review our notes because our major subject final examinations were fast approaching.
“ Tsk, what took you so long, by the way, “ I asked to change our conversation.
“ I went to the student council office before going here, “ she answered.
“ What did you do there? “ I asked in wonder.
“ I just passed the letter of request for our evangelism after finals week, “ she simply responded.
“ Ahh, what did they say? “ I asked once again.
“ I were able to let James say yes, “ she proudly said and put her arm against the table.
I could not help but grin because of what she said, and I responded maliciously, “ It seemed like your charm do the magic once again, “
“ Psh, stop teasing me. We were prayed hard for this. Like what other said, truly prayer works. “ She said.
“ Okay, end of the conversation. You are too serious, “ I replied and burst out laughing.
“ Of course, I know you so much. I am sure if I go with your flow, we would not be able to review our notes, “ she said while laughing.
I rolled my eyes because of what she said and then shifted my attention to the reviewer I was reading before she came. I did not know precisely how often I let out a heavy sigh because of the stress and pressure I am feeling now because of this reviewer. I even heard Monica burst into laughter every time I let out a heavy sigh, so I looked at her. I was confused at the moment because she stopped laughing and became silent right away. She also looks at the door of the library while glaring.
“ What is your problem? “ I asked in confusion.
Monica remained silent, so I turned around in curiosity about what she was looking at. I immediately saw Jeremy smiling with the girl he replaced me with. I looked away after seeing them. I did not look away because I felt something painful, but I just did not want to open a door that would make me feel bitter.
“ Do not look at them. You are making me crazy, “ I rebuked her.
“ Psh, you are more beautiful than the girl he replaced you with, “ Monica commented while frowning. I could not help but laugh because of her face right now. It seemed like she was the one who was not yet moving on about what happened to Jeremy and me.
“ What is funny, Miss Venice? “ Monica asked irritably.
“ You, “ I answered while laughing.
“ Why is that? “ she irritably asked once again.
“ It is because, beshy, it has been five months already, but it seems like you are not yet done moving on to what happened. “ I responded while holding my laughter because I could see how irritated she was.
“ Of course, I am your best friend, so I could not help but to feel anger towards him because of what he did to you, “ Monica said furiously.
“ Forget about it already. I already forgot about it, “ I said to convince her.
“ Are you sure that you have forgotten about it already? “ Monica curiously asked while her eyebrows were meeting each other.
“ Of course, “ I confidently answered while smiling.
“ So fast, huh. It seemed like you really move on, “ Monica commented.
“ I told you, “ I replied and winked at her.
Monica shook her hand, laughing, which made me laugh at myself. It seemed like I laughed loud because she immediately made me silent by showing a quiet sign. Ops, I almost forgot that we are currently here at the library. Monica and I just came back to review our most challenging major subjects.
***
After a few days from the day, we saw Jeremy and his new girl. It is now Sunday. I woke up early because of the excitement I was feeling. I simply wear a baby pink dress and tie my hair to ensure that it will not disturb me later in the church. I just checked my mirror reflection and immediately left the house. Monica and I were not together today because she was sent to the other branch of the church.
“ Good morning, “ Grace greeted me, smiling after I entered the church’s entrance.
“ Good morning, “ I sweetly greeted her back.
“ Oh, it seemed like you are happy today, “ Grace commented.
“ Of course, we should be always happy, “ I responded, then winked at her.
I admit that for the six months I have been staying here, I felt at home with everyone here in the church. It seemed like I had met a family outside my biological family. I also have other close friends here in the church, but I am most relative with Monica, Grace, Axcel, and Bryan.
“ Why are you staring to nothing, “
I almost jumped off in shock when Axcel in front of me appeared out of nowhere.
“ Psh, why are you startling me, “ I asked, and slightly hit his shoulder, but of course, the hit was not that strong.
“ It is because of you. You are staring blankly to nothing. Who are you thinking of? “ Axcel maliciously asked based on the way he was grinning at me.
“ So, every time I stare blankly, I think of a person right away? “ I sarcastically replied to him,
“ I am just curious if you like someone, “ Axcel explained.
“ Crazy, I would tell Monica what you said to me, “ I tried to intimidate him.
“ Fine, fine, I will stop now, “ Axcel said and raised his two hands as a sign that he surrendered. Grace and I just laughed because of what he did.
“ Good morning, “
I automatically held my chest because it beat so fast after hearing Bryan’s voice. Weird, it is already a few months since I started feeling this way.
‘ What if I have heart issue? ‘ my mind exclaimed, but I immediately shook my head because of that thought. Gosh, Venice.
“ Good morning, “ I shyly greeted him back. Bryan simply smiled at me.
“ Your name should not be Venice, “ Axcel said out of nowhere, making me look at him in wonder.
“ What? Why? “ I asked in confusion because of his sudden comment.
“ I said, your name should not be Venice. Instead, it should be Mia, “ Caleb repeated with a serious face.
“ Why? “ I asked again in wonder.
“ Mia, Missing In Action, “ Bryan responded in a relaxed manner.
“ Psh, you destroyed my punch line already, “ Axcel childishly protested.
It took me a few minutes to fully understand what Bryan said. I automatically punch Axcel’s shoulder afterward. I hit him stronger than earlier, but he just laughed.
“ You are too slow today, Venice, “ Axcel teased me more while continuously laughing.
“ Hmp, “ I angrily said to him.
“ Stop teasing Venice already. Monica might beat you up later if you do not, “ Bryan said, putting his arm on Axcel’s shoulder.
“ Psh, you two, you always fight with me, “ Axcel sentimentally said and pretended to sniff.
“ That is gross, “ Bryan said while chuckling, which made Grace and I laugh.
I stopped laughing when Bryan looked at me and smiled. I immediately looked away from him because my heart beats so fast. Aish, what is happening to me?
After some time, our service started. Axcel was the worship leader while Bryan was playing guitar. Our praise and worship smoothly finished. I could also feel how strong God’s presence was. After thirty minutes, the word of God started. I was too focused on the preaching that I did not have time to look around to see who seating beside me was.
“ To our youth out there, can you hold your chest, “ our pastor instructed, which all youth immediately obeyed.
“ Can you tell your heart that it should not beat at the wrong time? “ our pastor added.
“ Do not beat in the wrong time, “ I whispered, tapping my chest three times to pound it. I also do not want to commit mistakes, especially in love.
Our pastor’s preaching continued, which lasted almost an hour. I learned a lot of things today, especially the topic mainly about heart and love. But it is not really focused on romantic feelings. Our pastor also discussed brotherly and platonic love.
“ Let us eat ice cream, “
I came back to my senses when I heard Grace speak. Our service has ended, and Axcel, Grace, Bryan, and I are the only people in the church. It seemed like what Axcel said about me missing in action today is true.
“ All right, let us go, “ I energetically responded, grabbed my shoulder bag, and put my arms over Grace’s arm. Bryan and Axcel silently followed us until we reached the ice cream shop near our church.
TO BE CONTINUED!