Scene 1 /Story form

Outside, the snow formed in drifts, as the screeching sound of Becky’s voice rose up the winding stairs. “Katie, come on it’s time to go….!” Rolling her eyes, Katie let out a huff and grabbed her jacket. “I’m coming!” She called back in an resistant tone. Katie hated church, to her church was nothing but people filling the pews with their old rituals. Tripping on the mat as she closed the door, Katie’s eyes settled on the snow that had covered there earth in a blanket of white. “Why?” she said to herself, “why does this day keep getting worse?!”

Pulling open the red door to the family’s Durango, Katie sat herself next to Jake, her older brother, “Took you long enough!” he said under his breath, “It’s not like we’re going any where important!” He continued. Catching his sideways glance Katie snickered, “Tell me about it!” she whispered back. Turning around from tuning the radio to the Sunday morning hymns, Mrs. Ridgewell gave them a glare. Pursing her lips tight she sighed. “Please, just keep your comments to yourself.” Dropping her gaze to her feet, Katie shifted uncomfortably as she thought of her mothers love for her Sunday duties. But why did she always have to drag them along too?

“Go dad go!” Becky‘s voice, yet again broke the silence. “ Ah, Becky!” Jake whined, “Do you have to yell?!”

Backing the car out of the driveway, Mr. Ridgewell soothed his daughters excitement as the wind continued, blowing snow in every direction. Katie, face pressed against the cold window, began silently counting the cars that had slid into the ditch on the little country road. What was the purpose of church, she thought. If there was a purpose she was defiantly missing it.

“Katie!” Jake elbowed her, “Look!” holding up his Iphone indicating a text he’d just received from an unknown sender. The message read “What you were.” “Is this from your one weird friend?” Jake said to her in an annoyed tone. “Didn’t I tell you to make sure she didn’t get my number?!” Grabbing the phone from his hand Katie stared at the strange text, “No, I didn’t give it to her, besides she doesn’t even have cell!” Katie replied. “Then who is it from?!” Jake replied as he reached for his phone. “I don’t know!” Katie said as she released the cell from her grip.

Flipping the text off the screen Jake shoved the MP3 in his pocket. “Just don’t give my number to your friends again.” he said. “But, I didn’t Jake!” Katie protested. “ Please guys, It’s Sunday, try to get along!” Mrs. Ridgewell cut in bluntly.

Pulling in to the small church parking lot Mr. Ridgewell drove over the curb and let out a grunt on the landing. Covering her face in embarrassment, Katie listened as Jake whooped at his fathers common driving disasters, and her mother gasped, slapping him on the shoulder “John!!” she scolded. The parking lot was covered in drifts, and was full of its normal stuffy Sunday crowd.

Pushing open her door, Katie placed her open toed, shoed feet into the already foot deep snow, and shivered at the cold. “Why can’t we wear normal shoes to church instead of theses flat open toed sandals?” she said to herself, as she attempted to kick the snow from her feet. Following close behind Jake, Katie tried to leave her parents and Becky behind. But unfortunately they caught up, just in time to walk though the church door as one big happy family.

Becky’s hand slipped into hers, and Katie could feel the eyes of her mother looking at her from behind. She hated the church greeting in the main foyer and kept her eyes down, hoping that no one would look at her. Yet, somehow her mother managed, as usual, to grab her daughter’s arm and drag her across the room to say hello to Mrs. Willowbee. “ Good Morning,” Mrs. Ridgewell she said to the woman, while holding out her hands to give her a polite embrace. “How are you doing?” she continued. Looking back at Mrs. Ridgewell with a slight nod, Mrs. Willowbee replied with her usual condescension, “Well, actually, I have been helping out at a local children’s orphanage for the past few months, and it has been a very fulfilling time.”

Katie tried to look interested in the topic, but someone, who had just walked through the door, kidnapped her attention instead. Happiness beamed from his eyes, and his friends thronged excitedly around him. This boy that came to the church every week was strange to Katie. For his heart was joyful, yet odd. His gaze was set on the path toward the auditorium, but slipped for a moment to meet hers. Swallowing hard, Katie fought the feeling of sudden jealousy. “What was it about him? She just couldn’t put her finger on it. But she wanted it.” she thought. Only for a second did she reflect this thought, before it was quickly changed to embarrassment as she watched him enter the service and begin to worship.

At the stage front he and his four friends raised their hands in a dance so awkward, that it made Katie want to look away as she watched from the back pew. What was it that made him so intriguing to her, for he was odd and not in his right mind, according to her mother. Jake, noticing his sister’s gaze, elbowed her with a look of amusement, “Weirdo’s, huh?!” he snickered. Looking at her brother, Katie nodded in unsure agreement, as she found herself lost, watching the five immerse themselves in worship.