Chapter 3 (Volume 3 Finale)

 "Kenny dear, you're going to be late!" my mom shouted to get my attention. "I'm coming!" I answered running down the stairs. "You look so handsome. Let me get some pictures." "I thought that we were going to be late." Despite my wish to just head to church, she kept insisting so I gave in and let her take some. In the end, we ended up being late. We rushed to get to the church and ended up tiring ourselves out. We were in the doorway panting and gasping for air. "I guess you ended up coming after all Ken." 

 I looked up and there she was. "Sorry Ayumi. It was my fault that we were late." "No problem, ma'am." "You shouldn't be so formal. Call me Kimberly from now on. Anyways where is your aunt." "She's sitting at the back with the rest of our friend group." "Thanks! I'll be going now." I finally caught my breath and I saw Ayumi with a smile on her face. "What have you smiling like that." She then softly uttered, "It's you. You have me smiling Ken." "Is that so? Well, you look beautiful when you smile." "Is that so? Well then maybe I will smile more often." 

 We decided to take our seats and as we walked, we walked hand in hand and sat next to Samantha and Alexander. As we listened to the pastor preach, I could sense that something was off. It was as if something was right next to me, but I couldn't see anything. Then the pastor started walking next to me and he whispered, "Don't be scared." He then started praying for me and I could feel the presence disappear. "Remember church. Evil spirits can follow any of us even in church. In times like these, we must stand firm and call upon the name of the Lord our Saviour." 

 I was in awe of what just happened. Church went on as normal and I was so focused on it that I barely blinked. It was finally over, and our friend group was hanging out together outside of the church. "It's finally over. I swear my back was going to kill me if I sat in that chair any longer." Samantha complained. "Dude same. Despite that, I kinda enjoyed looking at the girls. Damn, they look good in dresses." "Impure thoughts in church huh? You have no shame, Alex." Samantha rebutted. "I'm with Sam with this one Alex," Ayumi said while laughing at him. 

 "You've been quiet bro, what's on your mind?" Alexander asked. "Isn't the pastor so cool!" Everyone was confused as I kept going on and on about my experience. "You sure you don't have brain damage dude." Alexander joked before being punched in the stomach by Samantha. "Don't mind this idiot, he has the most defective brain." All of us were laughing while Alexander writhed in agony. "If you keep this up, no man will ever want to date you!" "Is that so? Well then, I guess I'll stay single." "Woah, woah, woah." I interrupted. 

 "I'm sick of you hitting me because of trivial jokes. Why am I the only one that gets this treatment?" "Because of the fact that I need you to be a good person, I'm harsh to you. Is that so much to ask for?" she scolded. "And why do I need to be a good person, not saying that I am not, but why is that so important to you." "You're so stupid!" she shouted before storming off into the distance. "What is her problem?" "I think you messed up Alex. She was trying to confess to you." "What?! Why would she ever like someone like me?" 

 *POV CHANGE TO ALEXANDER* 

 This can't be so. I have had a crush on her for so long, but I thought it was one sided. Plus, I thought that if I kept our relationship the way it was it would be better. Am I that dense? I got to check this out. I dashed over to her house as quickly as possible. I was gasping for air but that didn't stop me from pursuing the woman of my dreams. I knocked heavily on the door, but no one answered. "I bet she doesn't want to talk to me. How could I ever face her? I'm a fucking idiot! I should have told her how I felt from the start." 

 I couldn't help but tear up. I was going to leave but then I heard a voice coming from her backyard. It was a song she wrote, and she sounded so amazing. "Sam!" "GO AWAY!" "I'm sorry Sam." "I SAID LEAVE ME ALONE!" "I will not! I care about you deeply Sam." "THAT'S A LIE AND YOU KNOW IT." "It isn't a lie." "THEN WHY AM I HERE ALONE AND CRYING! YOU PROBABLY LOVE SOMEONE ELSE BUT MY EYES WERE ONLY ON YOURS!" "I'm sorry about that. I really wanted to confess to you but a part of me was scared that you wouldn't like me back, so I kept silent." 

 I approached her and gave her a big hug. "It may not seem that I have any goals or not but know this Sam. I love you so much and I'm sorry for hurting you." "If you're sorry, prove it to me." I pulled her face towards mine and then kissed her on her cheek. "Now let's get up and leave this backyard. "Yea you should get up," said Shakobi. "Big brother?!" "I hope you weren't planning on doing anything with my sister, Alexander." "Of course, not!" "Good." He approached me, stared me down and got closer to me. 

 "Took you long enough Alexander," he whispered. My face turned beat red. "Anyways, I'm happy for the both of you." "Thanks, Shakobi," I said while holding back my fear. He escorted me out of their house and then said goodbye as he went back inside. "Sorry, Alex. I've been so mean to you, even hitting you when I disagree with what you say. I hope you can forgive me someday." "Don't worry. Just simmer down with it okay?" "Okay!" "Bye!" "See you later shawdy." I walked home with an awesome smile on my face. For the first time in my life, I felt proud of myself.