Chapter One

Chapter One ~

Hi! I'm Summer, I used to be the queen of the school and the mean girl. I was living in the darkness so I didn't know what was right to do. I used to love being popular and being prideful, I used to have a friend named Jessica. We used to bully Christians and younger kids when we were in 8th grade. This summer my mom sent me to bible camp because she wanted me to change, she wanted me to know Jesus and how he can change people. When I found out what my mom was planning I got so devastated, I was so scared I couldn't even tell Jessica why I wasn't gonna be hanging around with her for the summer.

Well, let's just say that Jesus came into my heart and I became a Christian. I don't know how Jessica will react. And will we even be friends? "Wake up!" I said to my sister as I shook her on her bed. "Five more minutes" she mumbled as she turned the other way. "Fine!" I said as I stood up and walked out the door. I quietly tiptoed downstairs so I wouldn't wake up my parents. I went to the kitchen and made myself my morning coffee. I heard footsteps on the stairs so I hid behind the counter like a baby.

"Summer?" I hear a voice say. "Yeah?" I said as I got up from the ground feeling embarrassed. "Why are you hiding behind the counter? the voice said. I walked towards the light and say that is was my mother. "Well.." I started to say staring at the coffee machine and looking at my mom. My mom understood what I was trying to say and she just laughed. "Sweetie, I know you love coffee," she said laughing quietly. My cheeks turned red and I just turned around. "Well, hurry up and get your coffee and get ready for school" she instructed.

I poured my coffee into my favorite cup and went to the living room. I grabbed my bible from the coffee table and started doing my bible study. "Jesus I'm so afraid to go to school," I said in my mind. "Jessica will hate me everyone will" I also said in my mind. "I opened my bible and by surprised, I ended up reading this verse:

Matthew 10:22-

You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.

"Thank you, Jesus" I whispered to myself and continued reading the rest of the chapter. I closed my bible and went upstairs. "Hmm, what should I wear today for school," I thought in my head as I came from the bathroom after my shower. I entered my room to see my puppy Skye licking my pillow..again.

I closed up my jean jacket and grabbed my back bag. I prayed and went downstairs. "Grace, are you done" I called. "Coming" she yelled. Since my sister is old enough to drive me to school, I need to wait until she's ready so we can leave. After a few minutes, we were in the car. I looked out the window and I could already notice Jessica bullying some girl as we pulled into the school. I prayed to God that he would give me the strength to stand up to her. "We're here," Gracie said as she parked in the driveway. "Thanks," I said and stepped out of the car.

"You're in control God" I whispered to myself and walked towards the entrance. I tried not to draw awareness to myself but in the corner of my eye, I could see Jessica and her friends walking towards me. "Hey, Summer where have you been all summer?" Jessica asked annoyed. "Well...I went to bible camp" I said trying to act brave. "What?" She and her friends said in disbelief.

"Listen, I really liked it," I said as I backed away from her. "I can't believe you, Summer! I can't be seen with a Christian girl" She shouted. "Uh...I have to go" I said and rushed into the building. I walked towards the front office so I could get my schedule for the school year. "Hi!" I said as I got to the front desk. "I need my schedule" I explained. "What grade?" the lady asked. "9th" I responded. "Here you go," she said and gave me my schedule. "Thanks," I said and walked out of the office. This was her schedule:

Mountain Oak High School Schedule:

1st-Spanish

2nd-Geometry

3rd-HP Physics

4th-Lunch

5th-P.E

6th-First Priority

I'm so glad that I got First Priority, it's a Christian class that you can take during high school! I quickly rushed to my first class and slid into the closet desk by the door I took a glimpse around the class to see who was in it and my eyes landed on my friend Chole. She had brown hair and hazel eyes, the thing is I don't know if she's a Christian. "Ahem," said Chole as she sat at a desk near mines. "Oh, Hi!" I said startled. "What were you starting at" she questioned. "You," I said trying to not act awkward. "Ok.." she said puzzled. "I wanted to see if I knew anyone in this class" I explained. "Oh," she responded and went to talk to her other friends. I started fiddling with my pencil until my teacher started talking.

"Hello 9th graders, my name is Mrs. Chee" She said. 'Hello," we all said. "I hope you guys had a good summer," she said. "Summer was amazing," I thought. "I'm going to give out some slips of papers that your parents will need to sign" she explained. "Chase?". I turned my head to see that she was speaking to a guy who had black hair and blue eyes. "Can you please pass out the papers?" she asked. "Yeah, sure." He replied irritated. He started passing the papers until he reached me. "Here," he said. "Thanks," I said and took the paper to have a look. He looked annoyed at me and kept on handing out the papers. "Your first assignment is to write an essay in Spanish," stated Mrs. Chee "I can write okay in Spanish," I thought, "But I'll still need Chole's help".

The class bell ringed and I was heading to Geometry, my worst subject. I felt as if the class would never finish but it did eventually. "Hey, Summer" called Chole as she walked towards me. "Hey, how was second period?" I asked. "It was amazing, guess what," she asked. "Hm?" I asked puzzled. "My teacher said we wouldn't have homework for the first semester," she said doing her happy dance. "What! You're so lucky" I said. "Right!," she responded. "Well I need to go I'll see you at lunch," she said to me. "Okay!" I responded and strolled down the hall.

I practically slept throughout my class, and it was finally lunch! I scanned for Chole and found her sitting at Chase's table. I tried sending her signals on why she was sitting there and she just ignored me! "Over here Summer" she called out to me. I looked at her with annoyance and went and sat. I overheard Chase and his friends talking about Jessica and her friends. "So," I said to Chole trying to create conversation. Chole didn't get the hint and she kept on eating her food.

'I can't wait to go to First Priority!" I said happily. Everyone's face in Chase's table looked at me in disgust. "It's the church girl," said Jessica rudely. "Seriously?" I answered. "No one wants a church girl here" she explained. I looked over at Chole and she wasn't even standing up for me, she just hid her face in a book! "I need to go," I said frustrated and grabbed my stuff, and left. "Wait!" I heard a voice call. I turned around and realized it was Christine? I used to bully her in 8th grade. It was so bad to the point she had to leave the school.

I looked at her in confusion and asked, "What?". "Don't listen to them," she said trying to reassure me. I walked towards her and gave her a hug. I know werid? But I couldn't explain how I was so grateful that she said that. She hugged me back. I pulled away from her and said, "Sorry, I didn't mean to do that". "It's okay!" she said smiling. "If you want, you can sit with us?" she asked. "Whose us?" I asked. 'Some of my friends are over there" she said pointing at a table in the back. "Okay," I said happily and followed her towards her table. I caught a glance at Chole looking at me and mouthing "sorry". I just ignored her and kept on following Christine. The whole school was watching me as this played out, embarrassing right?

"Hey!" said a girl as I sat in the empty chair. "Hi," I said embarrassed. "Did you see what happened? "Everyone did," said Christine. "Oh.. Uhm," I said trying to find words to say. "It's okay," said a boy who was reading a bible. 'Wait.. are you guys Christians?" I asked shocked. "Yup" Christine answered. I never knew that Christine made these friends. In 8th grade we mostly bullied her. "I'm sorry" I blurted out to Christine. "About what?" she asked curiously. "I'm sorry for bullying you, I didn't know Jesus back then" I started to say.

"It's okay, we must forgive other's who do wrong to us" she replied. I took a glance around the table and my eyes landed on the girl who greeted me when I came. She met my eyes and knew exactly what I was gonna ask her. "I'm Melody," she said. "Derek," said the boy knowing that I was going to ask him his name. "And this is Jade said," Christine. I turned my head and saw a girl who was drowning in the bible. I smiled because I knew she forgot about the world right now and was focusing on the word of God. "Nice to meet you all" I answered happily. I thought about Chole for a moment and wondered if she would like to be their friends too. "I need to check my phone really quick," I said and grabbed my phone from my bookbag. They nodded their heads besides Jade and kept on talking.

This is what her messaging looked like~

Summer- Hi Chole. I'm not mad at you...

Chole- You aren't? Then why did you ignore me?

Summer- Ok..maybe I was mad back then but I'm not anymore.

Chole- ...

Summer- I made some friends! You should definitely meet them.

Chole- Idk-

Summer- why not?

Chole- they aren't the type of friends I want...

Summer- Oh, well I'll see you after school.

Chole- btw what's your 6th period?

Summer- First Priority!

Chole- Oh, seems boring ngl

-Summer- It isn't!

Chole- Oh wait!I almost forgot to tell you something.

Summer- What is it?

Chole- I'm meeting with Jessica and her friends today.

What? Did she not just see how she humiliated me. I couldn't even text her back. I just placed my phone on the table and tried to join the conversation that was going on. "Are you guys excited for First Priority?" Melody asked. "I am," I said joining into the conversation. "So am I" added Christine. Maybe being friends with them was what God wanted for my life. Chole suddenly changed after this incident. I really hope she doesn't turn out like Jessica.