•Shaun's POV•

Lots of things happen when things get torn from your life. You get mad at the world around you, maybe thinking that life isn't so much of a joy ride, and more like a trek to your death.

You imagine that the world is against you, and that's how you plan on making it work just as long as you don't get hurt in the process.

I hated myself. For everything that I had done. For trying to make Kaila be mine, when obviously she didn't like me.

For making Hunter hate me, because I bullied his younger sister when she walked home every day after school, and then convincing him that I was indeed standing up for her. He loved me, until I hurt his girlfriend.

My head wasn't quite screwed on right. Because I thought that everything was supposed to be against me, when in reality I had the power to think of it differently.

As I ate my food at dinner that night at camp, Kaely kept asking me what was wrong. Of course I wouldn't tell her. I had to keep the mask on.

"Nothing, babe. I'm fine." I smiled.

She saw through me though. She knew nothing of me, or my past. Only of what I told her.

We met online. My adoptive mom and her boyfriend ended up taking me with them to Georgia. I wanted to die. There was nothing to live for. I continued to shut everyone out, until I found her on Instagram.

We started talking, and she was so sweet, I couldn't let her see that I was hurt, and full of self-doubt, self-harm, and pain. No, no one could see that.

~~
That night during service. Kaely and I found a couple of her youth group friends and sat with them. Odessa, her best friend, was no where to be found.

"Hey, do you know where Odessa is?"

"Nah. I haven't seen her since after she left the line." I said, truthfully.

I spotted Kaila, Hunter, Alex, and Amber sitting with a few of my old youth group members. I rarely went, of course. Mom hated churches, thought they were always judgmental, and all about rules, rules, rules. And I mean, I guess they were right.

Hunter caught me looking at them, and instantly shot me a cold glare. I instantly looked away, and only paid attention on Kaely.

Soon, the entire sanctuary started chanting the numbers on the screens, counting down time until worship. Every year they came up with the best music, but in order to keep my facade, I stood with my arms crossed.

When the timer got closer to zero, campers started to go to the pit. I'd never gotten the chance to go down there. For, obvious reasons.

Kaely stood, and told me to stand also. I sighed and agreed. Once the clock ran to zero, the band began playing their first song.

It was an upbeat one, probably by Hillsong Young and Free. But I didn't know the lyrics, Kaely did though. I admired her for that.

We sang worship songs, and more praise songs.

After worship, the guest speaker was introduced. "Good evening Fusion Bible Camp! I'm Pastor Sean Mackemeier, your two thousand and seventeen speaker! How are you guys?"

The camp screamed, and cheered. Including Kaely.

"Well! I'm not huge on small talk, so we're going to get right into our message tonight. This week's messages have the theme of Who Is God? Are you ready for it?"

Everyone cheered and clapped.

"Alright let's get into it. Everyone turn your Bibles to Hebrews eleven. Now we're gonna read one through seven it reads: 'Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead. By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: "He could not be found, because God had taken him away." For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.'"

I really took this into account as he said these words. We must have faith in order to believe he is real.

"So, this is the beginning of the story right? God showing us who he is, based on our faith. We must open ourselves up to him, in order for us to reveal himself to us." Pastor Sean continued.

I really took in those words. I might not be Christian, but ever since I met Kaely, things have been turning around. Opening up will be very hard, in saying God will have to break down these brick walls in order to get there.

~~~
Woah. Idk who this new guy is but, he's kinda sweet huh?

I'm kidding, he isn't new. I'm just showing you a different perspective. lately i've been trying to seek the other side of the story, with the term "things aren't always as they seem". what do you think of this shaun?

leave a comment below to tell me!!

i hope you guys liked, and hopefully we'll see some change in this monster soon (:

❤️Ari