M E G A N

  I couldn't believe that the Awards Night had come on so soon! I was really hoping that somehow, someway, Steven and my mother would make it. I really couldn't believe that Rachel was so excited about the Awards Night. Some weeks later, she wouldn't have cared about any of those things. She seemed so happy and content. But I knew that wouldn't make her permanently happy. Only God's love could make her permanently happy. This would be my last opportunity to ever talk to Rachel. And I had to do this. I paced back and forth, trying to overcome my nervousness. It wasn't the first time I would ever witness to anyone. But this was Rachel. Rachel! Rachel Bradstone, the most popular girl in school. Well, if God had told me to tell her about God's love, that's just what I had to do.

So, Father I will place this in your hands. Please give me the right words to say to Rachel and show her Your love through me. I silently prayed as I made my way into the large auditorium. The enormous was filled with lots of people.I struggled to find a suitable place to sit. This was very surprising, because on previous Award Nights, there weren't this many people present. With all I had experienced in the past weeks, this was a different year. A very different year. I smoothed my dress, suddenly becoming aware of the crowd that had gathered in the auditorium. I hated crowds and didn't feel comfortable speaking to a large group of people.

The ceremony started with an opening prayer. After the various groups had performed, the head girl, Maria Heffley stood on the podium to announce the winners of the different awards. Names were called until Maria said, "And the Excellence Award goes to..... Megan Freeman!"

Everyone turned to look at me as my way to the podium. My hands shook as Maria handed me the award, a model of a graduant. I looked at the thousands of people seated on the bleachers. I cleared my throat as I started to make my speech.

"Well, um..first of all, I would like to thank God for this award and all those who were involved in helping me get this award. I really wasn't expecting this. Thank you."

After I gave my small speech, I made my way back to my seat. After a few hours Awards Night was finally over. Everybody started filing out of the auditorium. I started making my way towards Bunk4A. I heard someone call out my name and I turned to see Mom holding Steven by his hand. Adrenaline rushed through me as I rushed towards them. I held Steven in my arms and twirled him around, excited to see him. My assumption was right! This year was definitely a different year. Mom and Steven never ever came to the Awards Night and here they were.

"Hey, Mum. I did't expect you here", I said.

"Neither did I. I arrived at the bakery like 15 minutes early, like I always do. My boss told me I work too much and he gave me the day off. So I just took the opportunity to visit you", Mum explained.

"I can't believe it! I'm just so happy to see both of you".

"I'm happy to see you too. I see you got an award. I'm so proud of my baby girl".

"Mom! I wasn't expecting it", I said, slightly irritated at my Mom.

"It doesn't matter, honey. I'm still proud of you. Now let's go get something to eat".

   We headed towards the food stands to get something to eat. I was still amazed at the number of people who showed up. I spotted Rachel standing with Danie and Leah, I guess. What were they doing here? Our eyes met and immediately butterflies started their routine in my tummy. I was so nervous! Mum seemed a bit nervous or maybe I was just hallucinating.

"Honey, I need to talk to you", Mom told me right after we finished eating.

"Okay", I said, feeling a bit anxious. Mum rarely had that serious tone in her voice like she did now.

"Let's go over there", I pointed to some wooden benches which were lined up behind a tree.

There was an awkward silence as we sat on the wooden benches.

"Mum, are you alright?" I asked with a hint of concern in my voice.

Mum shook her head as tears welled up in her eyes.

"No... I'm not.....It's just that.. that you see, your father, he told me he would return home about two weeks ago. And he has still not returned home. I'm so scared that something bad has happened to him", Mom replied and burst into tears.

I sat transfixed for a moment, not believing a word of what I had just heard. I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. This could not be happening.At this point, my mum was all teary - eyed and I tried to comfort her by patting her on the back.

"Mum, it's going to be alright and if Dad's in trouble, he'll be okay. He can take care of himself".

Even though I had spoken these words, I didn't have any conviction that they were true. I was very worried.  What had happened to Dad? Why hadn't he returned? Anytime Daad travelled, he would return on time. So why had he still not returned? 

"I'll have to go now, honey. Keep praying for your father", Mom told me and left.

I looked at the trophy in my hand. It was a picture of a student holding a miniature certificate. I slammed the trophy down on the floor angrily. All this didn't matter to me anymore.how could I care about a stupid trophy when I didn't even know where my father was? Mum had a good reason to cry. I had no idea where Dad was. He could be anywhere at all. And I didn't want to think of the possibility that he could be dead. I couldn't bear to think about that but those ugly thoughts continuously crept into my mind.

     Suddenly, I burst into tears. The tears flowed uncontrollably, I couldn't stop them.Little did I know Rachel had crept stealthily behind me.

"Hey, Megan", Rachel said.

I jumped, surprised to hear her voice.

"Hey", I replied.

"I've never heard of people who win awards being miserable. Oh, by the way, congratulations". I chuckled at the comment she made.

"Well, I wasn't crying because of that. It's just that... that...". I hesitated.

What would Rachel think or say when I told her my father had not returned home? Would she laugh at me? Would she even understand my situation? She stayed with only her grandmother. Would she understand what it meant to lose a father?

"What's the problem, Megan?" Rachel's voice snapped me out of my reverie.

"It's just that, you see, my Dad traveled two weeks ago. He promised he would return soon but he has still not returned. And when my father promises to return from his travels on time, he always does it. Now that he has not returned, I'm scared that....". My voice trailed off and once again burst into tears.

Unexpectedly, I felt Rachel's arms around me. A few seconds later, I realized that Rachel was hugging me. Weird enough, I felt better when she was hugging me. I really needed hat hug. Minutes later, I pulled away.

"How did that happen?!", I asked in surprise.

"I don't know. It just happened", Rachel replied.

An awkward silence followed.

"Megan, I do not know anything about your father. But anyway, I know he's going to be alright", Rachel said, trying her best to sympathise with me.

"You're just saying that to make me feel better. What if he's dead or seriously injured?"

 "And what if he isn't? You can't go around thinking he's dead if he's not".

"But it's a possibility. Rachel, I don't think you understand my situation. I can't afford to lose my father. He is the one who provides money and everything for the family".

"I understand. I have parents too".

"Rachel, you and I both know that that's a lie. You live with your grandmother and you don't even know where your father is".

"How... did you know? My two best friends do not even know anything about it. I thought it was a secret", Rachel said in surprise.

"I know what I know and you're my neighbour so I hear things", I explained.

An awkward silence followed again.

"I have to leave now", I said, picking the now dented trophy from the ground.

But before I could take a step, Rachel pulled me back. I looked at Rachel questioningly but took a seat on the wooden bench. 

"How do you do it?" Rachel asked me.

"Do what?" I asked in surprise.

"Everything. Here you are, your father has not returned from his travel and you're not bothered about it. There's something about you I can't put my finger on yet".

"It's not that I'm not bothered about it. I am bothered about it. I am very worried but I know he's going to be alright".

"How do you know he's going to be alright when you don't even know where your father is?"

"I just know that God will take care of him".

"You still haven't answered my question. You see, my life is so messed up and... I have no idea how to fix it".

I spent the next few minutes listening to Rachel tell me all about her distorted family and how she hated hiding everything from everyone, especially her two best friends. As she told me this, tears started forming at her eyelids and she burst into tears.

"Rachel, God made you exactly how He wants you and He loves you exactly how He made you. You see,  initially, material things like clothes. cars, shoes and jewelry may satisfy you temporarily and that's what has happened to you.  But only God can truly satisfy you. Nobody and no one else can. He's the only who truly loves and cares for you".

"So you're trying to say that God is the only one who can fix everything?"

"Exactly".

The next thing that Rachel said really took me aback.

"Sure. Say these words after me. Dear Lord, I come to me just as I am. I believe that you came to die on the cross for me.Please write my name in the Book Of Life. I accept you for saving me. In Jesus name, Amen".

"Thanks for praying with me".

"It was nothing".

"Megan, I'm really sorry for every mean thing I've done to you. The disses, the insults, the pranks, everything".

"It's okay. I forgive you. I've always forgiven you. Anyway, I've got to go. I'll see you later". 

I heaved a sigh of relief as soon as I was out of Rachel's sight. Everything turned out better than I had expected. Now, with that out of the way, it was time to start packing!