Chapter- 8 *First Day Out* ✔

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It took about 15 minutes to reach there. I was speechless when I stepped outside the car; whatever I heard about this beautiful church was nothing compared to the truth. The church was painted in white with two large wooden doors at the front, which were already opened. I noticed few people waiting outside the church; probably for their relatives. As I was stepping up the stairs, I felt a bubble of peace forming inside my heart.

I was glad I decided to come here. I tried to search for a temple also, but they don't have any in downtown Brooklyn. I wasn't like those people who won't go in church in the name of religion. I didn't believe in such crap. I finished my high school from a Christian school, and there wasn't a single day when I didn't visit the small church of the school.

We went inside and I felt calm. All the worry and nervousness had vanished. There were many big glass-stained windows. The wooden benches and the floor was made with white marble. The church was crowded, yet, there was peace.

I knew it was a mega church with thousands of people in the congregation, but there was more than that - the Holy Spirit was there. There was an air to the place that would probably leave you in tears. Pastor Cymbala, his wife, the choir, Pastor Dilina, and more, all had a voice that could speak straight to you or through you even when you were sitting on the balcony at the edge of the Tabernacle.

I didn't realise when I'd started moving.

Wow, it was an amazing experience. I decided I was going to come here every Sunday. Despite of the fact, I wasn't Christian, I love spending time in church.

After the morning mass was over, we decided to head for the lunch.

Noah suggested we go for pizza, and he knew just the place; Pizza Plaza. Noah dropped us off up front to park the car around the corner, but not before he wound the window down, and drove slowly alongside us.

"Hey, Jassica!" Noah shouted. "Try to grab a corner seat." He winked at me.

I looked at Nina. She just rolled her eyes and carried on walking inside, taking no notice. I quickly nodded and followed Nina.

As I turned around I bumped into a hard body, flailing, and eventually falling backwards onto the concrete sidewalk. The guy responsible carried on walking; all I saw were his ocean blue eyes and his light brown hair that covered his forehead. He didn't even notice me, though.

'Hey wait', I wanted to scream, but I was too in shock to respond.

What a jerk!

"Jassica, are you okay?" Noah came running in and gave me his hand.

I nodded, rubbing the back of my hand. I was so embarrassed.

"Hey, no need to be embarrassed. It's not your fault," he said with genuine concern.

I gave him a small smile and started walking.

"By the way, did you see who it was?" He asked angrily and I just stared at him.

He couldn't be that concerned, could he?

Honestly, I can't trust guys anymore; they use any tricks to impress a girl.

Manipulative!

"You there?" he asked, waving his hand infront of my face.

I snapped out from my thoughts and looked at him. He seemed genuinely worried, but I couldn't fall for that trap.

"Nope, he just walked away," I replied, stepping inside the restaurant and met with the familiar aroma of freshly baked pizza.

The restaurant was packed with teenagers and kids.

I spotted Nina around the corner. She looked at me, and then to Noah as she sat alone in the black corner booth with her arms folded.

Uh! She looked pissed.

"What took you so long?" She asked suspiciously, raising her eyebrow.

"Some guy bumped into Jassica and she fell." Noah informed her.

Again, Jassica?

"What? Are you hurt? And which guy? Did you see his face?" Nina asked and stood from the booth.

"Relax, Nina, I'm fine. And no, I didn't see his face. He just walked away." I replied, scooting into the booth.

"And what the hell were you doing?" She glared at Noah.

"I was parking the car, and by the time I came back, the guy wasn't there." He clarified. "Anyway, she's fine now, let's order something."

Now, I need to correct him.

"By the way, it's Jessica, not Jassica." I said, pressing my lips together.

"Oh, sorry." He smiled, sheepishly. "Jessica."

Nina chuckled and asked, "Okay, what do you want to order?"

We ordered 2 large farmhouse pizzas with extra cheese and polished it off with barely any talking in between. We were starving.

"So, what's next?" Noah leaned back in his chair, rubbing his full stomach.

The way he looked at me was as if he didn't want to leave us, especially me. But I was so tired, I just wanted to sleep.

"I dunno, I'm kind of tired." I shrugged.

"You should rest; we'll hang out some other day," Noah said, giving me a small smile.

Noah didn't seem too hurt that I didn't want to hang out, which I was glad about. On the other hand, Nina gave us both suspicious looks. She was full of them today.

"What?" I asked, innocently.

"Nothing. Let's go back." She said and walked outside.

I looked over at Noah. He shrugged and mouthed ignore her to me.

Well, I can't. She is the only friend I have here.

Noah paid the bill, despite of my protest. He told me to consider it as my "welcome treat." I felt happy and relieved at the same time for getting such nice friends.

We reached the parking lot, which was only a five minute walk away. Noah unlocked the door and we settled inside.

Noah drove us home. No one uttered a single word during the ride. Without a word, Nina walked back into the residential dorms.

I gave Noah a wave as he drove off and I quickly followed Nina back to her room.

"What's wrong?" I asked, closing her door behind me.

"Do you see the way Noah looks at you? It's not a ' just friend' gesture. Is it mutual? Do you like him?" She raised her eyebrow.

Wait a minute, like him?

"What?" I almost shouted. "No, I don't see him in that way; I just met him, Nina. I assure you nothing is gonna happen between us," I added in a normal tone.

"How can you be so sure?"

"Well, I don't do flings. I'm here only for 2 years, then I have to go back. Besides, I don't believe in such things. . . love, feelings. . . all that crap." I looked at the floor, avoiding her gaze.

When she didn't reply, I lifted my face and found her staring at me.

I hate that look!

"What?" I asked, irritated.

"Someone broke your heart."

It was not a question. I remained silent. I didn't want to talk about the guy who broke it. I didn't want to remember anything.

"I'm going to take a nap," I said and walked towards the door.

"Wait, Jessica!" she called.

"What?" I snapped, turning around. "I don't want any sympathy."

"No, I was just wanted to say sorry for my behaviour. Noah has started liking you and I just want to make sure that. . ." She trailed off, looking at the floor.

"I know Nina, I understand. But there are no feelings from me about him; you can tell him that," I said and closed the door, leaving her alone.

I checked the time: 4:30 pm. I need to talk to Mahi but she must be sleeping at this time. I better get some rest if I want to talk to her.

*****

When I woke up about three hours later, I realised someone was knocking on my door. I opened it and Nina was standing there.

"I came to check if you're coming for dinner or not." She spoke softly and bit her lip nervously.

"Yeah, I'm coming."

I grabbed my phone and went to eat dinner.

Everything settled between us and we were becoming very good friends in these first few days. I was glad I went with her earlier.

Finally the day had come. Tomorrow, college will be reopened and I can start my new journey.

Which would change my life.

******

So How's the chapter?

Finally its time to meet max.. by the way if you hadn't noticed they had already met ;)

Anyways In next chapter they will be infront of each other ;)

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