A/N: Dedicated to MayokunAkintunde . Hope you love it Mayo.🙈

****

Reese blew the horn of his blue Cadillac. Calm wouldn't be the word used to describe the young man slumped in the driver's seat. Nervous would be more apt. However when AJ stepped out in jeans and a polo shirt, he was the spitting image of cool, calm and collected.

"Hey you," he said as she got into his car.

"Hi," she flashed him a smile. "Thanks for doing this again."

"No prob" he started the car.

AJ whispered a quick prayer to heaven and then they were off. The glasses were rolled up and they were sitting in enjoyable air-condition, not that AJ was enjoying it, it was really the life.

"So why do you that,"

"Huh!" AJ turned to face the brunette beside her, "do what?"

"You say some stuff when you get into the car before we can set off. Is it a charm or something cause then I won't feel bad jumping out and leaving you in here by yourself."

She laughed, just a small one, and Reese was pleased.

"I was praying," she noticed the slightly blank look on his face and continued. " I like to ask God to protect me and help me do as He wills before I leave."

"Ah, I see." He was confused 'why would a pretty girl like her believe in a God that couldn't possibly be there?' It wasn't possible scientifically and they both were science students. 'So why did she?' Why did it bother him so?

"So where to Monsieur?" She asked him with the slightest of smiles adorned on her face

"Well Mademoiselle, we are off to the campus first then to your church hunting. Sound good?"

"Great," she replied.

They laughed.
***
"So how did you find the tour?" Reese asked when they got to the car after the tour.

"It wasn't that great," she drawled out with a twinkle in her dark eyes. "Maybe it was the tour guide."

"Hey!" Reese exclaimed. He shoved her shoulder lightly.

AJ laughed, " let's go church hunting."

She pulled out her phone after another whisper prayer. Her fingers stared flying over the screen while Reese adjusted his sunglasses and smoothed down his hair.

"Do you know where Dowe is?" She asked.

"Yeah."

"So..." She motioned forward with her hands.

"Oh right," he chuckled and started the car.
***
After 15 minutes of driving, the blue, shiny Cadillac pulled into the out skirts of Dowe.

"Well this church is found on 5th avenue, Madri street. Do you know where that is?"

"Yeah, are you sure this is your first time in Cera?"

"Mhm why?"

"You are directing me to a specific church."

Smiling, she adjusted her glasses and spoke, " my brother sent me the deets."

"Right, so which building?"

"Ah that my friend I don't know," they laughed. " It's called faith. Now we have to look for Hope."

They drove around asking for the directions to Hope and finally were directed to a large white building.

"Come on, let's go," AJ was excited and could hardly suppress her energy.

They quickly walked, or Reese did and AJ kinda skipped, into the church. At first glance it looked empty, but they heard talking coming from a door up ahead on the right. They walked over and popped their heads through the door way. Reese's leg hit the door and he grunted.

The group of people stopped their discussion to check on the disturbance. A dark,young man walked toward them and announced, " You are welcome to Hope and we are having small meeting for the youth group."

AJ thought the voice and face sounded and looked familiar.

"My name is Moses Akintunde and I'm a youth leader in this church."

"Mayo!" AJ exclaimed. "It's me, AJ."

"AJ," Moses came forward and engulfed her into a bone crushing hug. "No one told me you were coming to Cera and now you are in my church. You have to come more often."

"Slow down and you're killing me," gasped AJ.

All the members of the youth group present, AJ and Moses laughed. Reese didn't. He tried hard to wipe off the scowl that was threatening to come on his face. It only became a smile once AJ beckoned him closer to her.

"Mind if we join you for a bit,"

"No problem," Moses grinned.

***

The meeting was over and the youth group dispersed.

"So how did you find us?"

"Well it was great. You know, when Jason told me about this church he didn't mention you where in it."

Moses towered over AJ and was roughly the same height as Reese. He also wore glasses, had dark skin, dark hair and dark eyes that sparkled as he talked to AJ. He laughed and a tiny dimple appeared in his left cheek.

"Who is your friend and why haven't you introduced us?" He asked smiling over at Reese.

"Oh sorry," AJ's eyes widened. "Moses I'd like you to meet Reese Parker. Moani introduced us. Reese this is Moses, we went to a few years in school together."

"Nice to meet you," Moses extended his hand to Reese. Reese took it and replied with a nod.

"So will you come tomorrow God willing?"

"Hmm, I'll see. I don't have a car right now so it will be tough."

" I could pick you up if you want.." Moses suggested.

"No, that's all right. I'll bring her," Reese interrupted. " Come on AJ,I'm pretty sure Mo wants us back early."

"Okay, I'll be there in a sec."

He nodded to Moses and started of to the door.

"Looks like I'm coming tomorrow," she answered with a bright smile noting the confusion written all over her friend's face.

"Come here." He hugged her again and whispered in her ear before she could pull away," Don't stop praying otherwise you will fall into temptation. Mark 14:38 and Luke 22:46."

She pulled away to look at her friend, "True but why do you say?"

He shrugged and smiled, " I felt I had to tell you. Bye your friend is waiting for you."

AJ smiled at him, waved and ran off where Reese was waiting for her.

<Mark 14:38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.>
<Luke 22:46b Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.>

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Well, how was it? I apologize for the long delay but I was so busy with camps and youth week. I'm also trying out a different way of presenting my chapters. Feel free to vote, share, comment or not. Feedback would be much appreciated and any questions please feel free to ask. Thanks and God bless you.
~A.H 😊