Dear Jesus,

It was a deep struggle for all of us to end our time of worship, but after almost two hours of intense Spirit-led worship and prayers, we were released. It was simply ethereal.

Besides, the scorching sun, blazing high up in the sky, would have defied any further attempt to stay.

"Hallelujah!" A deep voice, which I'd recognize anywhere as my Dad's, said. I swirled and saw him just behind our little gathering. I gave him a sweet smile.
He looked proud of us all.

"This is the generation of they that seek you, Lord," he said. My lips exploded into a wide grin.

He came closer to us and we all greeted him. Dad recognized Nathan immediately I told Dad his name during their introduction.

"You're Pastor Victor Fremont's son, Healing Assembly, right?" Dad said as he shook Nathan's hand firmly.

"Yes sire," Nathan replied, smiling as always. He was just a few inches taller than my Dad and had to bow slightly as he answered. It's funny what an advantage being a teenager can be.

"Wow! You're all grown up now. The last time I saw you were toddling. Just look how well you've grown."

Nathan was all smiles, with his tanned face creased at the edges of his eyes and mouth.

"My regards to your family. Tell your Dad that I'll see Him soon. We have something to discuss."

"I'll let him know sir."

"Ken, we have to go now!" Mom's musical voice floated towards us as she strode into the garden.

"Mom! You're still here? Aren't you already late for the Choir rehearsal?" I exclaimed. She was supposed to have gone some hours ago.

"I told Mrs Freda to anchor the rehearsal. We're going to the airport," she replied me.

And click! that was when I recalled that Aunt June and Hirena are to arrive today. Excited chills travelled up my spine. I could help but grin. Oh what fun we'll have together!

"You stay at home. You're still recuperating. Besides, you must entertain your friends."

After waving goodbye at my parents, I hurried back into the house to meet my friends.

Thankfully, the electric supply was kinda steady today. I put on the TV and channel surfed until I found a station where a Christian movie was playing.

Actually, that was just for courtesy's sake. Majority of the group were content to talk and gist, particularly Genevie. She was super excited that she's filled with the Spirit. It took quite some time before she was able to come around, for she had lain prostrate on grass and sang in tongues for a long time.

Excusing myself from the living room, I shuffled into the kitchen, put some fresh fruits and juice into a tray. It wasn't anything fancy. Just some apples, oranges, a bunch of bananas and some strawberries.

My Mom is a strong advocate of fruits and veggies. Never will the house be bare of these "necessities for healthy survival", as my Mom would say.

They were happy, relieved even,q went I tabled it. It was almost 4:00pm. Fruits was the best food to break their fast. They all dived into the tray and picked the one they preferred.

I settled for bananas.

John was glancing surreptitiously my way, like he wanted to talk to me.

I was tempted to ask him why he was stealing glances at me like that but I restrained myself. Whatever might be the reason, I'd rather not know. I'm still recovering from the bruises of my slip about him. Lord help me.

I tried to flow with the conversation but my mind was anticipating Hirena's arrival. I couldn't help but smile when I remembered how we both have had numerous adventures as kids and teens.
Plus, she's a Christian too, I can assume. Last year when she came visiting she seemed to have enjoyed the church program.
I just don't know how strong her faith is now.
I can't wait to tell her I'm now yours for real.

"Why are you grinning at nothing in particular?" John who was seated in a chair opposite me asked abruptly, jerking me out of my daydream.

"Uh?" I mumbled, coming back into the present.

That was when I noticed that seven pairs of eyes were fixed on me. Had I been asked a question?

"So- Sorry guys. I guess... I blanked out. Um, did you ask me something?" I stuttered out, all the while trying to avoid the piercing gaze of one grey-eyed boy sitting opposite me.

"I was asking you to collect their contacts and add them to our WeChat group," Kathy reiterated.

"Oh my! Why didn't I think of that before. That's a great idea. No problem."

I quickly whispered into Kathy's ears, "Thanks."

She gave me the peace sign.

"We have to change the name of our group," Priscilla pointed out.

"Um... I think so too. Jesus freaks isn't actually classy for us," I added.

We had actually chosen that group name to confirm the speculations of those who used it spite us in Charios High, albeit covertly.

Now, I guess the purpose has changed. It has changed to Your purpose.

"Let's name it Holy Priesthood," John said. I looked at him as he spoke, shocked at how fast he had thought out that awesomely perfect name.

"I think that's an fantastic cause. I mean, it suits why we gather. We're holy and we're priests and priestesses of God," Grace said, backing him up.

"And, this morning, my devotion was from 1 Peter 2:5. Maybe that's why the Holy Spirit allowed that word to pop out of my mouth. I actually didn't have anything in mind," John continued. Ooh! Now I got it. It was all you, Holy Spirit, working behind the scenes.

"That's perfect," said I.

"So... John you're now an admin, add the scripture refrence. Nathan, you also an admin," I said, tapping the screen of my android, happy that I was delegating duties while at the same time craftily excusing myself.
He he he!

"Kathy, you help with the designing of a cool group picture," I said.

"Yay! That's as easy a pie." Kathy gave me a wink. Yo, miss arty. Of course that's a piece of cake for you.

"For the rest of us, we pray and fight!" I called, excitement and adventure pumping through my veins.

"Yeah, pray and fight for Jesus," we all chorused as we put hands together and burst into cheers and claps.

It felt like we were a GGG (good guys gang). Yeah, I know nothing of such exists. I just thought it would be cool to start making up my own acronyms.
As I was saying... A GGG, a family. The same blood flows through our veins, spiritually. Your precious blood, Jesus.

"Have you guys heard that our SCE results will be released by Monday?" Felicia said, massaging her knees.

"Whaaaattt?" My nerves came alive. Oh Lord, it's already two week after.

"Are you scared? That's how these geeks will be pretending to be dullards. Hmmmph!" Genevie said.

"I'm just nervous."

"We all are, but we'll not fail. We all did our best. The rest is up to God," Nathan encouraged.

By 4:00pm, they all began to leave.

Kathy decided to stay with me to keep me from being lonely. I mean, the whole house was as silent as a graveyard.

Is that an eerie description? Well, I guess that's what happens to a human being in flesh and blood who knows that demons are lurking in shadows waiting for you to fall so they can pounce.

And, Jesus don't take offense. I totally believe that you're always with me. You're a friend that sticks closer than a brother, a hundred percent.

I guess I just craved Kathy's company. She's not a bore. She's as exciting as a kaleidoscope.
Even if we don't talk, it's like there's an unspoken current of words flowing between us.

Together, we went up into my room to put finishing touches on our painting and clean the whole place up.

We were washing dishes together when it occurred to me that I hadn't told Kathy about Trisha.

"Trisha is going to come for the vigil," I said quickly, lest the thought flew away as swiftly as it dropped into my mind.

"Really?" Kathy's eyebrows shot up as she stood arms akimbo. "How come?"

"I forgot to tell you how I met her at Sarafoods one day. Unfortunately that was the day she and Max broke up. Long story short, I invited her"

"Wow! I can't believe it. I mean, the school queen was dumped? I hope she comes for the program," Kathy said. She was helping me to put away the dishes she had rinsed.

"I sent her the invite card already. Please pray that she'll meet Christ. She's still really heartbroken about her breakup with Max."

One particular pot had soot on its back. I was vigorously scrubbing at it, wishing it would just suddenly disappear and that the pot would turn all sparkly.

I added more scrubbing powder. Mom mustn't find out I overused it. She's the best frugalist I have ever come across. Nothing should be wasted.

"I will. It's my desire that all our school mates come to know Jesus," Kathy said. She used a napkin to wipe off the trail that water had left on our kitchen cabinet.

The honk of my parent's car resounded and I panicked slightly. Kathy smiled at me in reassurance.

I ran out of the kitchen to open the door, careful lest I trip and fall in full drama style.

And here came Hirena! It was as if every other thing faded out as I beheld the slim features of my cousin slip out the Jeep's door.

I looked at her. She did ditto.

The light green top she wore complimented her eyes, which is the same colour as her European dad's.

I squealed. She squealed. We could have as well been twins performing a live choreography.

I ran and pulled her into a tight hug. She smelt the same. Of roses and cinnamon.

"I've missed you, girl!" she said in her soft European accent.

"Me too, Rena!" I called her the nickname I usually called her when we were little. It was because my little self could not properly pronounce her name fully.

Woof! Jerry's light bark sounded. His tail thumped against Hirena's bell-bottom jeans.

Jerry is like Hirena's golden companion. Everywhere she goes, he follows.

"Aww..." I cooed as I stooped down.

"Who's a cute little doggie? You are," I said as I patted and stroked his soft furry head.

He licked my face and I giggled. Great! Now I smelt of fresh dog breath.

I stood up and wanted to introduce Kathy to Hirena. But I was shut up by what I saw.

Kathy was looking shocked and had a blank expression I had never seen on her face before. She was staring straight at Hirena's face as though she has just seen a ghost.

When Hirena took one look at Kathy, I knew something was up because Hirena's eye narrowed almost into slits when she saw my bestie.

"Whoa whoa, guys... Do you know each other?" I asked, confused by the scene unfolding before me. This wasn't a good start.

"Well, well well... If it ain't miss 'runaway from the mess she created'. Kathlyn Taylor. Is this where you came to hide?" Hirena spat in a tone of unadulterated disgust I had never heard her use before.

"Hello Hirena!" Kathy said flatly, her expression void.

I was about to comment when Aunt June scooped me off my feet and swirled me before dropping me back.

I greeted her, breathless and flushed.
She's still the same Aunt June. All fussing, musical, garden-loving, like my Mom.

"Ray, I have to go now..." Kathy whispered into my ears.

"I thought you'd wait for dinner!"

"Let her go! It's her nature to run off with her tail between her legs like the traitor she is," Hirena interjected into our conversation.

The tension was almost chocking. The adults had already gone inside by then. This wasn't what I expected? I thought Kathy and Hirena would get along smoothly. Not this.

Kathy looked on the verge of tears.

"I thought you'd have forgiven and forgotten, Hirena..." Kathy said, her voice thick with emotions bottled in.

"Apparently, I haven't." With that, Hirena entered in, pulling a now whimpering Jerry after her.

The door slammed with a resounding thud.

***********
Hi fellas!😃 Hope you've been good? 😁

I'm so sorry for the late update. A few things cropped up, coupled with the fact that my school's online classes are now in full swing.

A massive thank you to all my lovelies who voted for and supported this story. 🤗
Can you believe that 'A Pastor's Daughter Diary' is now ranked #1 in both Christianfiction and pastorsdaughter tags?
I'm so happy and I give all glory to Jesus who is my backbone.💃

I love you all, but Jesus loves you more. Don't ever forget that.🤩