(Amy Dawson Above) 

(Friday Evening)

Rachel's POV (Surprise!) 

I was so happy that Carson was coming with Kyle and I to youth. Maybe he'll reach the Lord before we graduate. I saw Emily and Eli talking to each other, along with Amy, as Kyle parked the car in the parking lot. "Look, Amy's back!" Kyle exclaimed and jumped out of the car. I giggled as I saw him run up to her and hug her. Carson laughed. "No one told me that Kyle had a girlfriend?" he said. I laughed. "Well, they're not officially dating, but they have chemistry." I said. Carson looked at me with a smile. "What about you?" he asked me. I shrugged. "I don't know, I'll have to wait and see." I said and got out of the car. 

No one knows about my feelings toward Carson, not even my mother. My brother has his suspicions, but I deny it each time. "Hey, wait up!" Carson yelled after me, but not loud enough for everyone to hear. I smiled and turned around. He slammed the backdoor closed and run to me. "Um, I'm having second thoughts." he said, gesturing to youth. I squinted at him. "Social anxiety?" I asked. He cocked an eyebrow at me. "What? No, I just -- I'm not sure this is my thing." he said. I shrugged. "Well, you'll never know until you go." I said and smiled. He sighed and nodded. We walked up to Emily, Eli, Kyle and Amy. "Hey guys, this is Carson. I'm sure Emily and Eli recognise him." I said. Emily smiled at him and held out her hand. "Hey, I'm Emily." she introduced herself. "And this is Eli, my twin, as I'm sure you can see." she added with a smile. Carson chuckled and gestured to the twins. "Yeah." he said. I smiled. He was getting on with people. Eli looked at me and gestured that I speak with him alone. I smiled at Carson. "I'll be right back." I said and left him with the group. 

Eli lead me into the lobby of the church, just outside the Youth Hall. "What is he doing here?" he asked me. I looked at him, frustrated. "Eli, he needs the Lord. I'm trying to save him." I said. Eli rolled his eyes. "Yes, I get that, but since when were you so close to him?" he asked. I shrugged. "I got to know him when he moved in with us. He needs support. Please don't give him any looks tonight. He's more unsure than he looks." I said and walked away from him. I walked out of the doors and back to the group. "What was that about?" Emily asked me. I shrugged. "Beats me," I said. She nodded, but she knew what happened. She knew her brother too well. He wasn't as judgemental as he seemed, he's just a really cautious person. "Come on, it's about to start." I said and led Carson and Emily into the building, Amy and Kyle following closely. 

We walked into the Youth Hall and took our seats. We sat there talking and joking around until Brian got up on the stage and greeted us. "Hey guys, how're you doing?" he asked us. "Great!" I yelled along with everyone else, therefore mixing our voices together and creating a babble. He laughed. "I hope that was a positive response," he laughed. We laughed back at him. Brian started talking about how the evening would play out. I turned to look at Carson. He looked tense. He was biting his bottom lip, which was slightly amusing. Suddenly, he leaned forward and started playing with the bands on his wrists. I smiled. He looked so unsure of himself, yet he was the most amazing and strongest person I knew. I laid my hand on his knee. He jumped slightly and looked up at me. I gave him a reassuring smile, hoping he could read the message within my eyes. He sent me a small smile then returned to playing with the bands on his wrists. "Alright, let's get our worship team up here." Brian bellowed out and then gave the stage to the worship team.

I got up and walked away from Carson. I walked onto stage and took my place behind the microphone. I watched Carson's facial expression change from nervous to confused and shocked. I smiled at him and waited for the music to start playing. We started singing One Thing Remains. Amy and Emily were beside me, along with Mike and James. I sang along with my friends, as I did every Friday evening, but this time it was different. Carson was here, witnessing it. I watched his facial expressions throughout the song. At one point, I thought I almost saw him tearing up. I couldn't stop the smile from playing on my lips, just thinking about the idea of him getting saved. I watched as Kyle turned to Carson and they started talking. Kyle had his hand on Carson's shoulder and he held Carson's other hand. Brian looked up at me and smiled, nodding his head in approval. I stopped singing, because I couldn't stop the laughter. I put a hand over my mouth and started tearing up. Carson was being saved! 

Brian joined Kyle and started praying with Carson. Carson was repeating the words that they were saying. I saw the tears stream down his face as a smile made its way to his lips. I felt this fire in my soul. I started singing along again. I looked to Emily and Amy. They were smiling as widely as I was. The three of us started clapping along. 

Your love never fails 

It never gives up 

It never runs out on me 

Your love never fails

It never gives up 

It never runs out on me 

Your love never fails

It never gives up

It never runs out on me

I looked back to Carson, Brian and Kyle. They were still praying, but Carson opened his eyes and looked up at me. He smiled at me, gratitude shining in his eyes. But gratitude wasn't the only shining in eyes, the love of God was also there; shining brighter than the sun itself. I looked at him and I felt this connection, as if God himself was telling me that I did a good job. I smiled as I carried on singing along. Carson closed his eyes and carried on praying with Brian and Kyle. I looked to Amy, who was crying her eyes out. I smiled at her. She smiled back, so widely that it looked as if it hurt. The people in the room were had all noticed the scene and were all smiling and I noticed other people being saved as well. This never usually happened here, so it was quite a shock to us. I never knew how many unsaved people attended here each Friday. I knew now. 

If I were to honest with myself, that was the best moment I had ever experienced. 

~&~

Carson, Kyle and I walked into our home after youth. Our parents always went out on a Friday evening for their 'date-of-the-week'. "So how are we going to celebrate?" Kyle asked excited. Carson and I laughed, but walked into the kitchen. "Let's just make something to eat. I'm starving!" I exclaimed. They agreed and started talking about something to do with football. I walked over to the cupboard and picked out three bowls. I placed them on the island and then walked to the fridge. I opened the freezer and grabbed the large tub of ice cream. "Ice cream?" I offered and held up the tub. Both of the boys' eyes nearly shot out of their sockets and they nodded their heads wildly. I giggled and placed it on the counter. I served them each a large bowl of ice-cream. I slid the bowls toward them and they devoured it shortly afterwards. "Thanks," they both said. I shook my head. 

"You know, if you boys keep eating so much, we're going to be out of food a lot faster than in the past." I said and laughed. They smiled at me and slid their bowls toward me for seconds. I rolled my eyes. "So, am I a Christian now?" Carson asked. "Yes you are. You'll need to learn a few things, but you'll get it sooner or later." Kyle said briefly. I shook my head as I scooped some ice-cream with a spoon. "That's one way to put it, but people who became Christians 3 years ago are still learning, so don't feel pressured about anything." I said. Carson nodded, but looked puzzled. I sighed and put down the spoon. "Carson, we're all here if you have any questions so please don't hesitate to ask." I said looking him in the eyes. He looked up into my eyes, smiled and nodded. "Yeah, I know. I'm just thinking about something." He said and started playing with his hands. I served the boys some more ice-cream and then slid them there bowls. 

"Well, I know it's like really early, but I'm exhausted. I'm going to turn in." Carson said. I nodded. "I understand. Have a good nights sleep." I said. We all said our goodnight's and Carson left the kitchen. "Wait, Carson?" I called after him and ran out of the kitchen and into the doorway of the staircase where Carson was. He turned to me. "Yeah?" he asked. I smiled and placed my hand on his shoulder. "Welcome to the family," she said. He smiled at me and gave me a tight hug. We stayed like that for a while, until he let go and went off to bed and this time -- I didn't stop him. I walked back into the kitchen. Kyle smiled at me. "Well, do you think it's okay to date him now?" he asked me. I shook my head. "I think it's okay to date him, but that doesn't mean I'm going to." I said back as I picked up the ice-cream bowls and placed them in the sink full of dirty dishes.

 Kyle walked up to the sink and started running hot water into the empty side of the sink, which we use to rinse the dishes. "But don't you like Carson?" he asked me. I sighed and nodded. "I am attracted to him, but I want him to grow closer to the Lord before I get closer to him." I said. Kyle sighed and nodded. "Yes, I agree." he said and turned off the hot water tap. "What do you think about Amy Dawson? Do you think she'd go out with me?" he asked me. I cocked an eyebrow at him. "She's awesome, she's pretty, she's kind - she's perfect for you. Why aren't you two dating yet?" I asked him, confused. He chuckled and shook his head. "I don't even know. I never asked her out." he said. I shook my head. "Kyle, you need to make it official with her. Ask her out, there's no way she'll say no." I said. He smiled and nodded. "Yeah, thanks sis." he said. I smiled. 

I heard the front door opening and my parent's voices fill the living room. "Mom, dad!" I yelled and ran toward them. My parents smiled at me, but they were confused at my unusual greeting. "What is it, Rachel?" my father asked me. I couldn't stop laughing and smiling. "It's Carson, he was saved at youth tonight!" I said. My mother started crying happy tears and my father couldn't stop the smile creeping up onto his lips. "Where is he?" my father asked. I pointed upstairs. "He's sleeping." I said. "And I was thinking about getting him a bible, since his birthday is next week." I said. My mother smiled and nodded. "Yes, I think that's a good idea. I saw the most beautiful bible at the store we were just at. I think Carson would like it." she suggested. I smiled and ran into their arms. "This is great!" I said. Kyle soon joined us and we all ended up in a family hug.