------------------------------------------------------
“It takes a great deal of courage to stand up to your enemies, but even more to stand up to your friends.”
J.K. Rowling
------------------------------------------------------

Jules

"Once again, I am deeply sorry I wasn't able to attend your husband's burial." I mentally roll my eyes as Father Nathaniel apologizes for probably the hundredth time since Mom and I entered his office.

I sigh inwardly as my mom cuts him short by giving the same response as she had the last ninety-nine times: a vigorous shake of the head.

I further sink into the chair in frustration as it becomes obvious to me that the only reason Mom had insisted I come see the priest with her was simply to give me a butt-numbing punishment.

"Father, you went to India to do God's work. So who am I to say I have a problem with that? If you had left those souls that needed to be saved just to come to my husband's burial, I would have been severely angry at you." To my relief, Mom finally adds. At least this conversation has now surpassed vigorous shaking of the head.

Father Nathaniel gives my mom a somewhat sad smile. Then the dreaded moment comes.

He looks in my direction. "Jules."

"You know my daughter?" Mom asks, accusation and surprise clear in her tone of voice. It is also clear who the accusation tone is meant for.

Father Nathaniel nods, slightly shifting forward in his seat as he folds his arm on the desk. "God used me for her once."

Then the accusation in Mom's voice becomes evident on her face as she turns in her seat to face me. "You never told me."

"And why would I? It's not like I knew he was a priest in your church." I snap out of frustration of sitting idly for so long.

An awkward silence dominates the room and to my further annoyance, the priest gives me a reproachful look. Then he clears his throat and returns his attention to both of us.

"I won't try to sugarcoat things by saying Mr. Lee Kim-hyun's death isn't a tragedy. It is a big tragedy to the church, his true friends and most especially, you, his family. But no matter how painful it is for us all, we must hold on to the hope that he's gone to a better place, and that when we die, we shall see him again."

"Thank you, Father." Mom says somberly.

"The most high be thanked. Now, let me pray for you," He says and stretches both hands for my mom and I to hold. Mom immediately places her hand in his but I hesitate because, all of a sudden, I got scared.

Scared that he's not someone I should feel anything for but I might feel a spark if there's the slightest contact between us.

Scared that my stupid heart might start to beat faster if our hands touch.

Scared that I might fall head over heels for the completely wrong person.

When both the priest and my mom start staring at me in expectation, I resign to fate and slowly, in the unsure manner of a baby taking its very first steps, I lay my hand in his. And wait for the electric-like feeling...

But the only thing I feel is the coldness of his palm against mine.

I wait some more but still.. nothing.

Wait, what!

As he starts to pray, different thoughts dance in my head.

Does that mean that I have no feelings for the priest? That all my fears have been for nothing?

Relief floods through me as I come to the realization that all my fears have been for nothing.

This makes me realize something: the only reason I was attracted in the first place was because he was nice, good-looking and something I couldn't have. And not because my heart wants his heart or anything.

"May the comforter comfort you, Mrs. Lee," Father Nathaniel says as the prayer comes to an end, holding my mom's hand with both of his.

"Thank you, Father. We will take your leave now," Mom says, her hand already on the door handle.

"Actually, I would love to speak with my child here for a few moments."

"No problem, Father."

My eyes go wide with both irritation and shock at Father Nathaniel's reference to me.

Did he just call me his child?

I see him briefly look in my direction and I swear he smirks.

Are priests even allowed to smirk?

There must be some rule forbidding priests, especially gorgeous ones from smirking.

Mom briefly gives me a look that screams "Curious!" before finally leaving us alone.

"For a priest, you are waaaay too playful." I tell him immediately my mom left. "On a serious note, how would you be able to turn down advances if you're this playful?"

"I'm a priest."

I narrow my eyes at him. Does he think I don't know that? "O..kay."

"And I never plan on getting into any unholy relationship with a woman.. or man ever in my life." Then he gently places his palm on his heart. "This heart belongs to God. But I do hope you find so much happiness in someone else that you never have time to think of me.' That's the speech I give my admirers and they all back off."

I nod as I ruminate his words. "Isn't it wrong to tease a woman with what she can't have though?"

"I tease no one as doing that would be a sin. Which is why I never spend this much time alone with the opposite sex, especially one who claims to.. well.. admire me."

"Then why am I still here. Cos I look like I don't admire you?"

He only smiles in reply. "I have a gift for you," he says instead as he carries a black box from his desk drawer and places it right before me.

I narrow my eyes at him, both in suspicion and curiosity. "And what is that?"

"Open it."

He laughs at my hesitation which makes me annoyed. And without any further thought, I open it.

And voila, I find a pocket sized Bible staring back at me with the words "Read me."

Ugh! What else did I expect? He is a priest, after all.

"I own one."

"Sorry?"

"A Bible. I own a Bible."

He turns down his lips in a way that would have made me laugh if not for my occupied mind. "I know. But do you own a pocket sized one?"

"Well..."

He shakes his head, amusement dancing all over his features and proceeds to take out the Bible and place it in my arms. I see him take out an equally pocket sized jotter in the box.

"In here," He slightly raises the book up, "I have written all the chapters and verses you need to read from this very day till the end of this year." He hands over the jotter to me.

"I am fine." I assure him as I take the jotter from him.

He looks at me in confusion.

"I just realized the only reason you're spending this time you're meant to be doing something else with me is to see how well I am handling my father's death. And I really appreciate it. Honestly, It's not been easy. But I am doing fine."

He looks elated at my words. "You have no idea how happy I am to hear that. Remember that whenever you feel down or like the pain is too much to bear, just pour your heart to God and he will send his spirit to comfort you."

"Thank you, Father."

"And Jules?"

"Hmm, Father?"

"Please read it."

My mouth falls open in awe. Just how on Earth did he know I wasn't going to open it let alone read it?

"It will make me very happy if you do. Not only that, the more you read it, the more you find happiness and comfort in reading the word. And the more you draw closer to your creator."

I only give him a sheepish look.

"Jules," he calls fondly, "You weren't planning to read it, were you?"

I shake my head in the negative while twisting my fingers together like a nervous little girl. "But I will now," I quickly add. "I should leave."

"You are the coolest Father I've ever met," I tell him with a wink as I stand up.

He chuckles adorably. "Come to Mass often.. And take care of your mother."

At the second statement, I halt my steps towards the door.

"Please," he adds when I remain silent.

I take a deep breath before answering. "I will."

If she allows me to, I add in my mind.

"Took you long enough," Margot comments immediately I get into the car.

"So sorry. The priest had a lot to say."

"The priest, hmm?" Margot says, raising her eyebrow at me.

I give her a "I have no idea what you're talking about" look.

"Your mom just zoomed off. Probably doesn't want you to know she's also been waiting."

"That's new," I comment before turning to Metisha who hasn't uttered a single word since I got in. "Hey, why so quiet?" I receive no response whatsoever and give her a quick tap.

She visibly jerks back like someone who had just been rudely woken up. "What is it?"

"Nothing. Was only wondering why you were so silent?"

"Oh, sorry. Was just deep in thoughts," she ends her statement with a smile that appears forced.

"Uh.. and what could you be thinking about that you didn't even know when Jules got here?" Margot asks as the car starts to move.

At Margot's question, she doesn't answer but only looks away. And throughout the ride, Metisha avoids my gaze and keeps on trying to act like as if I'm not even present in the car.

Just what the heck is wrong with her?

----------------------------------------------------
Is this leading to where I think it's leading to? The end of Jules' and Metisha's friendship?

Well, I guess that's left to fate...

PS: IT'S A DOUBLE UPDATE!!!