"Doesn't it feel so good to have devotions and pray together?!" Ruth squealed as we both stood up from our praying position. "You don't how long I've been praying and longing for this day" She wrapped her arms around me and jumped lightly.

I laughed and wrapped my arms around her as well. "I never actually thought of it, but it feels really good to pray with someone" I affirmed and she wiggled her eyebrows mischievously.

"I really can't wait for you to start speaking in tongues. You already have it obviously, I'm just waiting for your utterance!" She exclaimed as she let go of me and I frowned.

"Tongues? What's that?" She smiled and shook her head, "Come on! Tell me!" I grabbed her arm and shook it slightly, "just tell me" I insisted but she shook her head.

"I'll leave that to the president, it's his duty" She wiggled her hand out of my hold and I pouted. "But... I'll give you one clue" A big smile immediately broke out on my face and I inched closer to her, "Tongues is in the book of Acts and it's explained in 1 Corinthians 14"

"Not the clue I looking for but thank you, darling," I said and she bumped our shoulders together.

"It's nothing. Now come on, let's head to our classes, it's almost 8" I nodded and we both quickly packed our school bags, before we walked out together.

We usually walked together to class even though we studied different things. She studied fine arts while I studied psychology. Our walk to class had become a daily routine, something that we were already used to, but there was a sense of newness in our walk today. A freshness and closeness that wasn't there before, "I'm going to believe that prayer is the reason there's this sense of closeness and newness this morning" I pointed out and she bobbed her head rapidly.

"Life with God and prayers make things anew every second" she affirmed with a big smile on her face and I found myself smiling widely in return,

"Thank you for coming into my life" we both chorused and chuckled the next moment, "you've spent too much time with me" Ruth pointed out and I bobbed my head in agreement. I have.

We both linked our arms together and shot a smile at each other before we continued our walk to school in silence. Once we got there, I noticed Ruth's eyes immediately sweep the hallway and a corner of my lips tugged up in a smile. There was a certain group of people we were bound to bump into now and then, and she was undoubtedly looking for one person in that group.

I cleared my throat and looked around the hallway with feigned interest, "guess the second most beautiful boy isn't here for you to bicker with" I said and she audibly gasped.

"Who said I was looking for Gabriel?"

"I didn't even say you were looking for him" I pointed out and a look of horror crossed her face, "good to see you expose yourself" I teased and her face turned red. I cooed and grabbed her face, "Now I see why he always bickers with you, you're so cute when you blush"

She immediately snapped her head up to me and glared, "You think I don't see you when you blush at Zadkiel's words either?"

"I'm black" I deadpanned and she glared.

"Doesn't mean I don't notice! I'm leaving, you're suddenly so annoying this morning" she huffed and walked away with a pout, but I stood rooted at my spot with a smile on my face. She might be acting angry but she wouldn't walk out without telling me her magic words. "Be safe and have fun in class! Bye Jophy pie" she called out with a big smile, just like I expected and I waved at her.

"Bye Ruthie, have fun too" I replied and walked away to my class with a big smile on my face.

The professor walked in a few minutes after I was seated and lectures emerged immediately, and I found myself enjoying everything he was teaching and taking it all in with a better understanding than normal. "Is this what happens when you believe in God and accept him into your life?" I asked, amazed at how different everything felt.

"No, this is what happens when you give your burdens to the Lord. You see the world and go through the world, differently" I heard the voice of the spirit, but this time around not audibly and I smiled. This time, it came as a thought but I knew it was him.

"Thank you, sweet Lord" I mumbled and diverted my attention to my lectures once again

Classes breezed through faster and better than I expected, and before I knew it, it was already lunch break. As if on cue, my stomach growled when the lecturer walked out of class and I shook my head, "nice one, body system" I teased and began packing up for lunch. I was almost done packing when someone walked up to me.

"Good afternoon." He greeted and I turned to him, "Miss Jophiel, right?" He asked and I nodded sceptically,  "Oh good, Miss Gloria wants to see you in her office now" My mind immediately went to the last time she requested for me just to send me on an errand and I smiled. Last time I had freaked out but it turned out to be nothing, there was no need to worry now.

"Alright, thank you. I'll go and see her now" The boy nodded and immediately waltzed off, while I quickly packed my bag and rushed out to go and see her. I walked over to her office freely, the journey didn't feel any different than me walking to class this morning. But the moment, I got to the hallway of her office my heart increased its pace and drummed loudly in my chest.

My steps got heavier and my palms got sweaty. What if she wasn't calling me this time to send me on an errand? What if she was calling me about the issue I'd rather act like I didn't have? I gulped as I stood before the door of her office and I wiped my sweaty palms on my skirt. "Yeshua, I commit this into your hands" I muttered and knocked on the door.

"Who's there?" Her familiar voice asked and my stomach churned.

"It's Jophiel," I said and a long silence ensured.

"Come in," she said in a low tone and I immediately opened the door and walked in.

To my greatest relief, the two people I desperately want to avoid weren't there and I let out a breath but my relief was short-lived. Miss Gloria who always had a smile on her face, wore a frown this time around and had me shifting my weight from one foot to another. "Good afternoon ma'am" I greeted and she gestured to the seat.

"Good afternoon, please take a seat" I immediately complied and took a seat. "How have your classes been? I'm sure you must have scratched the surface of your course"

"Yes ma" I nodded eagerly, "classes have been okay, I enjoy it more than I thought I would"

She smiled warmly at me and my nerves eased. "That's good. I'm impressed" She paused and readjusted her glasses, "I called you here to discuss the issue that has been at hand for a week now" Fear immediately engulfed me but I plastered a small smile on my face and nodded.

"I could have taken this to the board so the issue can be discussed, but each time I try, I feel like I should wait a little longer. I know it's the Lord trying to intervene on your behalf, so I'm doing this for him and you" She paused and released a deep breath, "Why did you lie, Jophiel? You said Yeshua sent you here, you had no parents nor surname, why? Please be honest this time"

I gulped and lowered my gaze, how could I tell her the truth about everything? What if she thinks I'm lying again? I glanced at her and immediately lowered my gaze again, "I..." I began but the words got stuck in my throat, I can't let her know.

"I didn't lie, ma'am" I looked up slowly and she arched a brow, "about Yeshua sending me here. I didn't lie about that, Zadkiel is my witness"

"What about the others? Did you also not lie about those other ones?" I gulped and shook my head.

"I did, but I had my reasons, ma'am. I really did have my reason"

"Please let me know the reason, what happened? What made you lie about your parents?"

I closed my eyes as the horrid memories flashed through my head. I had told Ruth the story so easily, so why can't I speak up now? "I.." my voice cracked and I inhaled sharply, "I can't say, ma'am. Please, please... It's too much for me to say" I pleaded and her gaze softened.

She removed her glasses and pinched the spot between her brows. "I want to help you, Jophiel, but I can't do that if you don't let me in. You have to tell me" She held my hand and a sob rippled out of my throat.

"I can't... I really can't and I don't know why!" I sobbed and her hold on me tightened.

"We can't keep you here against your parent's will. Even if I want to, I can't unless you let me know what happened" she pleaded and I shook my head, I can't. She sighed and bobbed her head. "A meeting has been scheduled with your parents in 7 days. They'd be here and whatever they say is final. You can take that time to think over your decision, okay?"

"You're dismissed now, Jophiel" She drew back and immediately put on her glasses. I watched her revert into Miss Gloria, the principal of the school and not the woman pleading with me a while ago and I shakily stood up from the chair and nodded.

I quickly rushed out of the room afterwards, and once I was out, I collapsed on the floor and cried. Tears haphazardly streamed down my face while my shoulders shook violently. I already knew the outcome, they were going to take me back and there's absolutely nothing I can do about it.

"Except say the truth" my mind reminded me and I shook my head, I can't do that. No one will believe me, no one will believe parents can treat their child that way. No one would believe that. Ruth believed. Everyone isn't Ruth, I just have to find another way.  I quickly wiped my eyes and stood up, there was no time to waste crying, I have to think of something.

I glanced at Miss Gloria's door and took a deep breath. I'm definitely not going to go in there in 7 days just to receive an expulsion letter, I have to think of something else. But for now, let's just get through today.

"Don't rely on yourself, Jophiel. Lean on me" I heard the Spirit whisper and I smiled, I'm leaning on you, Lord. I believe that whatever idea I get would be from you.

My confidence roused even more at my thoughts and I confidently strode out of the office back to the school grounds. Just as I suspected, lunch was still ongoing and I could grab a quick snack before class, but my need for food immediately disappeared when I set my eyes on q certain someone.

A big smile immediately covered my face when he made eye contact with me and I waved, but he just stood there staring blankly at me. I slowly brought down my hand and my smile flattered, he wasn't smiling. A frown was etched on his face and I wanted to slap myself for not noticing it earlier, "stay together" the now familiar voice whispered just as I was about to walk out like nothing happened.

It's best I don't approach an angry Zadkiel, tried it once, didn't end well. I decided to defy the voice just this once and walk away, but the instruction came just as I was about to walk away and I groaned. "Fine! We can approach an angry Zadkiel just this once. Just this once" I mumbled and steadied myself to walk towards him, but just as I took the first step, he turned away from me and walked away, leaving me there with a look of disbelief on my face.

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Happy Sunday. I hope you went to Church today ❤️

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