When Friday came around, I began to question my judgment. Meeting a girl was not something I did on a regular basis. Was this a test from my Heavenly Father to use my discernment? I stood in front of the bathroom mirror, fixing my unkempt hair. I would have left it alone, but I was going to see a girl. It was the proper thing to do.

"You look nice," Sarah said as she passed by door. "Where are you going?"

"I am meeting a girl," I replied, grimacing. "Zack got a note in his locker, and it was intended for me. Kathy wants me to meet her in front of the bleachers."

"Kathy? You mean the homecoming queen. No offense bro, but even though you are a good looking dude, why would Kathy send you such a note?"

"You think your brother is a good looking dude?" I looked at my sister, flashing my best smile.

She smiled proudly. "Best looking dude in our entire school, aside of a mutual acquaintance; I am sure you are familiar with whom I speak."

"That would be me," Jacob said, coming up behind Sarah. "Daniel, since when do you go on dates?"

"It's not a date," I explained, walking passed. "And I was not the one who planned it. She just wants to meet with me."

"You could have gone there from school," Sarah said slowly.

"I needed to freshen up. Besides, we don't actually live that far from school."

I smiled at my sister, grabbed my car keys and went to see my mom before I left.

"Where are you going, looking so handsome?" she asked, raising a suspicious eyebrow.

"A girl," I relied slowly, shrugging. "A girl at school wants to meet me at the game. I don't want to not meet her, but when have I ever done something like this?"

"It is out of your ordinary behavior, yes. But if you want to meet her, go for it."

"I don't know that I will end up going out with her again."

"Then at least you were a gentleman."

My mom kissed my cheek and motioned for me to go. That was all I needed. To know that my mother trusted me to behave like the young man she raised.

~ * ~

It would be four-thirty in five minutes, which meant I was on time. The game was just starting, which meant Kathy was probably leading the cheer squad. How would she meet me if she was . . .

"Daniel."

I turned and saw Heather walking towards me. She was wearing the school colors, blue and orange; and carried what looked like Chris' team jacket.

"You're meeting with Kathy," she said slowly, motioning to my attire.

"How did you know that?" I asked hesitantly, waiting.

"Truth to be told, she asked me if she could leave my initials on that note," Heather replied, shrugging. "When I asked her what it was for, she spilled the beans. Maybe she thought you and I were friends, or something. I just hope she is not planning to make you look like a fool. You're not that kind of guy, I am guessing."

"Not really, but I did not want to be rude."

"Points to you for being a gentleman, but I don't think you needed to amuse her. Kathy is the classic IT girl. If you know what I mean?"

I nodded, looking around. It was not four-thirty-five, and Kathy was nowhere in sight.

"You can blow her off," Heather suggested as she began to walk away. "Kathy does it all the time. If she has not shown up by now, it could be what she planned all along. So, break away while you are ahead."

"Thank you for the advance," I said, chuckling as I returned her wave. "See you Monday!"

Heather smiled and disappeared around the corner. I smiled to myself; I was about to start towards my car, when Kathy appeared.

"Daniel," she said, stepping forward with her hands behind her back. "I knew you would come. Putting Heather's initials on that note worked. What's the deal with you two?"

"There's no deal," I replied, shaking my head. "Why did you want to meet me here?"

"You should know what the answer to that question. Daniel Harden, leading education jock. Come on, you're intelligent. Take a wild guess."

The wild guess was in my mind already, and I was not going speak it. Kathy took several steps towards me, which I matched to step away.

"Don't you have a boyfriend?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Why should that matter?" she shot back, advancing.

"Kathy," I said, placing my hands firmly, but kindly on her shoulders. "I do not want to get in the middle of you and your boyfriend. If you think you are bored, and need something to occupy yourself, I am NOT the one you need to see about it. Sorry, but that's not me."

I released her and turned to walk away. Despite her shrieks of frustration, I did not turn to look at Kathy. Heather was standing at the car next to mine.

"Should have taken my advice earlier," she joked lightly.

"Yeah," I replied, nodding. "And I was in the middle of taking it."

"Well, be prepared for the aftermath on Monday morning. By the way, thanks for the almost-tutoring session."

"It's no problem. I'm glad I was of some help."

After exchanging a smile, and a wave, I got into my car and gunned the engine. I was not going to put my eyes on Monday. Why would I? I knew the truth of the matter, and that is all that mattered.

~ * ~

I was in the library, reading a book from my reading list, when Heather joined my table.

"Mind if I sit here?" she whispered; her eyes were red, like she had been crying.

"Knock yourself out," I replied slowly. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. But thank you for asking. At least there is you in the world."

I was not buying it, but I left the subject alone, closing the book I had been reading.

"Twelfth Night," Heather went on, motioning a book that was in the stack next to me. "Is that your reading list, or personal preference?"

"It's on my reading list, but I do enjoy reading. How 'bout you?"

She smiled, nodding. "I love reading, but it depends. There are some books I will start to read, and then mid-way through there will be something that throws me off. Call me picky, but that is just me."

"Understandable; I sometimes run into similar situations."

There was a moment of silence. I took advantage to observe Heather's countenance. I wondered why she had been crying. Did someone say something to offend her?

"Can I ask you something?" Heather asked, speaking in a low voice, her eyes filling with tears. "You probably don't know the answer to this, but I need to ask someone."

"Try me," I replied, putting my book aside, and leaning forward to listen.

"What do you know something about someone else, but are afraid to approach them about it because you know they will deny it?"

"Hmm, good question. Well, it could be that that person gave you reason to believe they would deny it because you trust them. If you have your doubts, you should approach them. All cards on the table."

The tears ran down her cheeks now, and she did not try to wipe them away.

"Is there something I can do?" I offered slowly, handing her the napkin I had in my pocket.

"You're doing it," she whispered, smiling softly. "Thank you, Daniel. See you around."

"Okay..."

Heather stood and started to walk away. I looked after her, sighed, and returned to my book. A short while later, I left the library to go to my next class, passing the ball court on my way. The doors were usually closed at this time of day, but for some reason they were open. Hearing voices coming from inside, I poked my head in slowly. Heather was talking to Chris, shoving a jacket into his hands. He threw his arms up, shouting at her like a maniac. Heather shook her head and started running towards the door. I backed away just in time for her to come out.

"Hey," I said slowly.

"Do you have your car here?" she asked, hugging herself, distress written across her face.

"For once," I replied, nodding as I pulled out my keys.

"I just need to get away for a bit. Would you drive me around? What's your next class?"

"Biology; it's my last class for the day. But I can skip it."

I motioned for her to follow, and led the way to the students' parking lot.

"I should have listened," Heather said, later as we drove passed the boating docks. "My friends warned me, but I chose not to listen."

"About Chris?" I asked, keeping my eyes on the road ahead.

"Yeah, I thought he had changed," she replied, sniffling. "He had convinced me that he was a different person now. I wanted to look passed the things he has done. He blinded me from seeing who he really is."

"Lots of people are that way, but not everyone. Heather, you are a very nice girl, and I guess Chris tried to use that in his favor. You know, sometimes we go through things in life, only to come out of it stronger than we were before. We never go through anything we won't be able to handle."

I was not sure how deep I could go into what I was saying. God has given me this chance to talk with Heather. The best way to do that is to give Him glory. I just did not know if Heather would let me speak about faith.

"Yeah," Heather said, wiping her eyes on her sleeve. "I know, a friend of my mother said something like that a few days ago. I liked what she was saying, but my mother changed the subject."

"Your mother's friend is a woman of faith?" I asked, looking at her briefly.

"Yes, and she has tried to get me and my mother to join her at church. The thing is, I know she means well, but the church she invited us to . . . I don't know. They are a high-class kind of church. Like all the 'rich' people go there. My mom and I can barely get by as it is."

"I see . . . Okay, but if it were not that kind of scene, would you go?"

"Not for a social scene. I would want to go to listen. I like to listen."

I nodded, "My church is having a gathering next Saturday. There is a guest speaker, and a worship service. If you would like to go, my sister can hold you a spot."

I stopped at a red light, giving me an excuse to look at her. Heather's expression was thoughtful.

"I have to think about that," she said after a while. "It might be a while before I can show my face around town again."

I chuckled, "Yeah, I understand," I said, nodding.

Heather smiled, "My house is down this street. Thank you for today, Daniel. You just happened to be in the right place, at the right time."

"No problem, I'm glad I could help."

I drove Heather to her house, and waited for her to go inside before driving away. I was surprised; Heather's house was not that far from mine. My house was just three blocks down.

"You're home a little early," my mother said as I walked into the living room. "How was your day?"

"The usual," I replied, sitting next to her. "With a twist. I skipped biology class today."

"May I ask why?"

"I have plenty of credit in that class, and something important came up. A girl, called Heather, has been having a rough day, and she asked if I could bring her home. She lives three blocks up the street."

Mom raised an eyebrow, but nodded.

"It's not like that, Mom," I said, shaking my head. "I don't like her in any particular way."

"It's just a feeling?" Mom offered, challenging me with a smile.

"Mom, I don't want to get involved with her like that. Every time I see her, I just get the feeling that she could be my sister in Christ. I think God is trying to pull her towards Him, little by little."

"I am just teasing. That is good to know, that you see her as a future sister in the Lord. Keep her in your prayers, you never know."

I nodded and stood to go to my room.