Chapter 1
The morning sun spilled through the windows of Grace High School, lighting up rows of students scribbling notes. Haven sat by the window, his head resting on one hand, eyes distant and unfocused. His face looked calm, but behind it was a storm of thoughts.
"Haven!" the teacher called sharply.
"Yes," Haven replied, blinking rapidly as if waking from a dream. His voice was low, almost apologetic.
"Where has your mind drifted to? I've been calling your name for a while," the teacher said.
"It's right here, ma'am," Haven replied quickly, forcing a faint smile as he straightened up in his seat.
"Then what was the last thing I said?" she asked.
"I..." Haven paused and took a deep sigh. His shoulders sank slightly. "I can't remember," he said quietly, bowing his head in embarrassment.
"Stand up," the teacher said. "What were you thinking about?"
Before Haven could respond, a voice came from the back of the class.
"He was just having a flashback of how he and his girlfriend spent the night together!" David, the class clown, shouted with a mischievous grin. The whole class burst into laughter. Haven's face turned red. His lips tightened, and his eyes darted toward David in quiet anger.
"You think that's funny?" Gebura, Haven's closest friend, said sharply. Her eyes narrowed, her expression serious. She was calm but bold the kind of girl who stood up for others when no one else would.
"Why are you angry? You must be the girlfriend then!" David teased again, his grin widening as he leaned back smugly in his chair. The class roared with laughter.
"All you do is make trouble, David," Luca, Haven's best friend, said, his brows furrowed and his voice firm.
"Enough!" the teacher snapped. "Haven, you can have your seat."
"Thank you, ma'am," Haven said, sitting down, his expression still tense.
"Let's get back to class," the teacher said. David glanced at Gebura giving her a mocking smile. She met his eyes without flinching, her face unreadable, but her gaze sharp and cold.
School Cafeteria
The lunchroom buzzed with chatter and the clatter of trays. Haven, Luca, and Gebura sat together at a corner table. Haven poked absently at his food, his eyes dull, while Luca frowned at David, who was laughing loudly with his friends across the room.
"I so much hate David," Luca muttered, jaw clenched in disgust.
"You don't need to hate him," Gebura said softly, her face calm, her tone gentle but firm.
"He's such a nasty boy and a bully. And he hates us," Luca said, his eyebrows still drawn tight.
"Instead of filling your heart with hate, you should pray for him," Gebura said, turning toward him. Her eyes softened. "Let Christ turn him into a changed person."
"Pray?" Luca said, raising a brow. "Are you serious?"
Gebura smiled faintly. "Remember what Christ said in Matthew 5:44: 'But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.'"
Luca placed his hand on his chin and gave her a mock thoughtful look. "Hit me again with the scriptures," he said, half-smiling. Gebura chuckled softly, shaking her head.
"Haven," she called, turning to him.
"Yeah," Haven replied, blinking as if returning from a deep thought.
"Where has your mind flown to?" Luca asked, trying to lighten the mood.
"Nowhere it's here," Haven said quickly, forcing a weak smile.
"What are you thinking about?" Gebura asked softly. "You can tell us. We're your friends." She placed her hand gently on his, her eyes warm and full of care.
Haven's eyes glistened slightly as he sighed. "It's just that... everything is going wrong. Things are hard, guys." He paused, looking down. "Ever since I lost my dad, the table just turned. Everything seems difficult. Right now, as I'm speaking, there's not even a single meal at home. I'm not even sure I'll be able to go to school anymore." His voice trembled as his face fell into his hands.
Luca's expression softened immediately. "I know how it feels, bro," he said quietly, placing a hand on Haven's shoulder. "I face it too sometimes. But we'll make it through. We've got you, bro."
"Thanks, bro," Haven said, managing a faint smile.
"Can we just pray?" Gebura suggested, her tone filled with calm faith.
"Sure," Haven said. They joined hands, closing their eyes. Gebura bowed her head, her face serene.
"Father, we've come to You again. First, we're grateful for everything You've done for us. Father, we ask that You have mercy upon our souls. Lord Jesus, please provide for our families. Help us, Lord make a way out. In Jesus' name we pray."
"Amen," they said together.
Across the room, Ben, one of David's friends, smirked. "The righteous ones are praying," he said under his breath, his lips curling.
"Let them pray," David muttered, his eyes cold as he took a sip from his cup. "I'll still make their lives a living hell."
"Thanks, Gebura" Haven said softly, smiling in gratitude.
"No problem. What are friends for?" she said warmly, her eyes filled with quiet strength. As she looked across the cafeteria, she locked eyes with David. He smirked, but her steady gaze made his smile fade slightly.
Later That Day
The sun had begun to set over the town. Haven was at the mechanic shop where he worked after school, his shirt stained with oil and sweat. Despite his exhaustion, his eyes held determination.
He approached his boss, Mr. Cole, who was working under the hood of a car.
"Hey, I'm done fixing those cars outside. They're good as new," Haven said, wiping his face with the back of his hand.
Mr. Cole looked up with a kind smile. "You've worked hard today, son. You deserve a reward." He reached into his pocket and pulled out some dollar notes, handing them to Haven.
"For me?" Haven asked, eyes wide in surprise.
"Yeah," Mr. Cole said, smiling. "It's not payday yet, but I've seen your effort. You're a hardworking young man, and I want to encourage that."
Haven took the money, his lips trembling as tears filled his eyes. "Thank you, sir," he said softly, voice thick with emotion.
"You're welcome, son," Mr. Cole said, nodding approvingly.
Stepping outside, Haven looked up at the sky, his face lighting up with gratitude. "You made a way out, didn't You?" he whispered, a tear rolling down his cheek.
Home...
At home, Ariana and Arielle, Haven's six-year-old twin sisters, were giggling in the sitting room, chasing each other around the couch. Their mother sat nearby, her face weary but kind, lost in quiet thought.
The door opened.
"Haven!" the twins shouted joyfully, running toward him with bright smiles.
"I'm back, Mom," Haven said, carrying a small bag of groceries and smiling warmly.
"You're welcome, son," she said, standing up in surprise. "Where did you get all this from?" she asked, her eyebrows raised in disbelief.
"Told you, God's gonna make a way," he said proudly, a gentle smile on his face.
His mother chuckled, her eyes filling with tears. She hugged him tightly. "You're just like your father," she whispered against his shoulder.
Haven smiled, his eyes soft. "And like you too, Mom."
As they stood there, the twins wrapped their small arms around them, laughter filling the room a sound of joy, faith, and love that melted the day's worries away.
