Chapter 3, The First Miracle, A Blossoming Friendship

Aria finds a friend in Stella and inspiration in music.

Aria stretched her arms as she walked towards the modest little church she had agreed to attend with Tom and Mariam this sunny Sunday morning. The church was tucked in a hill on the eastern side of town, which happened to be almost entirely made of similar hills. As they entered Aria found the church to be quite cozy. Everyone was friendly, greeting her and welcoming her, introducing themselves and whatnot.  After a few moments of meet and greet Aria spotted a familiar face and immediately walked over.

“Stella! You didn’t tell me you attend church.” She said with a smile.

“well now, you didn’t mention such a thing either! Where have you been all these Sundays?” Stella replied.

“ive been busy adjusting to life in this town, exploring and such. Ive had a pretty busy schedule.” Aria shrugged. Over a month had passed since she moved to her new home. Not only had she quickly found a friend in Stella, but a family and even an interesting goal as well.

“well I hope to see you here more often.” Stella said as the crowd in the lobby began to shrink. “Looks like Sunday school is going to start soon. I can show you to the college and career class.” She offered giving a small wave to her parents as they headed to their own class.

Aria eagerly followed, listening to a motivating lesson on purpose and the future. She couldn’t help but think about what it would be like to be able to believe in the future, to plan and to grow. Most people took time for granted, but Aria couldn’t do that, not after what she had been through. As she thought about this she ran her hand gently along her left arm where her bone was, feeling that spot, remembering the sling, the sting of a needle and nausea that followed the treatment.

“Aria, earth to Aria it’s time to head to the sanctuary!” Stella put a gentle hand on Arias shoulder.

“oh sorry, I just zoned out  for a second.” Arias hand slipped away from her arm as she gave a weak smile.

“You ok? You look a little sick.” Stella gave a concerned glance as they stood from the beanbag chairs in the college student little room in the back of the church.

“just…remembering things, it’s not important, really its fine.” Aria tried to give a reassuring nod.

“well, if something’s wrong I hope you will tell me.” Her friend gave a comforting smile as they entered the sanctuary and sat together between their parents/guardians.

The sanctuary wasn’t what she thought it would be. There were modestly comfortable chairs instead of pews, and no stained glass or organ, just a few windows, some stage lighting and a modest band setting with a piano, bass and acoustic guitar and drums.

The music started, and what Aria assumed to be worship was also not what she expected. The music was upbeat, had a pop or rock feel, and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. As they listened and sang, Aria tried to join in and follow the lyrics displayed on the projector they used.

After a few songs, donations and the sermon, everyone rose in a light chatter as the church began to empty itself. Stella gave Arias arm a tug and led her out towards the parking lot.

“you seemed to enjoy yourself, did you like the music?” Stella asked.

“very much so, it was a lot more upbeat then I expected.” Aria said with a nod, “saved for the fact that it was worship, it would be hard to tell that music like that is Christian!”

“well then I have a treat for you, come over to my place today and we can listen to some of my CDs.” Stella suggested.

Aria nodded, waving to Tom and Mariam and pointing towards Stellas families car. The two of them nodded and proceeded to leave without her. She and Stella got settled in and made the short journey to her house. Aria was surprised to see that it was only a few blocks from where she lived.

“lets go, we haven’t got all day!” Stella said as they headed towards the house. Aria gave a small chuckle at the remark, as she was trying to imagine how time flowed for Stella, who had likely not experienced the same white walled, stale smelling, sterile prison she had for almost 5 years.

Once they got up to Stellas room she went to fiddle with her Ipod, placing it in a dock and turning on some music. The two of them listened and chatted, had some snacks and watched the time pass. The two of them had already agreed that Aria would stay the night and head of to the college with Stella in the morning. They discussed their classes as an upbeat tune came on, Aria listened and was immediately taken in by the lyrics.

 

 

Hello my friend
I remember when you were
So alive with your wide eyes to the light
Then the light that you had when your heart was stolen
Now you say that it ain’t worth stayin’
You wanna run but you're hesitatin

I’m talkin’ to me

Don’t let the lights go down
Don’t let the fire burn out
Cause somewhere, somebody needs a reason to believe
Why don’t you rise up now?
Don’t be afraid to stand out
that’s how the lost get found
The lost get found!

 

                                  

      “Stella, this song, what’s it called and who is I by?” Aria asked as it continued to play.

“The Lost get Found by Britt Nicole, you like it?” Stella gave a tired yawn.

      “It’s fantastic! I have to get the CD for this.” Aria said with a nod.

      “glad you like it, but we should get to bed so we don’t fall asleep with our faces in our chem. projects” Stella chuckled.

      Aria arranged a pillow and some blankets on the floor and Stella switched off the music. Aria pulled out her journal and wrote an entry using the light from her phone so that Stella could turn of the light and sleep. Aria flipped the little book closed and stored her pen in the spiral spine, a content sigh passing her lips and floating about the darkened room. She had time, she didn’t know exactly how much, but she would make the most of it, she couldn’t let her light be put out that easily after all.

Progress Journal, Sunday, February 3^rd, 2012.

          It seems I’ve been motivated by some new kinds of music, perhaps church will be a good thing for me, who knows, God may have something planned for my time here.

Author's Note

From here on there will bits of Christian views, so if you don't like it you don't have to read.