A dead teenager’s final words haunted Max Owens, her memory an unwelcome taunt from a past he preferred to keep buried. Her voice was a ghost permanently lodged in the recesses of his mind, echoing to him her final heartfelt plea: “Pick the right one, Max.”
The tenderness by which she had spoken those words as she brushed her slender fingers against his hair was a painful contrast to the reality of the violent and untimely demise that had been awaiting her when she had walked out of his bedroom.
Why glimpses of that grief-stricken evening was tormenting him on an evening of celebration, Max could only ask the Lord. What was God trying to tell him? Why was his soul so restless, so downcast, on such a night of victory?
“Pastor Max! Is this good?!”
Max blinked his eyes to pull himself out of flashbacks of Lacey’s laughter, her life, her stillness, her death. It took him a few seconds to recalibrate and force his attention back to what was happening around him. Blue and white streamers hung on the ceiling all over the hall where their youth group held its weekly gatherings. At the center of the stage, two teenage boys were hanging a big welcome banner for Jeremy Sinclair, who was returning from a year in Hope’s Well, a rehab facility that had been helping him through his drug addiction.
“Come on, Pastor Max.” AJ groaned. “My arms hurt.”
“Stop calling me pastor, guys, and yes. Move it a bit more to the left, AJ!” Max instructed. “That’s right. Lift it up just a smidgen, Ned. Sweet! That’s it! Perfect!”
“Original glazed donuts in the house.” Maureen stepped next to him with a stack of donut boxes in her arms. “I had no idea Jeremy was such a fan of donuts.”
Max chuckled. “Man does not live on donuts alone, but Jeremy seems to.” He pointed to the buffet table. “Over there.”
“Sure thing, Pastor.”
“Come on, Maureen. You too?” He laid his palm over his chest to feign disappointment. “I’m not a pastor yet.”
“You soon will be!” the teenager teased.
Max ignored her and ticked off the items on his mental checklist of to-do’s. Ned and AJ were already putting away the ladders they had used to hang the banner up. Maureen joined several of the girls at the food table. The tech crew had already set up the sound system, and the worship team had just finished practicing their set. Soon, the rest of the teenagers and young adults would arrive to join Pastor Sam and Max in celebrating Jeremy’s recovery. Max expected a crowd, because rock star couple, Nolan and Serene Stone, had confirmed they would show up.
The time on his phone indicated Max still had about half an hour before people would start coming in. Might as well retreat to his office to spend some time to pray and prepare for the message Pastor Sam had asked him to share that night.
Max turned on his heel. About to stride into the church’s staff offices, he stopped when someone familiar sauntered into the hall. He drew a breath at her honey blonde waves and soulful green eyes. Was that Rachel Petersen? When had she grown into such a beautiful young woman? How had it happened without him noticing?
“Pick the right one, Max.” Lacey’s breathless voice was soundless, but it somehow still teased his eardrums. He shook his head to ward away the should-be-forgotten scene from his buried past.
“If it isn’t Max Owens himself…” Rachel’s hair swayed as she approached. A radiant smile lit her countenance. “What’s this I hear about you becoming a pastor?”
“I keep telling people.” Max gave her his best pokerface. “I’m not a pastor yet.”
“But you’re training to be one, which I must say is impressive, especially in addition to all the work you’ve been doing behind-the-scenes. Mom told me the improvement in AVPs and tech prep during Sunday services were because of you.”
“Nice of Mrs. P to mention that.”
“We both know how hard it is to get compliments from my mother, so enjoy it while it lasts.”
“That, I shall do.” Max smiled. “But where are my manners? Hello, Rachel.” He reached out to give her a side hug. “It’s great to see you. Are you sticking around the entire summer?”
“Most likely, yes.”
“How’s college?”
“Amazing, actually.” She sounded surprised. “I didn’t expect freshman year to be so fun. Do you remember Crazy Jenna?” Rachel’s heart-shaped face framed her green eyes and Roman nose perfectly. The hot pink dress she wore highlighted her skin tone in the best way possible.
“Sure. Yeah.” A childhood memory flickered in Max’s mind to remind him who Crazy Jenna was, but he failed to get a clear recollection of what she looked like, because all he could think of was how beautiful the woman in front of him was. “It’s hard to forget the dinosaur who crashed your princess party.”
Rachel laughed softly. “You remember that? She wasn’t a dinosaur though! She was a dragon!”
“I’m sure she’ll disagree.”
“Sure, she will. Can you believe she’s my roommate in college?”
“Yeah? I haven’t seen her since she and her mom left town. You just happened to be roommates?”
“Completely by chance. Isn’t that crazy?”
“Interesting.” Max lifted a brow. “Reminds me of the quote about how coincidence is God’s way of remaining anonymous. Maybe God has a reason for leading her back into your life.”
A huge smile spread across her face, making her even lovelier.
How could he keep himself from staring?
“So strange,” she said.
“What’s strange?”
Her eyes lingered on him for a few seconds before responding. “Nothing. It’s just great to hear you talk about God like that. Mom used to say you and Jeremy were hopeless causes.”
“With all due respect to Mrs. P, your mother said that about Nolan and Serene, too. She was wrong then, and she’s wrong about Jeremy and me.”
“Hey.” Rachel lifted her hands in mock surrender. “For all it’s worth, I’m glad she’s wrong.”
A cheer erupted across the hall. Max hadn’t even noticed the place had filled up while he was having a chat with Rachel.
“He’s here!” Rachel clasped her hands together.
Wait. What? He wasn’t ready for his message yet! Before panic set in, Max caught a glimpse of Jeremy Sinclair. He breathed out a sigh of relief. Jeremy was a walking sermon — a testimony of God’s grace. Max relaxed. His best friend’s smile brightened the entire room. Gone was the Jeremy from a year ago. The Jeremy in front of him was robust, healthy, and full of life. This was the Jeremy he had grown up with, but somehow, Max could tell this version of him was so much better than before.
Jeremy’s gaze swept throughout the entire hall and when it locked with his, Max threw a fist in the air as a signal of victory. Jeremy strode toward Max and hugged him.
“Thanks for never giving up on me, man,” he said.
“Never.” The brotherly hug reinforced the bond they had forged in a playground so many years ago. Max once again spoke a silent prayer on his best friend’s behalf.
The celebration began, starting off with worship to God for all He had done. When Jeremy stood in front to testify about how God had helped him, Max received reassurance from God that indeed, in Christ, nothing was impossible. Jesus was worthy of all Max had to give, and so, later that night, in the privacy of his home, he got on his knees and once again surrendered everything to God.
Part of everything Max laid down before the Almighty was the memory of Lacey telling him to pick “the right one” and how much he wished he could pick Rachel Petersen.
Jenna Marquez wasn’t a big fan of whatever had happened to Rachel during the summer before their sophomore year. Rachel had sometimes talked about her faith before, but after the break, it seemed to be all she could talk about.
“Just remember Jesus loves you, okay?” Rachel said out-of-the-blue while Jenna was preparing to head out for her weekly aerial dance class.
The sentiment made Jenna’s ears sting. She turned to face Rachel. “What happened to you?” She gripped her aluminum lyra hoop in one hand, almost ready to throw it at Rachel.
“Nothing happened to me.” Rachel shrugged. “What do you mean?”
“You know what I mean, Petersen. Since you got back from summer break, you keep talking about Jesus and how He wants to save me from hell or something. Do you have any idea how condescending that is? What mortal sin have I committed that you’re so convinced I deserve to go to hell?”
“It’s not like that, Jenna. We’re all sinners. Even me, and—”
“Then repent, Rachel. Beats me what sin you committed today, but I committed no sins I know of, so maybe you’re the one who needs saving.”
To Jenna’s horror, tears pooled in Rachel’s eyes. Her lips quivered as she spoke. “I feel like we’re getting on the wrong foot here. Jenna, you’re my friend, and I care about you. I wish you could see how intentional Jesus was in reconnecting us. Max said when—”
“Max? The cigarette-smoking, partying kid from Connect Church? That Max? Why do we care what he says?”
“You should see him now, Jenna. He’s nothing like he was when we were kids. It’s amazing how God has—”
“Not interested. Look. Whatever has to happen for you to stop telling me about Jesus, make it happen, because it has to end.”
“I’m sorry.” Rachel bit her lip. Her shoulders stayed rigid as she moved to the end of the couch.
Despite her irritation, Jenna’s heart softened at how distraught Rachel looked. “You’re such a weirdo, Petersen.” She dropped her lyra hoop on the floor and plopped herself next to Rachel. She hugged her friend and nuzzled her head against the blonde’s neck. “I don’t understand how any of you stayed in that church and held on to this faith. Don’t you find it oppressive?”
“Not at all. I find it liberating. Who the Son sets free is free—”
“Nope. Don’t start with the verses, Rach.”
Rachel pulled away from the hug, and an awkward pause followed.
“I can’t help but be pushy about my faith, Jenna,” Rachel squeaked out. “I just really love Jesus, and I want you to get to know Him. That’s all.”
Jenna sighed. She understood enough about the Christian mentality to get where Rachel was coming from, but she didn’t know how long she would be able to stand it. “If I’m ready or willing to hear about your relationship with Jesus, I’ll inform you, but Rachel, girl, you can’t just randomly tell me how much Jesus loves me. It’s just too much cringe for me to handle.”
“I understand.”
“Do you?”
Rachel nodded. “I do. We’re still friends, right?”
“Of course.”
“What’s that hoop thing, anyway?”
“It’s for my aerial arts class.”
“Huh?”
“It’s aerial hoop. Kind of like pole dancing, but on a hoop suspended in air.”
“Aren’t you taking up social work? Why do you have a class like that?”
Jenna had to laugh, almost as a defense mechanism against how judgmental Rachel sounded. “It’s an off-campus dance class I joined. Come on.” The frown on Rachel’s face made Jenna withdraw. “Now what’s your problem?”
“Isn’t pole dancing for strippers?” Rachel winced. “Why would you even—”
“Ugh. I can’t handle you right now, Petersen. You’ll drive me insane.” Jenna grabbed her hoop. “Hopefully, by the time I come back, you’ll be less religious.”
She didn’t bother to wait for a response. She grabbed her duffel bag and sped out. Upon reaching the park where their aerial hoop class would be, she had already forgotten about Rachel. As she contorted her body to mold it against the hoop, she shut out everything around her. Dance was release. It didn’t have to be beautiful to anyone watching. All Jenna needed was for the dance to consume her so that everything else would fade into the background.
“Stunning.”
Her legs up high as she suspended herself upside down on the hoop, she opened her eyes to find a man watching her. “What do you think you’re doing? You can’t just stand there and watch me, you creep.” With one swift move, Jenna slid out of the hoop and secured her footing on the ground. “Not cool.”
“My name is Sean McNamara.” He extended his hand toward her.
Jenna eyed his hand. “My name is not interested.”
“You should be.”
“Oh, but I’m not.”
“You will be.”
“You’re confident of that because?”
“Someone told me you’re the perfect person to perform in my play. I need an acrobatic star, and that someone is right. You seem to be everything I need.”
“Who is this someone whom you speak of?”
“Rachel Petersen. We have a class together, and she raved about you and your dancing.”
“That girl.” Jenna shook her head. “She’s so dead when I get back to the dorm.” She pulled her lyra hoop from the bar she had hooked it onto. “You’re not a Christian, are you?”
“What? No.” He paused. “Wait. If I say I am, will it increase the chances of you joining my play?”
“Definitely not a Christian. Good.”
“Great. So you’re interested?”
Jenna slung her duffel bag over her shoulder. “I’m not sure.”
“I’ll call you.”
“You don’t have my number.” She walked away from him.
“I’ll find a way to get it! Nice to meet you, Jenna Marquez.”
“I can’t believe she told you my full name!” She spun around to narrow her eyes at him before shaking her head and walking on until he was out of earshot. She smiled. Even if she wanted to wring Rachel’s neck for giving away so much information about her, she couldn’t deny how hot Sean was. Jenna was all-too-familiar with the sensation churning in her gut. She had felt this way only once before: the day she had first laid eyes on Jon.
“Rachel!” She yelled the moment she opened the door to their dorm room. “Who is this Sean person?” At the sight that greeted her, Jenna came to a full stop. Luggage and boxes were piled on top of each other in the middle of the room. Most of Rachel’s things were no longer in their usual places.
Rachel stepped out of the bathroom.
“What’s going on?” Jenna asked.
Her roommate winced. “Mom rented an off-campus house for me. I wanted to tell you earlier, but—” Rachel lowered her gaze and began toying with the hem of her skirt.
“But what?”
“I didn’t know how to explain.”
Jenna swore under her breath.
Rachel winced.
“Just say it straight, will you? Lay it on me. Why are you moving?”
Rachel heaved a sigh. “My mom thinks you might be a bad influence on me. I don’t agree with her, but—”
“Wait. So is this why you’ve been pushing this Jesus stuff so hard? Because you’re leaving?”
“I wasn’t sure if you would want to stay friends after this, and I wanted to point you to Him, and—” Rachel closed her eyes, breathed deep, and bowed her head. “I’m sorry, Jenna.”
“Right. So much for all these changes you’ve been talking about. Doesn’t seem like God changed you or your mother. You’re both still judgmental hypocrites.” Jenna huffed in an attempt to push back the hurt and irritation coiling around her chest. Unable to stand the sight of someone she had considered a dear friend, she lowered her eyes. “Bye, Rachel.” Her voice broke.
“Jenna—” Rachel sounded choked as well.
When her vision blurred with tears, Jenna walked out of the room before she could embarrass herself by crying in front of perfect Princess Rachel. Just as she stepped into the hallway and closed the door behind her, her phone rang. An unregistered number showed up on her screen.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Jenna. Sean here.”
“What? How did you get my number?”
“I have my ways.”
“You understand why that would be creepy to me, right?”
“Relax, Jenna. I have good intentions.”
“Right. And I’m just supposed to believe you?”
“Look.” Sean sighed. “Rachel Petersen recommended you to me. Do you believe Miss Goody-Two-Shoes would connect you to me if she thought I was up to no good? If you want someone else to vouch for me, Candace, your dorm’s RA, knows me.”
Jenna’s mind raced as she leaned against a wall in the hallway. “What do you want, Sean?”
“I told you. I want you to audition for my play.”
“Audition?” Jenna raised a brow. “You made it seem like the role was already mine.”
“Believe me. You had my head spinning when I saw you working that hoop at the park. The mere sight of you is an inspiration, love. The audition is a formality.”
Jenna didn’t mind the compliments. That they were coming from his soothing baritone voice didn’t hurt either.
“Come on now. Don’t break my heart, my sweet. Say yes.”
“Only if you meet me for coffee right now.” Jenna could practically hear him smile.
“Perfect,” he said.
By the time Jenna returned to her dorm room that night, she had a smile on her face and a kiss from a blue-haired hottie named Sean McNamara.
This is the first chapter of the Christian love story, The One Who Danced Away.