Our audience applauded as we returned to our seat, and I caught smiles from all three Hanson boys, as well as their father.

“Thank you, ladies,” Pastor Walker said, returning to the pulpit. “That was beautiful.”

“Lovely, Indi, just lovely!” Zac complimented me when I sat down.

Grinning, I stretched an arm across the back of the pew and gave him a light squeeze. “Thanks, sweetie pie.”

He burst into silent giggles. “Sweetie pie??”

“Yuppers. You don’t mind if I call you that, do you?” I asked mischievously, my eyes sparkling. “Sweetie pie,” I tacked on the end.

“You’re funny, Indi,” he informed me. “Do you have paper? I really don’t think it would be very polite to keep talking.”

“Of course I have paper!” I exclaimed. “What do you think I am, a hick??” I paused. “Don’t answer that.” He laughed.

I got out my notepad and scribbled a quick note to him. (Uh, this weird stuff following is the note, in case you couldn’t figure it out. I think you should be able to tell who’s writing!)

Zac, Do you have any idea how cute you are?? You are the single most adorable thing I have ever seen! And I love your hair!

Why thank you! Yours isn’t too bad, either. I don’t like being called cute though, if you wouldn’t mind refraining from saying that. I prefer “sweetie pie”!

Hehe. You’re still cute, but I’ll try to remember not to call you that, sweetie pie.

Sooo, that Jo chick... she got a boyfriend?

No, as a matter of fact, she doesn’t. There wasn’t any reason you wanted to know other than to make a little chit-chat was there?

She’s hot.

Oh, I see, you’re interested in the position. I see how it is. I understand completely now. I could use this information for no good purpose other than to blackmail you! Muahahahahaha!

That’s just mean! But sure I’m interested. Granted, I should probably get to know her first, but...

Yes, that might be wise. None of that running away together, eloping stuff, you understand? By the way, Taylor doesn’t happen to be available, does he?

I understand! Tay don’t got a girl. She dumped him as soon as she found out we were leaving Tulsa. She just, like, told him she didn’t wanna see him anymore cuz he wasn’t worth the work of a long-distance relationship. How cold is that?!

EEEWWW!!! I don’t know her, but I’m pretty sure I don’t like her. My poor sweet angel!

Haha! That’s funny. You can’t blackmail me anymore, I have just as much against you!

Yeah, yeah, I hear ya. He is really sweet though. Did you hear about our Sunday School class?

Yeah, Ike told me. It doesn’t really surprise me that he would do that for someone. That fact that he wasn’t too shy surprises me a little, but I think he just really likes you. All of you guys.

Groovy! Your dad is pretty awesome, you know that? Your mom, too.

Yeah, they’re cool parents. I mean, not really cool by some people’s standards. Like, they don’t let us do whatever we want to. But they raised us in a good home, with a good marriage, where God and family are the most important things in life.

Now THAT is cool! By MY standards!

Speaking of my dad, he’s just about to close. Uh... I’ll talk to you after church!

Zac and I were hyper at the end of the service from our little conversation, and skipped out of the church arm-in-arm. When we reached the end of the sidewalk we stopped. I turned to him, and, throwing my arms around his neck, planted a kiss on the tip of his nose.

“You’re so cute -- ah, I mean, um, what can I call you?” I faltered.

He laughed at me. “Whatever, I guess you can call me cute if you want to.”

I breathed a sigh of relief. “Good, cuz I don’t think I could’ve stopped myself.”

“What is you guys’ problem?!” Ike exclaimed, he and the other three catching up with us.

“We’re cool,” I informed him. “Me and Zac. We’re going to conquer the world together.”

Zac glanced at me. “That’ll be fun.”

I giggled. “Yuppers!”

The rest of them stared at us like we belonged in a loony bin.

“If you don’t get a life, they’re going to come take you away,” Jenn warned.

“Where?”

“To the institute,” she answered menacingly.

I feigned fear. “No! Anything but the institute! Please, no!”

Chapter 6 - not up yet!
Indi's POV
Story page
Hanson page
Main page