BEFORE YOU READ: Please keep in mind that this is an extremely old story of mine (from when I was still in high school)! I haven't gotten around to editing/finishing it since it was written in 2010. At this point in time, it remains here for posterity.

If you're interested in the plot, then thanks! There's an extremely good chance that I'll be re-writing this after I finish my current projects. I suggest you add me to your author alerts or check me out on AO3 (under the same username) for updates. Until then, enjoy one of the first major stories I ever attempted to write...

Jesus has always had it in for me.

I think it all started when I was thirteen years old and my parents announced their divorce. That's when I started doing it- praying- hard. I made it my goal to go to church on a regular basis. I was never sure why I started. It was either because I thought that Jesus may fix my parents's marriage or I wanted to prevent other bad stuff from happening to me. Either way, my motives were the tiniest bit impure.

During Junior year I joined the youth group at the new Methodist church in town. That was the year I thought all my loyalty had paid off, because that was when I met Jessica Dustin: my first girlfriend. She was a red-haired, brown-eyed angel who attended a private Christian academy in the city, but I was certain that she was sent directly from heaven. Kind of like exchanging points on a credit card for a free plane ticket.

That just made me a harder Bible-thumper. I figured I couldn't thank the higher-ups enough for sending her to me, so I did everything I could to help out the church. I assisted in kids' religion classes, organized files, recruited people to youth group. Though I really wanted to show my appreciation, I had an ulterior motive. Jessica loved compassionate, deeply religious guys. I had to show her I was willing to be the best boyfriend ever.

But Jessica wasn't just my first girlfriend.

She was also my last.