re·pent /rəˈpent/ verb feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one's wrongdoing or sin. Haven is your average Christian young woman. She attends church, always reads her bible, and is the leader of her church's Youth Group. She even has the perfect Christian boyfriend, who she's sure she'll marry. Tristian is your average trouble maker. He drinks, smokes, and has no interest in religion. He's been sent to live with his religious grandmother harboring a lot of guilt and a horrible secret. When Haven meets Tristian, he turns her Christian world upside down and offers to show her a life outside of God. Her faith wavers as she falls in love with him and sets down a passionate, sinful path. She tells herself God will forgive her if she repents. But repentance means nothing when you're not sorry for what you've done.
Lihat lebih banyak~Haven's POV~
The Devil is everywhere. Especially outside this store. Don't get me wrong, I love collecting donations for the church, but some of these people really need Jesus!
I cried out as a quarter bounced off of my chest into the jar.
The guy walking into the store laughed. "You're welcome, Jesus Freak!"
"Why do they have to be so rude?" My best friend Grace asked, pushing her glasses up on her dark brown face. Her chocolate eyes were filled with annoyance.
"They don't know God, therefore they don't know love.” I said calmly. "At least he donated, I guess."
"Thirty more minutes and then we're done?" She begged.
"Yes, fine. That's fair."
Other people yelled at us, but luckily nothing else was thrown. We even got a few more donations.
I noticed the guy who had thrown the quarter at me exiting the store again.
"Hey" I stopped him. "Thanks for your donation, but maybe next time don't throw it. That was really rude."
"Haven…" Grace whispered.
"A donation is a donation." He rolled his grey eyes. "Maybe use that quarter and buy a clue. Religion is a waste of time and you're way too hot to be saving yourself for Jesus, babe. Why don't I give you my number?"
"For what?" I asked.
"I can teach you how to do things that would make your Lord and Savior blush."
I gasped. "That's vile! I'm going to pray for you! You should attend church tomorrow and repent!"
"Don't count on it toots. Come find me when you're ready for some hell." He winked before walking away.
"Let's go home Grace, I need to read my bible."
+++
I loved seeing how intense the people got during church service. The shouting, the crying, the dancing. It was all so beautiful.
Knowing God had such a positive effect on others is inspiring and I loved being able to witness it.
The sermon was incredible. I felt like I had reached another level in my spiritual walk.
"Now we welcome a leader in our Youth Group, Haven Campbell for a few announcements and the welcoming of our guests." Pastor Williams announced.
The congregation clapped as I made my way up to the podium.
"First I would like to let you know that we have a youth meeting immediately after service. We'll be meeting in the choir room."
I let the clapping and murmurs settle down.
"Now I would like to take the time to welcome our visitors. If you are here today for the first time, please stand and remain standing."
A few people stood up. I saw Ms. Fletcher nudge a boy who looked about my age next to her. He rolled his eyes and also stood up as the rest of the church clapped. He seemed kind of familiar.
"We just want to welcome you all and thank you for coming in this morning. We really hope something was said today that strengthened your walk with Christ. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to contact us. Thank you and have a blessed day." I smiled.
After service I quickly made my way to the choir room. When I got there, I saw Gabe Shields, the other leader of the youth group and my boyfriend.
I was convinced that Gabe was the one for me. He was strong in his faith, nice, intelligent and very handsome.
He had gorgeous curly dark locks that my fingers would get tangled in, intense hazel eyes, and soft, flawless light brown skin. He's easily the best looking boy in our age group at church.
We'd been together since middle school, striking envy in the hearts of every girl in school at the time. Once I had him, I never intended to let him go.
Everyone was sure that we'll get married. So was I. I expected he'd propose within the year.
"Hey," I smiled at him.
"Hello beautiful," he said grinning, his hazel eyes crinkling. He gave me a kiss on the cheek.
Gabe and I feel that church is an inappropriate place for excessive PDA.
"Will you be coming over for dinner tonight?" I asked.
"Nothing could keep me away,” he said as the others started filing in.
Grace walked in. She looked very nice in her pink knee length dress. It was vibrant against her dark brown skin. Her wavy brown hair was clipped back on the sides, allowing her dark, almost black eyes to have a break from being hidden. Her stylish black glasses were sliding down, revealing an indent on her slim nose.
Once it seemed that everyone who planned on coming showed up, Gabe and I started the meeting.
Just as the meeting was ending and we were starting to disperse, the door opened.
"Oh, hello Ms. Fletcher,” I said.
I liked Ms. Fletcher a lot. She's a sweet woman with stunning grey hair, always in the tightest of coils. She always had red lipstick on, which I personally think contrasted wonderfully with her light brown skin. Her small brown eyes were almost beady and while her voice was kind of shaky, she was not a weak woman. I admired her greatly.
"Hello, dear," She said. "I have a huge favor to ask. Would you mind giving my grandson a ride home? I have to go run an errand."
"Sure of course. Where is he?"
"In the bathroom. I pointed out your car to him and told him to meet you there, if that's okay?"
"Sure, I'll head out now." I smiled, happy to help.
"Okay, his name is Tristian." She returned my smile.
"Got it."
After saying bye to Gabe I waited patiently at my black Mercedes.
"You Haven?" A voice from behind asked.
I turned around. "Yes I am-"
It was him! The quarter thrower from yesterday.
"Jesus Freak." He grinned.
"Please don't tell me you're Tristian."
"Guilty babe."
I hated to admit it, but Tristian was quite cute. His eyes were greyer than a stormy day and absolutely hypnotic. His midnight black hair was wavy and fell over his forehead messily. I wondered if that’s how it fell or if he wanted it to look messy. His tawny brown skin was almost illuminating. I noticed a hoop in his nose. I don't think I'd ever met a boy with a nose piercing.
I sighed heavily. "Get in, I guess."
Tristian and I climbed in my black Mercedes.
It was silent in the car.
"So do you always throw quarters at strangers?" I asked.
"Only hot ones standing outside of the store."
"Well, thank you for your donation. The church appreciates it."
"And I appreciated watching that quarter bounce off of your chest." Tristian smirked.
"Did you like church? Did you learn something? Did you repent?"
"No. I was thinking about you the whole time."
"I have a boyfriend." I stated.
"And I'll have the house to myself when you drop me off. What do you say we get on our knees and not pray?"
*Tristian's POV*
I couldn't believe I'd been forced to go live with my grandma. Not that I didn't love her or anything, but I didn't like being torn away from my life.
I'd made a few mistakes and did things that even I wasn't proud of. I never meant for things to go so far or to hurt anyone. I wished I could take it all back. But I can't. It's done and I had to live with this for the rest of my life. I was trying to forget about it.
My parents had enough of dealing with me so they sent me off to my religious grandma. They're hoping I'd see the error of my ways and change, but I highly doubt that. Even my life ruining mistake couldn't get me on the straight and narrow.
And now I had to wake up early on Sundays to attend church, which was boring as hell. These people were brainwashed. It's almost cultish.
They even had the people my age brainwashed. And my grandma was making me hang out with the crazy youth kids.
But I did have to admit that Haven is so freakin hot, even for a Jesus freak. She had beautiful warm light brown skin that glowed like topaz and shiny straight obsidian black hair. Her big round eyes were like amber stones. They glistened when they caught the light and reeled me in. Freckles were etched across her upturned nose and cheeks.
Her voice turned me on the most. She had a shockingly raspy voice almost as though she'd been smoking for ten years or had a bad cold. It doesn't at all go with how innocent she looked and I loved that.
She also had that good Christian girl thing going on that I'm not usually into, but I'd definitely make an exception for her. The thought of corrupting her turned me on. I wanted her to scream my name instead of God's. Never thought Jesus Freak would make me feel this way.
I didn't make the best first impression on her. I guess you never know who the Jesus Freak you throw a quarter at outside the store will turn out to be.
I didn't care. I still wanted her.
She looked over at me, her amber eyes wide, before focusing back on the road. "Are you trying to offer me...sex?"
She said it like it was a dirty word.
"Well I would want some in return too." I grinned.
“I don't engage in premarital sex!"
“And your little boyfriend is okay with that?" I asked curiously. Something about making her squirm was so satisfying to me.
“Of course," she said quickly. “Gabe and I have been dating forever. We're completely on the same page. We are waiting until marriage."
“What's the point of waiting if you know you're gonna marry each other?"
“Because we're supposed to. And we both know that."
“He may know that, but he probably doesn't like it,” I smirked. I kind of liked when she gets worked up. How could I make it happen again?
“That's not true. You don't even know him," Haven said defensively.
“I know he probably touches himself to your pictures."
Haven scoffed in disgust. There it was. Man, she's so hot. “Do you have to use such vulgar terms?" She asked.
“I think of them as sentence enhancers,” I laughed.
“They're disgusting and totally inappropriate," Haven said dismissively. “Also, you're wrong about Gabe."
I laughed again, my eyes still on her thighs. "If you say so."
“What's your problem?" She asked.
"Honestly? The fact that you won't sleep with me."
"Well, that's a life long problem you're going to have."
"Wanna bet?" I challenged.
“No." She said bluntly as we stopped in front of my house.
"This was thrilling, Haven."
She forced a smile to her face. “Yes, it was. Have a blessed day."
“Thanks, Haven. I'll see you later," I winked at her and hopped out of the car.
I had barely closed the door when she peeled away. I looked after her car. For a Jesus freak, she sure does drive fast. I guess there's nothing in the Bible about going the speed limit.
~Haven’s POV~ “So you chose Tristian?” Aleecia asked as we got ready for the wedding. “Are you surprised?” Grace snorted. “I mean it was always going to be him.” “Yeah, I suppose. But what are you two going to do in different states?” Aleecia questioned. “We’ll figure it out.” I answered. I didn’t want to take the attention off of Grace by telling them that I was moving to New York. Tristian talked to Avery this morning, who was thrilled to hear that I would be coming there too. I think it was all going to work out perfectly. This was what was meant to happen. “I’m gonna go check on Heath.” I stated. As I reached the door to the boy’s room, Logan stepped out of it. We stared at each other for a moment. “You look beautiful.” Logan whispered. “You look really handsome.” I offered. “I’m sorry for how I left things last night. I just...I’m tired Haven. Tired of pretending everything w
~Haven’s POV~Tristian was right.I wasn’t as happy as everyone thought I was.Up until now I couldn't figure out why. I knew something was missing, but didn’t know what it was.I now knew it was Tristian.It was strange because there was nothing wrong with Logan. He was perfect. But maybe too perfect. Sure that sounds dumb, but it was true.When we had gotten together he was exactly what I needed. Sweet, funny, loyal. During that time in my life, I required that kind of man.But three years later, things are different. I’ve grown as a person and while Logan has grown with me, I wasn’t sure he grew into someone that complimented the person I had grown into.Tristian had.Or had he? Was this me trying to relive a time in my life that was long gone? Did I still have that bad boy fantasy or something?I wasn’t sure. What I did know was I almost h
Three Years Later~Haven’s POV~Planning a wedding was not easy.It’s even harder when it’s not your wedding that you're planning.I was the Maid of Honor for Grace and Heath’s wedding that was in a mere five days!I was relieved that it would be over soon. I was ready to fully get back to life without thoughts of flowers and table cloths coming up.I sighed and sat back in my seat. Finally the work day was done. I looked next to my computer at the framed photo of me, Mom, Heath, Grace and Logan at mine and Tristian’s first and last gallery exhibit together.Mom passed away nine months after that. It was easier than Dad’s death. We knew it would happen. We were prepared. It was still painful.I felt guilty about the sense of relief I felt. I didn’t have to take care of her anymore. I could fully pursue my career after that and I did.I was now the cu
~Haven’s POV~Logan had been kind of distant with me since the trial. It had been a week of tiptoeing around the issue, but I just couldn’t take it anymore.“Logan, baby, is something wrong?” I asked.I knew we had to talk about what I had said at the trial. I hoped he wasn’t too upset with me.“Did you mean all that?” Logan whispered. “That he was your best relationship? He’s the love of your life...are you not happy with me Haven?”“Of course I am. Logan I love you. I meant that! At the time yes it was everything to me and I felt like my life had crumbled. But you’ve made it better. I’m happy with you. That’s why you’ve been the one by my side through this whole ordeal. I couldn’t have gotten through without you.”Logan studied me before smiling. “Alright. Good. Because I love you too and you being happy is the most impor
~Haven’s POV~I couldn’t believe what Mr. Vera was suggesting.That Tristian could have something to do with my father’s death. He would never.Tristian was a lot of things. A liar, a manipulator, a bad boyfriend. But he was not a murderer. He wouldn’t hurt me just so I would get closer to him.The defense lawyer was really going out of his way to try to prove Trevor’s innocence. The crazy thing was that Trevor himself didn’t seem like he wanted this. I think he actually wanted to take responsibility for what had happened.“Haven Campbell, please come to the stand.”I was shaky as I was sworn in. My eyes found Logan and then I felt safe again. He was like my anchor.“So, Ms. Campbell, you were with Mr. Fletcher the night of the accident, correct?” Mr. Rush questioned.“Yes, I was.”“And was there a moment where Mr. Fletcher could ha
~Haven’s POV~ I wish I could have nothing to do with the trial. I just wanted Trevor to be punished for what he had done and leave it at that. I wanted this painful time in my life to be over so I could move on for real. I hadn’t spoken to Tristian since Kent’s party. I was disappointed by his behavior towards Logan. He made him out to be some devious guy that wormed his way into my bed. But Logan wasn’t like that. He was sweet and sensitive and absolutely perfect. I was glad I was with him. +++ Before our day in court I had to find a way to calm myself down. So of course Logan and I had sex. I loved the way Logan looked at me when I was on top of him. How he bit his lip as he watched me and would close his eyes when it felt extra good. He would grip my hips and make me go faster, the sound of his moans increasing. “Fuck Haven,” He gasped. Logan pulled me down to him and kissed me before rolling on top of me and thrusting into me quickly. “Right there baby.” I murmured.
*Tristian’s POV* I was going to get Haven back. I had to. I couldn’t let Logan win. Haven was my girlfriend and I needed her. I just had to remind her that she missed me. That I was the hot bad boy that had made her want to change her life. She couldn’t resist me when we first met, so she shouldn’t be able to resist me now, right? The only problem about that was I needed to enlist Viola's help. I needed Haven to think that she and I were back together to make her jealous and realize how much she truly missed me. Easy enough right? “No.” “What do you mean no?” I demanded. “I am not going to help you trick a girl with a dead father and a dying mother!” Viola exclaimed. “Okay, but why not? You’ve never had morals Vi, what’s changed?” “All that I’ve done is fucking up my karma! This is gonna make it worse. Find another girl, Trissy.” “Another girl won’t bother her,” I groaned. “You will though. She’ll be foaming at the mouth.” “I’m not doing it.” She crossed her arms. “You
~Haven's POV~“Shit. Fuck. Haven, I'm so sorry.” He rolled off of me pulling the covers up.“Why?” I asked.“I feel like I just completely took advantage of you just so I could finally fuck you. I was thinking with the wrong head.”“Well I wasn’t exactly protesting. You did nothing wrong.”“Yeah?” Logan whispered. “I’ve been trying to control myself with you and I just lost control.”“I’m glad you did. I was tired of waiting.” I smiled.“Was it good for you?” I nodded. “Good. It was amazing for me.”I pulled him to me. “Then we should keep doing it.”Logan smiled back and kissed me. “It doesn’t have to mean what I want it to mean.”“What do you want it to mean?”“That I’m your boyfriend.”“It could m
*Tristian’s POV*This was worse than when I blew up the building.I thought people hated me then, but that was nothing compared to how much everyone hated Trevor after finding out what he did. And they hated me by association.Grandma didn’t even go to church that Sunday. She said the whispers were loud enough at the grocery store and she couldn’t take it.Everyone whispered about me at school and gave me dirty looks. No one talked to me in class at all.Even my friends were avoiding me. But I think that had more to do with them being pissed that I’d lied to Haven again. Aleecia and Logan didn’t speak to me at all. I could tell Cam wanted to, but never did if Logan was in the vicinity. Kent was the only one who openly and actively talked to me anymore.“So how’s Haven?” I asked.“Dude, you know she’s bad. Her dad is dead and her mom has cancer.” Kent s
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