• "Alone. Again."
    Ali sat in her history class thinking about the Homecoming dance. Was it really so bad that she had dumped her boyfriend then? He HAD made her pass out, he HAD cheated on her, and he HAD been a jerk the last month that they were together. I guess it was pretty justified... but why must he always make me like the bad guy?
    There was nothing, nothing, in the world that could possibly make her feel better. Or so she thought.

    Fast forward two months.

    Sitting on the bus up to church camp, Ali thought, Can God really ever let me be happy again? I really like Mason, but will he ever like me back? I don't understand things sometimes. Life requires too much thinking. The first night, Ali spend her time being with God and her friends. The next day, however, was going to be a jolt to her system.
    The morning started out normal enough. Ali got up, got dressed, went to the mess hall for breakfast with her friends, and then got in some prayer time. By the time lunch had rolled around, it had started to snow and Ali's thin jacket wasn't enough protection from the cold. Looking around, she spotted Mason's friend Taylor. He had a very large, warm jacket on. Walking up to Taylor, she quietly asked him, "Is there enough room for me in there? I'm REALLY cold."
    Taylor looked at her a little weirdly and then opened up his jacket to share.
    "Th-th-th-th-thanks," Ali said, teeth chattering.
    "Uh, you're welcome," Taylor sheepishly said, "Hey, you went to elementary school with me, didn't you?"
    "Uh-huh," Ali replied, "I remember your mom was the librarian."
    "Yeah," Taylor chuckled, "Good times. By the way, I can feel your hands and they're freezing." He held Ali's hands between his to try to warm them up.
    "Yeah, they are. Why haven't we really talked before? You're really nice."
    "Well, I'm not exactly a people person."
    "I can't tell. You're really easy to talk to."
    "Really? I don't think so."
    "Really."
    Ali and Taylor got to talking about their lives and goals for the rest of the day. Before they relized it, it was 8 o'clock and time for Adoration.
    Ali turned to Taylor, "Do you want to sit by me?"
    "Yeah, sure. I was planning on it anyways."
    "Cool."
    They both sat down just as the priest was coming in with the Eucharist. Ali and Taylor both knelt and began to pray. During adoration, Ali became overwhelmed with tears. Crying out from the physical and emotional pain she felt, she collapsed to the floor. After a few minutes, she felt Taylor's hand on her trying to comfort her. Ali finally was able to calm down and then she focused on praying. Entering into a conversation with God.
    Ali, my child.
    Yes, Lord?
    I love you.
    I know, Lord.
    ...
    Lord?
    Yes?
    There are so many people in here hurting, and so many more in the world. What do I do to help them?
    Become a nun.
    Lord, I don't know...
    It's that or marry Taylor.
    Lord... I hardly know him.
    He's good for you.
    Ok, Lord, let your will be done.
    The conversation carried on in that same manner until Adoration was over, and Ali had to stop her prayers. When she finished, she looked over at Taylor.
    "I need to tell you something. I think I just got a calling to become a nun."
    "Really?! That's great! I got a calling to become a priest."
    "That's amazing!! I'm so happy for you!"
    "There's something else though..."
    "Yeah, what is it? After today, I think you could tell me anything." Ali laughed.
    "God told me that if I couldn't, that I should be with you."
    Ali sat there shocked. Didn't she just have the same exact conversation with God?
    Taylor looked at Ali apprehensively, "I knew I shouldn't have told you."
    "No, it's not what you said. Well, it is but not in a bad way. I had that conversation with God too."
    "No way."
    "Yeah, I know..."
    They both were silent for a minute.
    "Hey, Taylor?," Ali hedged.
    "Yeah, Ali?"
    "I think we should pray about this and make sure."
    "I agree."
    "And..."
    "And?"
    "Will you wait for me? No matter how long it takes?"
    "Of course."
    "Promise?"
    "I always mean what I say."
    "Please. Promise me."
    "I promise."

    Fast Forward a month and a half:

    Every night Ali and Taylor talked on the phone for three hours since the camp. And every night they both prayed about being in a relationship with each other. Even though Ali and Taylor only got to see each other at church, they kept their friendship alive.

    One night at church, as Taylor was about to leave to go home, Ali caught up to Taylor to say goodbye.
    "Hey Taylor, wait up," Ali shouted almost breathlessly as she sprinted to catch up to Taylor, "I need to tell you something."
    "What?" Taylor laughed, "Did you forget to tell me something inside?"
    "Yeah I did."
    "Yeah?"
    Ali was blushing now. "You know how you're supposed to say to someone that God loves them and you love them too?"
    "Yeah? Where are you going with this?"
    "Well, I've been praying about us, and I need to tell you something."
    Taylor looked confused.
    "Taylor, God loves you... and so do I."
    Taylor looked at Ali, saying nothing.
    "Sorry. It's just how I feel and I don't know if you feel the same way anymore, or if you ever did. Probably not since I'm not that pretty and - ."
    Taylor pinched Ali's lips together to stop her from saying anymore.
    "How could you think that I don't love you? I've loved you since that night at Adoration. I've been praying too, and honestly, if I'm meant to become a priest, then that's what will happen. If you're meant to be a nun, then you'll be one. But for now, I can't live without you anymore. I know you told me to wait, and I will if you're not ready, but I love you. I'm always going to be yours."
    He un-pinched Ali's lips and kissed her sweetly. It was both of their first kiss.
    "Will you be mine, Ali?"
    "Yes."
    "Forever?"
    Ali kissed him again.
    "Yes," she whispered, "Always."