Gay the Pray Away by Natalie Naudus

Author:Natalie Naudus [Naudus, Natalie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Young Adult
ISBN: 9798990080119
Amazon: B0CW73G555
Goodreads: 209563856
Publisher: Little Mountain Media
Published: 2024-06-03T22:00:00+00:00

Walking into church on Sunday, I’m vibrating with excitement. I can’t wait to see Riley. I’m walking briskly toward the sanctuary to look for her when Andrew intercepts me, standing in my way, his skinny form somehow imposing, blocking my path.

“Hi, Valerie,” he mumbles.

“Oh, hey. Hi, Andrew!” I pull my face up into a smile. Why is he always trying to . . . I’d say “talk to me,” but he doesn’t talk so much as stand in my way and stare.

“How was your week?” he tries.

“It was good!” We stare awkwardly at each other’s feet. “How was your week?” I did get a lecture about being nice, so I guess I’ll give it some minimal effort.

“It was great!” He smiles. I guess he is nice, I should be nice. I’m just so genuinely annoyed by him on a cellular level. Every epithelial cell in my skin is leaning away from him.

“We’ve been splitting wood.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah, getting ready for the winter. You know.”

“Cool.”

We almost make eye contact but both swerve our eyes away from each other, him staring at my shoes and me peering behind him toward the sanctuary.

“Well, I guess I’d better . . .” I start.

“Oh yeah, of course. See you around, Valerie!”

“Bye, Andrew.” I catch sight of my mom across the foyer. “Have a great week!” I add cheerfully, projecting it so she hears. Good grief, my life is such a pathetic performance, always. His face brightens like he thinks I mean it.

“I will! You too!”

I hurry past my mom with a quick “Hey Mom, I’ll save us seats!” and into the sanctuary, looking around for Riley. There, off to the side, I see Riley and her mom already seated. Perfect. I slide in next to her with a quiet smile, laying my sweater out across the seats to save space for Mom, Dad, and David.

“Hey!” Riley grins at me. God, I missed her.

“Hey,” I breathe. She leans forward and gives me a hug, and I remember that hugs are okay. No one will suspect anything from a hug. I throw my arms around her and squeeze.

Riley laughs. “You hug like a train wreck! Let a girl breathe!”

“Sorry!” I laugh. “I just missed you!”

“Yeah. Me too, Val.”

My mom slides into the seat next to me, greeting Riley and her mom warmly, and the service starts. I don’t hear a thing, my thigh pressed tight against Riley’s the whole time. When the pastor launches into a lengthy prayer, Riley reaches her hand out, palm up, and I smile. Blessed be heteronormativity, I guess. I take her hand in mine—it’s warm, her callouses are rough. Her thumb strokes over my hand, and it’s all I can do to keep from moaning out loud in church.

I’ve never wished for a prayer to last longer, but I could happily sit here holding Riley’s hand all freaking day. Sadly, the prayer draws to a close and Riley gives me a parting squeeze. We lock eyes as our hands slowly slide apart. I am so, so gone for this girl.

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