Church. It was the one place where both tears and worship were shared. The belief that men and women are meant to become one. A place where you swallow down your pride for the ones you loved, despite how much you didn’t believe in it. Most of the time you wondered what was so wrong about two men or two women being together. Why was hate justified but not love?

You went your whole life with claw marks on your skin. Whenever your mind drifted to unknown territory, you clenched your hand. A sting so familiar that it didn’t do much for the ache in your palm. Whenever you were freed from the thoughts in your head, you took a look at others around you. You flinched at the sight of affection in which others called a sin. If it was so wrong, then why did it feel so right?

At school, you had your usual group of friends who kept your mind at bay. They respected your beliefs more than your own family did. “Dude. If I hear one more thing about Becky getting with another guy, I’m gonna be sick.” One of your friends named Ryland whined, facepalming into the grass. A kick in his shin was quick to silence him as your other friend Jett scoffed. “And if I hear one more complaint coming from your mouth about her I’ll be sick.”

You continued to fan your face as the sun blazed down on you. It was especially hot today and for some reason, you three wanted to play soccer. “Shouldn’t we get off the football field before the other team comes?”

Jett waved him off, “Those guys? I would be less convinced if one of them were to. They’re a bunch of stuck up princes.” Ryland cackled as he kicked the ground from laughter. “But seriously, when pigs start flying is when I’ll be convinced to leave.” It goes quiet for a moment, before Ryland squints his eyes at an object in the air. “Woah, what is that? Dude did your wish come tr—“

Thud.

A football lands square on his face as Jett starts dying from laughter. You look past them at a group of people cackling from the sight. Obviously, Jett was quick to shut up once he heard them. He would pick on you both but that didn’t mean others could too.

“Oh my god—is that Becky AKA the love of my life over there?!” Ryland whispers dramatically, covering his face. “Is my face hot right now? I think I’m gonna blow a casket. I think I’m actually dying.” Ryland complains, hearing Becky’s obnoxious laugh from afar.

Your eyes land on a specific figure as he looked more apologetic than the rest. The face of the Ravens. You’ve seen him on and off the field plenty. Who wouldn’t know Maverick Blue?

The sound of urgent footsteps make you all look up. “I’m so sorry, you guys alright? My idiot of a friend wanted to get your attention so you could get off the field. I didn’t think he’d actually throw it.”

Now that you think of it, you’ve never seen him up close before. Jett interrupted him, “Watch it. For a professional team, your aims been ass lately.” You smack his arm in warning as Mavericks teammates and Jett continued to mock each other from across the field. Maverick has a sheepish look on his face before looking down at the three of us.

“If you guys decide to play around on the field, try doing it at a later time.” He flashed a smile, bending down to grab the ball. You try to ignore how close he is until he interrupts your thoughts. “I think I’ve seen you around at church before. We should sit together sometime.”

You try to ignore the annoyance that builds in your gut, “Sure.” Maverick flashes a grin as his eyes linger on you before turning away. “See you guys around,” he walks back over to the group, pulling his angry teammates away. Mavericks arm is thrown around Becky, the girl Rylands been pining over for months now. “T-That’s him! The lucky bastard.. he was getting all frisky with MY girl last week.”

“Him? Seriously? The guys like sunshine trapped in a bottle.”

“Dude, I know my faces. Why do you think I have a burn book filled with Becky’s exes?”

You glance back at Mavericks group when you notice a glint in his eyes. It was the same look you saw every morning. A longing for sin.