Chapter 10: Sunday Morning
866 Words
Sunday mornings in Damson’s community always felt slower than the rest of the week.
The streets near the church were already filled with people before service even started — families walking together, teenagers laughing loudly, older members greeting each other like they hadn’t seen each other in years even if it had only been a week.
It felt normal.
Almost too normal.
Damson walked beside his mother and Misha, hands in his pockets, trying not to think too much. For once, his mind wasn’t heavy. The strange thoughts from the past days felt distant this morning, like they had been pushed somewhere far away where they couldn’t reach him easily.
He didn’t question it.
He just… let it be.
Inside the church, the familiar sound of soft singing filled the space. Damson sat between his mother and Misha, leaning slightly back in his seat. His eyes drifted around lazily, not really focusing on anything in particular.
He felt tired, but not the kind that came from lack of sleep.
More like emotional exhaustion finally loosening its grip.
Misha leaned closer to him.
“You look like you’re actually present today,” she whispered.
Damson gave a small side glance. “I am present.”
She smirked. “Barely.”
He didn’t respond, but there was no irritation in it this time. Just silence.
After service, the usual movement began again — people standing, talking, greeting one another as they moved toward the teen hall.
Damson followed slowly behind Misha and his mother.
For once, he wasn’t rushing to keep up with anything inside his head.
He just walked.
In the teen hall, the atmosphere was lighter. Chairs were scattered slightly, music playing low in the background, groups forming naturally.
Jade was already there, waving him over to their usual corner.
But as Damson walked closer, his steps faltered.
Two very familiar figures were standing by the snack table.
Damson blinked, completely caught off guard.
“Oh… you’re here?”
Jake turned around, his face instantly lighting up when he spotted Damson.
“Oh, you also come here? That’s cool!” Jake said, grinning widely.
“Yeah,” Damson replied, still trying to process seeing them outside of school. “What are you guys doing here?”
Jake shrugged happily. “My mum found out there was a church around the neighborhood, so she said we should come check it out.”
Behind Jake, Jackson turned around slowly. He was holding a small cup of water, looking as calm and unreadable as ever. He gave Damson a short, quiet nod.
Immediately, Damson rolled his eyes and looked away, continuing his walk over to the seats.
Jade slid into the seat beside Damson almost immediately as they all sat down, with Jake trailing close behind.
“You’re less annoying today,” she said.
“I wasn’t aware I was annoying any other day,” Damson replied.
“That’s exactly what an annoying person would say.”
Jake laughed from the side.
For a moment, everything felt normal.
Then Damson noticed him.
Michael was across the hall, talking with a few other teens near the front. Michael was one of the older boys who always helped lead the teen group discussions, carrying himself with an easy, effortless confidence that everyone seemed drawn to.
Damson didn’t stare immediately.
At least, not at first.
It was accidental.
A glance that lasted slightly longer than it should have.
Michael laughed at something someone said, then turned slightly — and his eyes briefly met Damson’s.
Just for a second.
Not intense.
Not dramatic.
Just a moment.
Damson quickly looked away.
Too quickly.
He cleared his throat and shifted in his seat.
Jade noticed immediately.
“What?” she asked.
“Nothing,” Damson said.
But his ears were slightly warmer than before.
Jake leaned in, grinning. “You’re acting weird.”
“I’m not.”
“You are.”
Damson didn’t answer.
Because even he didn’t fully understand why his chest felt slightly lighter than usual whenever Michael was around.
It wasn’t loud.
It wasn’t obvious.
It just… existed.
Later, as conversations continued around him, Damson found himself less inside his head and more inside the moment.
He didn’t think about the drink.
He didn’t think about the scent.
He didn’t think about anything he couldn’t explain.
For once, he let it all sit far in the background.
And when he glanced up again briefly, Michael was still there — still talking, still smiling, still unaware.
Or maybe not unaware.
Damson wasn’t sure.
He just knew one thing.
This feeling was different.
Not confusing like before.
Just unfamiliar in a quieter way.
And for the first time in a while, Damson allowed himself to stop searching for answers.
- Writer
