Breaking Barriers: Jonah Finds His Voice

Chapter 16 - "Jonah? Really? The church boy?"

Another day had begun, a Tuesday morning, just like any other. I could hear the sound of someone calling my name from the front door, the voice ringing all too familiar. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and sighed, rolling out of bed.

As I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, I heard a familiar voice calling my name from outside my front door. "Ava! Ava, wake up sleepyhead! It's time for school!" I groaned, knowing exactly who it was. Genevieve, my best friend and neighbor from next door, always had a way of making an entrance. Even though it was early on a Tuesday morning, she was already full of energy and excitement.

"Ava, Ava, come on, wake up!" Genevieve's voice echoed from outside the front door, as she shouted my name loudly. I groaned, rolling over in bed, trying to ignore her persistent calls.

"Ava, I know you're awake. Come on, it's a beautiful Tuesday morning and we have school!"

"I'm coming, I'm coming," I grumbled as I sat up in bed, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.

Footsteps approached down the hallway and Ethan's voice asked, "Who is it?"

"It's just Genevieve," I replied, rolling my eyes.

"Oh, okay. I'll get it," Ethan said, as he made his way to the front door.

The sound of Genevieve's laughter filled our house, and I couldn't help but smile. Despite her annoying tendencies, I couldn't help but love her for her endless enthusiasm and bubbly personality.

I made my way to the bathroom, getting ready for the day ahead. I knew I'd have to deal with Genevieve's excitement, but I couldn't help but feel grateful for her being my best friend.

As we walked to school, Genevieve suddenly said, "So, I have this crush right now..." 

I gave her a suspicious stare, wondering who could possibly be the object of her affection, "Really? Who is it?"

Genevieve chuckled, "Let's see if you can guess. 

"He has brown hair and charming eyes."

I raised an eyebrow, "That could be anyone. Can you give me more details?"

Genevieve continued, "He's kinda shy and mysterious sometimes. Oh, and he's also involved in his faith, always spreading positivity."

Ethan chimed in, "Sounds like a great guy. Do we know him?"

Genevieve smirked, "I'll give you one more hint. He's in our school and we have a class together." She said to Ava.

I thought for a moment, "It still could be anyone. Can you just tell us already?"

Genevieve playfully shook her head, "Nope, I want to see if you can guess first. Come on Ava, you're usually good at these things."

"No idea, Gen. Who is it?" I asked, intrigued by her teasing.

"It's Jonah," she said, trying to contain her excitement.

I scoffed at the mention of his name. "Jonah? Really? The church boy?"

Ethan chimed in, "Hey, he's actually my Life Group leader. And he's a great guy, you should give him a chance."

"Nah, I don't do church stuff." I said dismissively.

Genevieve looked disappointed, "Ava, you shouldn't judge someone just based on their religion. You don't know him like I do."

I raised an eyebrow and asked, "Oh really? What's so good about Jonah?"

Genevieve's confident expression suddenly changed and she stammered, "W-well, he's just...he's just so cute and kind, you know?"

I pressed on, "That's it? That's all you know about him?"