I stood in the mirror, mentally preparing myself to do something I hadn't done in years. Last night, Malia convinced me to go to church with her and her family today. I haven't stepped foot inside a church since my mom's funeral. That was six years ago. I wasn't sure how to feel.

Malia walked back into the room, putting on her earrings. She looked at me, smiling a little. She walked towards me, gently pulling me to her. She fixed the collar of my shirt, and then she kissed my cheek. "Relax." She said softly. I let out a breath as she walked to the bed and grabbed her coat.

"It's been a while." I admitted.

She nodded her head. "I know. The good thing is that God isn't like us. He doesn't hold grudges." I nodded my head, agreeing with her. She threw on her coat, flipping her hair out of the way. I took a look at her appearance, sinning in my head.

"Ready?" She asked, snapping me out of my thoughts. I nodded my head, putting my wallet and phone in my pocket. "No you're not. Where's your coat? It's like twelve degrees outside." She moved towards my closet.

"I'm good. This a long sleeve shirt. Ima burn up." I looked at her. She ignored me and pulled out the coat that matched my pants.

"At least put something on your arms.. You're not gonna get sick on me." She said, handing me the coat.

I rolled my eyes slightly, taking it from her. I looked at her with a blank face. "Are you happy?"

"Ecstatic boo. You really look good in business attire. I might have to reconsider what I said last night." She giggled causing me to smirk at her.

She glanced her watch. "My mom should be heading there now so I need to be there before her." She announced, grabbing her purse and heading out. I nodded, following her out. I grabbed my keys before walking out of the apartment. She waited as I locked up and lead me to her car.

"Does your mom know?" I suddenly asked as we got into the car.

I watched as she placed her purse on the backseat. "Know what?"

I stale faced her. "About me and you, duh."

She bit her lip, and shook her head no. "Not yet. We can tell her today. If she asks, I haven't been staying at your apartment either. Ok? She'd kill me." She sighed.

I shrugged my shoulders. "We've only slept in the same bed once. That was last night and we didn't do anything."

She shook her head once again. "She doesn't care about the details. Sleeping in a bed with a man I'm not married to is a no no. It's why my sister haven't been around much lately. She's pregnant, well I assume she is.. She hasn't told anyone though. But, her and Brian are not married. I've had my soul snatched by your tongue. Mama will beat our asses."

I chuckled a little as she started the car and drove off. I hooked up my phone to the car through Bluetooth and played Blessings by Chance The Rapper. I bobbed my head a little as I looked out the window.

"Who is this?" She asked.

I looked at her like she was crazy. "You don't know who this is?" I dramatically placed my hand over my chest. She rolled her eyes and focused back on the road long enough to make a turn.

"If I did, I wouldn't be asking you." She glanced at me.

"That's sad, but this is Chance the Rapper. You should give him and this mixtape a listen. It's called The Coloring Book and it's like a hip hop gospel." I explained.

She nodded her head. "I like this song." She said as she turned up the radio. My eyes went back out the window as I suddenly began to think about my father. I wasn't sure why he was on my mind, but he was. My grandma had been worried about him and her worry caused my worry. I had to go visit her before March Madness started.

My mind shifted to my step mom. I wondered how she was because she was the one who had to deal with him now. I kind of felt bad for leaving her, but I had to be selfish. I thought she would've at least left him by now. I guess that wasn't the case.

"Ohhh, I love this song!" Malia exclaimed causing me to look at her. I listened to the song trying to see what it was. "Just know that we're blessed and highly favored." She sung, looking at me.

I grinned causing her to smile. She looked back towards the road, continuing to sing the song. It seemed like she got lost into the song. I sat and watched her sing this song because it intrigued me. She was so in love with God and I never thought I'd find that sexy in a woman. I was a nonbeliever, but I couldn't see why. He created this girl. That's all the evidence I should've needed.

She went through another sung before we pulled up to the church. It wasn't big like a megachurch, but it had nice size and it seemed like it had a big congregation. Malia grabbed my hand and I turned to look at her. "Ready?"

I nodded my head. "Yeah I am."

She motioned for me to come closer and I leaned in. She gently grabbed my face, kissing my lips gently. "I'm proud of you." She said softly before placing another kiss on my lips. I swear I would've done this the first day I met her if I knew she would kiss me like this. Those lips were magic. Also, they tasted like chocolate.

She rubbed my lips then grabbed her purse out the backseat. I watched as she got out of the car before shaking my head in awe. I got out, and buttoned my suit coat. She locked her doors and took me by surprise when she grabbed my hand. I didn't complain though. They were soft.

We walked up the steps to the doors and headed inside. Church hadn't quite started yet, but I saw that Mrs. King had beat us here. I looked at Malia who didn't seem to phased by it though. We walked over to where her and Makayla were sitting at. Makayla noticed us first. "Liaaaaa!" She cooed, getting up to hug her sister.

"Hey sis. You're beautiful as always." Malia said, glancing her over before placing a kiss on her cheek. She turned to Mrs. King who seemed to be in a great mood. "Hey mommy." Malia greeted, hugging her tightly.

"Look who's our special guest." Makayla joked, giving me a hug.

"Yeah, yeah." I replied, hugging her back. We pulled away from each other and I moved to greet Mrs. King. "Hey Mrs. K." She looked from Malia and at me.

"Khari!" She greeted warmly. "What a pleasant surprise.." She looked at Malia. "Why you didn't tell me he was coming?"

"It was last minute mom." She nodded her head as we all took our seats. I sat between Malia and Mrs. King while Makayla took the outside seat.

"Well, I hope you enjoy service. I'm sure you will though." Mrs. King patted my back.

"Yeah. I'm sure I will." I agreed.

The three of them engaged in a conversation while I looked around the church. The seats were almost filled to capacity which meant that it probably was a good church. The guy who I assumed was the pastor was conversing with any and everyone. He was a tall guy with a shiny bald head. His beard was full of grey hair and his voice carried throughout the room.

The ushers weren't the old women you were used to seeing. They were young, ages 14 to at least 24. I looked before me to see the choir and they were a mixture of old and young. I sighed in relief because I didn't wanna fall asleep. That'll be tragic and I'm sure Malia would be pissed.

My thoughts were broken up when I heard Maya's voice. I looked up to see her with kind of sad expression on her face. It looked like she hadn't slept in days. I was surprised to see that Brian wasn't with her. "Hey Maya!" Makayla greeted happily.

She gave Makayla a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Hey Makay.. Hey Lia." She greeted.

"Hey.." Malia greeted back. I looked at her to see her eyeing Maya with an observant look. Typical Malia.

"Hey mommy." She said, placing a kiss on her face as she took her seat beside Malia. "Khari.. Nice to see you again."

I nodded my head. "You too."

"Are the saints of the Lord ready to give God praise?" The Pastor spoke into the mic. I'm not sure why he needed one, but oh well. Everyone yelled with a yes and a couple of people went a little overboard, but I wasn't here to judge. The first thirty minutes was nothing, but announcements and taking up tithes and offerings.

"Before we get into the sermon, the choir is going to raise our spirits. Cause some of us are looking pretty down and uh.. That's not a good thing in God's house." He spoke again.

"Yes!" Malia said, agreeing before looking back at Maya, who seemed to be in her own little world.

"Come on choir!"

A little girl stepped down to grab the mic from him and stood off to the side. The music started playing and the choir began clapping their hands. Malia, Makayla, and Mrs. King stood up, joining the choir and leaving Maya and I sitting down. At least I wasn't by myself. The girl began to sing the lyrics in her sweet, angelic voice.

I stood up to give her a standing ovation like the rest. She killed that song. I felt that in my spirit. "I love her." Malia said as we sat back down. She leaned in to whisper in my ear. "Her name is Bailey and she's such an angel. I used to be her big sister in our big sister, little sister program. She's very intelligent as well."

"Look at you." I smirked.

She blushed a little. "I like being a role model. So what." She shrugged a little causing me to chuckle. "Oh & I meant to tell you that our pastor name is Pastor Bernard." I scrunched my nose at his name causing her to giggle and hit me playfully. I chuckled lowly. "Play too much."

"Shh." Mrs. King glared at us causing us both to straighten up. Makayla giggled and she got popped on the head. "I beat grown kids as well." She gritted through her teeth. "And take that gum out your mouth, Malia."

Malia groaned, but did as told. "I'm hungry." She mumbled. I snorted, and she elbowed me on the low.

"Are we good now?" Pastor Bernard asked the people and once again, they exaggerated their "yes." "Good. I wanna discuss how God is..personal. People see God as far removed, a distant, unapproachable power.. That's simply not true." I shifted a little in my seat, clearing my throat. He placed his hands in his pockets, and walked away from the podium and looked around. "The question of the day is how do you see God? Oh.. It got quiet." He chuckled.

Everyone joined in with him as he made his way back to the podium. "Psalm 91. That's where this sermon is coming from."

Malia pulled out her Bible from out of purse and another one, handing it to me. It was mine. "Thanks." I mumbled, opening it to the Book of Psalms." Once he felt that everyone was there, he continued with the sermon.

"In Psalm 91, David understands and knows the personal nature of God. "I will say of the Lord, 'He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust' ... who is my refuge." He glanced up. "Here was a man who knew God intimately. He dwelled with him. He lived in conscious fellowship with him, drawing strength from him daily. And, God did some amazing things for him: He saved him. He covered him. He protected him. He guarded him. God restates what he will do for David in verses 14-16. Notice the eight 'I wills' of God."

"While all this is true to the nature of God. There is another very important reason God acted. Don't overlook the important basis for God's action. The key is tucked away in verse fourteen: "for he acknowledges my name." David recognized, respected, and trusted in the name - the person, nature, and character of God. But he could only do that because he knew God in a personal and intimate way."

"Come on Pastor!" A lady yelled.

Mrs. King and Makayla clapped as others joined them. Maya and Malia's lasted a little longer than others. I was too busy marinating on his words. I continued to listen intently.

"Let me remind you that God is not simply a power, he is a person. As a person, you can relate to him and love him and get to know him. "My" God is personally involved and absolutely intimate in nature. While I can't possess him, I can be possessed by him. While I can't understand all about him, I can know him. Amen?"

"Amen!"

"I'm here to tell you to get to know God personally.. Get intimate with him.. That man's love is definitely unconditional and I surely don't deserve it, but he loves to extend his grace and mercy." He smiled. "I know that because I know him."

"He is a God who is present! He is not simply a God who is out there, but a God who is right here. He is my God, your God, a personal God that walks with us in the here and now!" He exclaimed. "Once I saw etched in a door the words 'God was here.' When I returned to the spot a week later, someone had marked through 'was' and etched above it 'is.'"

He received standing ovation that I decided to be a part of. "God is here!! That's our God, he is here, every day, every step!!" He exclaimed causing the congregation to go crazy. The piano man went wild and the elderly began praising the Lord's name. "Every turn, every situation!!!" He continued.

The choir began to sing Get Your House In Order and I looked to see Malia comforting Maya who was breaking down. Makayla walked around to join her sisters. Mrs. King seemed concerned, but decided to let it go for now. She sung along with the choir.

I allowed a few tears to fall discreetly and quickly wiped them away. I had to get my house in order and get to know God on an intimate level. It seemed like my soul was craving for it.

The sound of forks hitting plates were the only sounds as we ate our food. We decided to come to a local steakhouse. "Is everything alright?" The waitress came to the table.

"Yes, thank you." Mrs. King answered.

She nodded her head and her eyes landed on me as I scooped some potatoes in my mouth. She was a white girl who looked real familiar. Pretty sure I'd seen her around campus before. "You're Khari, right?" She asked.

Malia looked up once she said my name then looked at me. "Yeah." I said.

"I'm a huge Georgetown fanatic. I attend school there too. I'm Taylor from the bookstore." She said, like I was supposed to remember her. I ain't never stepped foot in that bookstore. I nodded my head, not really interested in talking anymore.

"You're really good! I'm glad you're on our team." She said excitedly as she touched my arm. I also didn't miss the salacious look in her eyes. She was a bold one especially to flirt with me in front of these sistas. The King women all had their eyes on me causing me to sip my water. "I—"

"Listen, Taylor." Malia interrupted. "You've made your point. Thanks for the compliment. Now, go find some other man to flirt with cause this one is spoken for." She flashed a fake smile. Mrs. King, Makayla, and Maya lifted their eyebrows in surprise simultaneously. I just took another sip of my water.

Taylor walked off, embarrassed. Malia glared at me briefly before taking a sip of her tea. All I could do was smirk because that shit was sexy. She was jealous and it was cute on her. Although, she had nothing to worry about. I didn't roll with the swirl.

"Wow." Mrs. King said as she wiped her mouth. "Interesting." She quipped. Maya and Makayla began laughing causing Malia to playfully roll her eyes. "Khari, you've finally got your girl huh?" She looked at me.

"Mommmm." Malia groaned.

"Yeahhhh, Mrs. K. That's my baybeh.." I shook my head dramatically. "She's a stubborn one though." I joked. Malia hit me causing me to shake my head again. "Abusive too."

"Awwww, y'all so cute." Makayla cooed, messing with Malia.

"I told you." Maya said simply as she looked at Malia with a smirk before she continued eating. I looked at Maya wondering what she was talking about, but didn't ponder on it too long.

"She was about to fight Becky over her boo." Makayla snorted.

"I swear.. I don't even roll with the swirl, ya heard me?" I looked at Makayla.

"The swirl?" Mrs. King asked. "What's what?"

"It's when you mix chocolate and vanilla mom." Maya explained. "In Khari's case, it's white chocolate and vanilla." I stale faced her causing her to giggle. "Simply put.. He don't do white women."

"Ohh.." Mrs. King nodded her head. "Good choice."

"No white women huh, Mrs. K?" I asked.

She shook her head. "No, sir. My daughter's honey chocolate skin is good for you. They're not. All that girl saw was dollar signs because she got real excited when she mentioned how good you were. White women only love black men enough to have their babies and collect their pay checks."

"Preach, mama." Malia agreed.

"I like black women too much anyway." I discreetly glanced at Malia. "They're sweet and juicy." I mumbled. Malia choked on her drink causing me to pat her back. It took her a few minutes to regain control and she glared at me again. I'm gonna get an ear full once we leave here.

"You're ok?" Makayla asked.

Malia nodded her head. "I'm fine."

"So." Mrs. King turned to Maya. "You're ready to talk?"