Kara got into her mum's car. Tears streamed down her face as she pounded the steering wheel again and again. She had failed.
She started the car and sped off into the night.
As she drove, memories flooded her mind — the accident that had nearly taken her life.
Suddenly, trauma gripped her. She was lost in the memory of the crash, her heart racing as she didn't notice the vehicle coming straight toward her.
By the time she saw it, it was too late. She screamed.
Then, a bright light flashed between the cars. An invisible hand gently turned the steering wheel.
Kara looked up in shock — she had narrowly dodged the collision.
Tears fell freely as she whispered, "God, I am sorry."
Back home, Kara found her mum pacing in the living room.
"Kara, I thought we agreed you'd come back early. It's eleven o'clock!" Nareen's voice was sharp but softened as she took in Kara's disheveled appearance. It was clear the night had been rough.
Kara, overwhelmed and unable to explain, said nothing. She hurried to her room and locked the door behind her.
She wept for hours before finally drifting into a restless sleep.
The next morning, Kara skipped school.
"Honey, what's going on? Are you feeling left out because of how you've been changing?" Nareen asked, worry etched on her face.
"No, Mum. I'm just tired," Kara murmured, pulling the covers over her head.
At school, news of Kara's night at the party spread quickly.
When the church group heard, their reactions were mixed.
"Hah! What's gotten into her? Is Jesus coming back already?" Becky sneered.
"That's enough, Becky. I've decided we're going to visit Kara after school," Hannah announced firmly.
The others exchanged uneasy looks.
"Hannah! Christianity doesn't mean we have to be low-lifes!" Becky snapped.
"If you were really brave, Becky, you would've spoken up when people talked trash about us. Just do as I say. We're visiting Kara. Maybe God's still working on her, and it's our job to show love. Am I the only one who reads the Bible here?" Hannah challenged, then walked away.
At the school cafeteria, Becky, Kelvin, and Todd sat at a table, quietly discussing Kara's strange behavior.
Todd looked confused. "She obviously missed me," he said.
"That doesn't matter anymore. She called us trash and has been acting weird. I think she wants nothing to do with us now. College is just around the corner," Kelvin said, disappointment clear in his voice.
"Kelvin, stop blaming yourself. We're not her friends anymore. It's time to accept it," Becky said, peeling a banana.
"Where's Iris?" Todd asked, but no one answered.