Tonight would be youth night at the church, just like every Friday. The thought had been running through Reyna's head since she woke up this morning. At one time she had loved these nights, a time where the adults were no where in sight for the most part of the night. Everyone played games, listened to music, and just had pure, wholesome fun. 

This safe haven had become a time of ridicule and embarrassment in the last year. Sure, most people still played games, and listened to music- but the chatter in between of gossip and crude remarks became a part of the schedule. Instead of rejoicing with the lack of adults in the room, Reyna encouraged adults to stay, so she had someone to talk to, to be protected by. She'd ask her parents to give the message earlier, and longer- just so she could get a moment where the whispers and remarks didn't reach her. 

Those requests rarely happened though.

As the bell rang to signal the end of school, Reyna quickly got her stuff from her locker and rushed towards the front door. She knew the dangers of staying after school when you weren't in the top league. Her eyes gazed over at a group of girls teasing another person and she shook her head. It amazed her how the same group would be at youth night giving testimonies of how close they were to God, while in school they made it their duty to pick on anyone they didn't feel was good enough. It was sickening. Reyna felt like saying something to them, but feared what the consequences would be if she did. She decided against it and hurried out.

Climbing into her daddy's old green Cadillac deville, her head buried against the seat the mass of curls spreading out and making themselves comfortable. **"How was school pumpkin?"** her dad spoke, giving a wave to a few of the passerby as he started up the car. *"Fine daddy."* she said, nodding. She didn't want to talk about what happened earlier that day with the boy against the tree, or how she cried her eyes out until Jennifer K came in and told her not to worry about the test she assumed Reyna had failed. **"Good."** pastor Carlson said, pulling out of the school's parking lot and heading towards the opposite way of home. 

**"I need you to run in Food n' Stuff to pick up some snacks and drinks for the youth night."** he commented as the two reached the store. *"Alright."* she nodded, as he parked out front, handing her a fifty dollar bill. Reyna got out of the car not far behind a hooded person. Reyna didn't notice the cashier, she was on a mission after all. She grabbed a shopping basket and filled it with a few bags of chips, a bag of cookies, and a couple liters of pop. The weight against her arm was hurtful but in a good way. An accomplished way.

As Reyna made her way up to the cashier she decided she'd go buy a chocolate bar for herself. Her dad had given her fifty dollars after all, what was one more dollar? Coming up next to the hooded person she noticed a splash of color slip out from the sides. She gave a soft smile. *"I like your hair."* she complimented, *"I could never pull it off, but you do nicely."* she said, not wanting to come off as too creepy. She had seen this person at school a few times (it was kind of hard to miss the bright hair), but didn't know them well enough to place a face or even a name. 

Grabbing a almond Hershey's bar she turned and began slowly walking towards the cashier, toting the heavy basket in the nape of her arm. It was nice to compliment someone every once in awhile, and you didn't always need a compliment in return. Reyna placed the heavy basket on the small conveyor belt, finally noticing the very emotional cashier. Reyna's smile turned into a straight lipped serious look. She didn't want to intrude on the girl's personal life but she wondered what was wrong as well.