"Hey, babe."
A familiar voice came from behind. A boy slid his arms around Kara's waist and pressed a kiss to her neck.
She froze.
Oh my God.
It was Todd. Her boyfriend.
Kara instantly pushed him away, stepping back in alarm.
"Kara, what's wrong with you?" Becky asked, raising an eyebrow. Her eyes dropped to Kara's outfit and widened in disbelief.
"What's up with your dress, Kara? You look like one of those church girls. What happened to the blue skirt and the crop top?" Becky scoffed.
Todd, Kelvin, and Iris turned to look at her properly. Their eyes scanned her outfit slowly, confusion written all over their faces.
Todd stepped forward, grinning.
"Where's that hot Kara I know? Please don't tell me Jesus came to visit you or something."
Kara took a deep breath and straightened her posture.
"You know what? That's enough. I dressed like this because I wanted to. And this... this is how I'll be dressing from now on."
Her voice was steady—firm.
This was the Kara who used to lead this group. She was the one they listened to. Even Todd bowed to her choices.
But today was different.
"Girl, uh-uh. You start dressing like this, and we're kicking you out of the group," Becky snapped, hands on her hips with a defiant tilt of her head.
Kara's heart skipped a beat.
"What is going on? They always listen to me. I'm the one they follow," she thought, her confidence wavering.
Todd stepped closer, voice cold.
"Kara, I'm going to be prom king. And you—prom queen. That's always been the plan. You think dressing like this and acting like some kind of saint is going to get us there?"
He looked her dead in the eyes.
"You better tell us what's really going on—or stay away from us."
Then, like a slithering shadow, Lucifer's voice coiled around her mind in a low, poisonous whisper.
"Oh, Kara... poor, confused Kara. What's it gonna be? You can't afford to lose them, can you? Without them, you're nothing. All your hard work? Gone. Wasted. Say something, anything... lie if you must."
Kara clenched her fists.
Why is Lucifer so loud... and why haven't I heard from God?
Michael? Haniel?
Do they even care?
Her thoughts spun, drowning her in doubt—until a gentle, calm voice spoke into her heart.
"Tell them the truth. Say that you're done living the sinful way... and that you're ready to walk a different path."
Peace washed over her. She exhaled.
"I've changed," Kara said softly. Then, louder, "I'm done living the sinful way. I'm ready to walk a different path."
Her group stared at her in stunned silence—then burst into laughter.
"Oh my God, Kara, did you hit your head or something?" Becky laughed, clutching her side.
"You must've had a crazy dream," Kelvin smirked.
"Jesus isn't coming anytime soon, so let's not get carried away. We'll let this little episode slide. You're still my best pal."
He patted her on the back and walked past her.
The others followed, chuckling as they headed into the classroom.
Just then, a group of girls nearby caught sight of Kara.
"OMG, isn't that Kara Williams? She looks like one of those church freaks," one whispered.
"I know right? Is Jesus, like, coming tomorrow or something?" another girl mocked, and they all laughed.
Todd turned back toward them with an icy glare.
"Looks like you all lost your manners."
His tone dropped, dangerously low.
They went silent immediately.