#michael harrison

Michael Harrison

I want to try to get in the habit of taking 10 minutes to draw each day, so here is Michael from HSS.

The Bible overflows with the character of God, and as I have shared recently, these verses lead us to pray Scripture back to God.  We learn about God, how He works and even how He loves and cares for us, His children.

Take a few minutes to read through some verses of the Bible and note the things you learn.  Mark what sticks out.  I am constantly amazed and grateful and encouraged by the greatness of our God.

Psalm 3:3  NLT  

But you, O Lord, are a shield around me; you are my glory, the one who holds my head high.

Psalm 5:7  NLT 

Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house; I will worship at your Temple with deepest awe.

Psalm 7:17  NLT  

I will thank the Lord because he is just; I will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.

Psalm 8:1  NLT  

O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth! Your glory is higher than the heavens.

Philippians 1:29  NLT  

For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for him. 

Philippians 2:9-11  NLT  

Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

There is so much more.  Those are just a few of the verses that remind us of who our God is and how He acts.

Take some time as the weekend begins to pray.  Pray Scripture and see how God shows up.  Enjoy His presence because He is worthy and we are needy!

See you at church this weekend!

lore about jamie's relationships with their parents, partner, and best friend

word count: 778

@hss-appreciation-events @choicesbookclub

Michael Harrison, After the Rain, 2006

Authors Note: Let me say that I apologize for not updating sooner. I've been doing other things and I haven't updated as much as I wanted. I want to set a goal for myself for two chapters a month. I thank you for you're time and patience. Please note that somethings in the story have been changed. I hope you enjoy.

@hss-appreciation-events @cadybear420 @lover-also-fighter-also

The teacher was shocked as Emma ran out the classroom, leaving behind a trail whispers of sobs and muffles.

Soon, a big hearty laugh echoed in the class, disrupting the silence that was there before.

"That. Was. Hilarious! Brian laughed, Please tell me someone got that on video!"

Caleb angrily turned back to look at his "friend". "You don't have to be a jerk all the time, you know."

"Dude...come on. It was funny!"

The entire class glared at Brian. You could tell that was no one thought that was funny.

Erica felt so awful. She didn't think kids here would get bullied as well but apparently that wasn't true. Brian reminded her of Brittney, Jocelyn and Cody and how they would treat her. It made her feel sick.

Just then the teacher dropped a hall pass on Erica's desk. The woman leaned into Erica's face to whisper, "Seems like maybe someone should go check on her..."

Erica understood thoroughly. She took the pass and tried to follow Emma to the bathroom.

Just as she was catching up, Emma turned a corner. Erica thought she lost her, but then realized the girls bathroom was right there. She walked in and found Emma crying by the sink. Her cheeks had rivers of tears and her eyes were almost bloodshot red. Erica tried to reach her hand out to her.

"Emma...Are you ok?" Erica asked.

"Erica? Wh...what are you doing here?" Emma replied.

"I just wanted to check in on you."

"It's ok...just head back to class...I'll be fine."

"I'm not going anywhere..."

Emma looked at Erica with open eyes. "Thanks, she said, But you still shouldn't have followed me. You've still got a chance to be someone at this school...to actually have a life."

Erica was taken a back. "I don't get it, she said, There's nothing wrong with you, as far as I can see."

"Don't you get it? It's always been this way.. I'm on the outside looking in!"

That was the sentence that made Erica blink. She has felt that way before. In Westchester, being the ultra positive Christian vegan girl would make you feel like an outsider to the gloomy town. Hell, even in her own family Erica felt like an outsider.

Erica continued to listen in.

"I spent last year working on homework, reading crappy young adult novels, and doodling pictures of Caleb in my notebook. I never even been to a party. I've always told myself that it was by choice, but when Brian said what he said, I knew that I was lying to myself."

Tears continued to run down Emma's face. Erica could see that state that Emma was in.

"Trust me Brian's party will suck! It would be full of nasty alcohol and dirty music. Not to mention that someone would get arrested! Now if you're interested in some real fun, my old church has this really great bible study program!" Erica comforted.

"Actually...Brian's known for having the most incredible parties, literally everyone is going to be there...including Caleb." Emma sighed. "Sorry, I'm just tired of feeling like a loser."

"If you think you're a loser then lets be losers together!"

Erica was going to give Emma the one thing she rarely had...a friend.

"It seems that you've been a lone wolf for a while, but that's over now! There's two of us, and now that's a pack!" Erica announced.

Emma gave a small smile, "You really think so?"

Erica smacked her heart. "I know so! Stick with me! Your life is going to get a whole lot better!"

It may have been the lighting but the bathroom seemed to beam a whole lot brighter and become more saturated than it did earlier.

Emma was a little skeptical though. She asked one final question.

"Why are you doing thins for me?"

Erica smiled. "Its because I'm your friend!"

Emma immediately began to sob ugly again and pulled Erica into a big hug. Erica was surprised but almost cried herself. She felt like Emma was her internally and felt uneasy because she gave a pep talk when literally no one else gave her one in the past. Erica decided to put those feelings to the side and comfort Emma.

They didn't realize it at first but the bathroom door opened to see an older student walking in. "Oop! I uh, hope I'm not interrupting anything!" She said blushing.

Emma leaned up to see and realized the position her and Erica were in, they were a little close.

"What?! Oh no we were just..." Emma started to say but then Erica grabbed her hand.

"Heading back to class!" Erica said with a big smile on her face.

With that the two walk back to homeroom hands in towed.

As they walked in the teacher smiled and instructed them to take a seat.

When the class ended, the two punk students from earlier caught up to Erica.

"Yo! Michael said, We just wanted to say that was pretty cool of you!"

"Yeah, Morgan commented, You didn't have to go after her like that, I wouldn't have.

Erica began blushing again, not at Michael's comment but Morgan's. It just sounded like something Ava would say. She immediately shook her head.

"Uh...thanks?" Erica responded.

"Sorry, we're not used to giving compliments, bad upbringings you know?" Michael snorted.

"Actually, you both don't sound so bad to me!" Erica smiled.

Morgan just smacked her lips. "That just shows how little you know about us!"

With that Morgan walked away. Michael stepped up to Erica. "Thanks.

As he walked away, Emma came up to Erica to lead her. It was time for the annual welcoming assembly!

As the pair took their seats in the auditorium, a sunny older woman ran onto the stage. Erica took notice of her. She was cheerful, bright and had a gorgeous smile. It was actually like looking into a mirror. Soon the woman raised the microphone to her lips.

"Welcome, children, to your first day of school!" She announced, but then she felt like she made a mistake.

"...I mean, not your first day of school ever, she corrected, Sorry, I've just moved here from Berry Elementary so this is a new environment for me."

The woman took notice of the student body. "Wow. You are all so big!"

As she looked at the student body she noticed Erica and Erica noticed her. Erica of course flashed her with a big smile. It gave the woman the hope of nailing the introduction.

"My name is Principal Hughs! I may be new, but you were all new to this place once, Hughs started, And that's the wonderful thing about a fresh start. You get to be anybody you want to be!"

With that she waved her hand in the air. "So...welcome to kindergar...I mean, high school!" She took a little firework and popped it, even though the confetti barely went anywhere.

Emma looked at Erica. "That was...actually kind of sweet. You didn't have to reassure her you know?" Emma said.

Erica just continued to smile. Erica saw herself in Principal Hughs. They were both cheerful, wore bright colorful clothes, and had big smiles. The principal at Westchester was more bitter, straight forward and could barely care what the students thought.

As the girls were walking out the auditorium, a prim student was running up to them with a notebook in hands. "Excuse me! Excuse me!" She announced.

While Emma was startled, Erica turned and greeted the young woman.

"Sorry to startle you, I'm Maria Flores, school president and chair of the Homecoming Planning Committee! Do you mind asking a few questions?" She asked.

However, Maria blinked in realization. It was her that saw Erica and Emma in the bathroom earlier. She soon shook her head as that was not important right now. Maria stood firm and tall and pointed.

"Question One! Are you currently planning to attend the Homecoming Dance?!" Maria asked.

Erica thought for a moment. "I'll think about it." She replied.

Maria was starting to get frustrated. "That doesn't answer my question! Is it yes or no?!" She asked.

"I mean I..." Erica started to say but Maria kept rambling.

"How am I supposed to plan a dance if everyone might come to it?! She questioned, Should I buy ten gallons of punch or fifty, a single bag of Doritos or a thousand?!"

Emma just blinked. "Probably not a thousand..."

"IT WAS A RHETORICAL QUESTION!"

Obviously going no where Maria began to leave with a huff. She had felt like she had wasted enough time.

When she was finally gone Emma just sighed. "That girl is stressed."

"No she's just hangry, like hungry plus angry? Erica commented. My brother Ivy gets like that too, but he soon eats stuff like hot dogs with relish and mustard and chocolate covered Oreos and then he feels better!"

Emma cringed at that.

Soon the lunch bell rang and the girls went into the cafeteria. Erica was amazed yet again. Yes, the cafeteria had basic school food such as pizza's, hamburgers, chicken sandwiches and nachos, however there was a little section that was more her style. It had fresh garden salad, veggie wraps, and bean burgers! Erica could almost cry, most of the time she would have to rely on bringing a lunch or going into the library because the food didn't go with her vegan diet.

With that Erica and Emma grabbed their fill and joined the many students. It seemed that every table had a designated group; one for the football players, one for the band kids, and one for the cheerleaders. Erica gazed at the cheerleaders, almost all of them looked so welcoming. The blonde one looked like they had a bit of an attitude though. It was almost like looking at Britney again. Still, Erica took a deep breath and walked towards them.

The girl in purple saw Erica and immediately greeted her. "Hi there!! She greeted. You must be new! I'm Payton! Welcome to Berry High!"

The blonde one soon turned in the similar direction. "My names Mia. Please tell me you're planning to try out for the cheer team!"

Finally a girl in a magenta cardigan turned. "I'm Sydney!!! Were SO desperate for fresh recruits!!!"

Erica was surprised, more so with Mia. Unlike Brittney, Mia was actually...nice and kind. However, the look she was giving Sydney might of gave her a bit of doubt.

"Were not desperate Sydney, that's a bad look!" Mia withered.

"We're...eager!" Payton said, cleaning up the spill.

Mia then leaned a bit back and smirked. "Not to mention very selective."

Erica was a little nervous. She tried out for cheer before but it didn't really go so smoothly. Now these girls think Erica has a chance of being a cheerleader.

"Do you really think I'd be a good fit?" Erica asked.

"Sure!!" Payton grined.

"You seem cheerful, but that's only half the battle!" Sydney noted.

It's true...Erica was one of the most cheerful people in the universe.

Erica didn't like the doubt clogging her head. One one hand it was pleasing to see a cheer team actually have faith in her, but on the other hand what if this was all a set up, a attempt to butter her up, gain her trust, and then embarrass her when she doesn't make the team?

Erica looked at the trio of girls again. "Its just that I'm new!"

"There's nothing wrong with that, you're a blank slate!" Payton commented.

"As long as you respect your elders, we'll get along just fine." Mia noted.

Sydney gave a troubled look which annoyed Mia. Mia then nudged Sydney and looked back and forth between her and Erica. With that Payton stood up with a smile. "I'd say we get out on the field and check out Erica's moves!"

Now Erica was really shocked, she was still trying to process what was going on with the team. Mia then closed her eyes and nodded. All three girls then grabbed Erica and borderline drug her to the football field. Once they got out there Mia turned to Erica.

"You're a sophomore right? Do you remember any of the cheers from your old high school?" She asked.

Erica shyly nodded.

"Well then...Show them!" Mia said walking back to the other members.

This was finally Erica's moment, her second chance on being a cheerleader. This time she was not going to fail. She put on a big smile and began to cheer.

We're furry!

We're cute!

Gonna give you the boot!

Our claws so strong!

Gonna make you cry!

All night long!

AWOOOOO!!!!!!!!

As she came down from her jump, she noticed that the cheerleaders had somewhat of appalled faces. This internally broke Erica, she was smiling but felt broken. She decided to finally break the silence.

"Was...was it bad?" She asked.

Sydney just blinked and Payton put her hand towards her mouth. Mia finally stood up.

"Are you from Westchester High?" Mia asked.

Erica, still smiling, cringed a bit. "Y...yes?"

"No way! Payton shouted, You're too sweet and joyful to be apart of that school!"

"Oh my God, did you hear about that little girl that died in that..." Sydney started to say but was cut off from Mia.

"Come on Sydney, she doesn't want to hear about that spooky crap! Mia grumbled. Anyway, aside from all that I'm impressed."

Erica started to feel happy about that, but she questioned how Sydney knew about what happened to Jane Marshall.

The girls gathered around Erica. Mia once again spoke. "Official tryouts are next week...we hope to see you there...we could use some fresh talent."

Sydney frowned.

Mia began walking back to the cafeteria. Erica noticed Sydney's sad face, but Sydney looked back up with a small smile. " I know she can come off as harsh, but she's going through some stuff right now."

"Oh did something happen or..." Erica started to ask.

"I don't want to spread gossip...but we really hope you come to tryouts!" Sydney wrapped up.

Later on after a period of Gym, Ancient History, and Algebra it was finally time to go home. Erica was only supposed to work in her mother's store during off days, weekends, or holidays so no work after school. After gathering her belongings and walking out Erica saw Caleb and Emma engaged in conversation.

"...And I wanted to say sorry for Brian, he's got a shitty sense of humor." Caleb apologized.

"Yeah...definitely." Emma sighed.

Both teens noticed Erica and Caleb nodded to Erica. "Same goes for you Erica, Caleb apologized, Brian and I have been friends forever but I'm tired of apologizing for him."

"Brian should be the one apologizing, not you." Erica noted.

"Yeah...but if you're waiting on Brian to apologize, it might take a few decades..."

"You seem so nice and cool...why do you hang out with such a bully?"

"He's been my friend since 3rd grade, I don't agree with his behavior sometimes but I can't just up and leave a dude I've known for so long."

"Caleb-"

Just then a pink sports jeep playing loud music pulls up to the trio! The driver jumped down and gave Caleb a huge kiss on the lips. This must be Zoe. She looked more mature, had a snooty look, and a attitude that screamed "I'm better than you!"

"There you are, you owe me an early dinner before we hit this party!" She said.

" Yeah...but I was just finishing a conversation with-" Caleb started to say.

"Would you seriously rather sit with this blonde background character and this "Moral Orel" reject than take me on a date? You owe me!"

"I know. I know."

"Now come on, we have to eat fast too because I need a hour and half to get ready for Brian's Party!"

With that she tugged Caleb to her car and drove off before Caleb can say goodbye, leaving jeep smoke to the two girls.

"Can you believe her?!" Emma said coughing.

"I know! She's so rude! Erica coughed back. I can't believe a nice guy like Caleb would date someone like her?"

"Oh I can! Emma said. Nice girls always finish-"

Just then a car came up to the girls. It was Erica's brother Ivy who had come to pick Erica up from school.

"Hey Hani! He greeted, Who's this?"

Just then Erica placed a hand on Emma with a big smile. "This is Emma, we became friends today!"

"Hey Emma! Did my sister try to convert you already?"

Emma was confused and Erica just blushed.

"Anyways, come on sis, lets go! He said.

As Erica walked to the car, she turned to Emma who had her head down in gloom. Erica looked at her older brother with puppy eyes, he sighed and said "Only if she need too..." in a different language.

Erica gasped in happiness and ran back to Emma. "Emma? She asked, Would you like a ride home?!"

Emma looked up and gave a shy smile. "I...I would like that...Thank you..."

Erica grabbed Emma's hand and the two went to the backseat. Soon Ivy pulled off.

As they were driving, Emma noticed something off. Did Erica's brother just speak Japanese to Erica? She wanted to know.

"H...Hey Mr. Um..."Emma stuttered.

"Ivy..." Ivy answered.

"Right, Mr. Ivy, I didn't know you could speak Japanese..."

"Our old man's Japanese, he taught us before he-"

Ivy stopped as he looked in the rearview mirror at his sister who looked upset.

"D...Don't worry about it kid, just know we're mixed and that's why we can speak Japanese." Ivy reaffirmed.

Emma was confused but didn't let it bother her. As Ivy put on his music, Emma and Erica began talking.

"I don't why, but I can't really trust her, I just feel like somethings up with Zoe." Erica whispered.

"I never trusted her to be honest. Emma whispered back. I wish I could go to the party just to see what she's up to."

"Well why don't you?"

"I'm not invited remember?"

"Well Brian did say you weren't invited, but he never said anything about a plus one!"

"Wait...What are you saying?"

Erica just smiled at her friend.

COMMISSION: Michael and Dolly

Summary: Bianca daydreams about some of the Berry High guys and then runs into them at lunch.

Rating: T

tags: @choicesficwriterscreations @choicesbookclub @hss-appreciation-events