Dare to Be Different by Nicole O'Dell Read Free Book Online Page B

see,” Sam promised. After that dare, they admitted thatthey were tired but had one more Truth or Dare to administer. It was Kelly’s turn. “I’m going to pick Truth this time.”
    Lindsay, Macy, and Sam conferred for a quick minute about what to ask Kelly. Nothing seemed to faze Kelly, so it was tough to come up with a question that would be difficult for her to answer. At Lindsay’s prodding, they agreed to go another route on her behalf.
    “Kelly,” Lindsay began, “you must answer the following question truthfully. Do you already know what dare you will give to me next time, and will it be something horrible?”
    Kelly shook her head and laughed. “Okay, you guys took the tired and easy way out, but that’s fine. Um … yeah … I already know what I’ll recommend. And, yeah, it will be horrible for you, Linds, but oh so much fun for us.” Kelly grinned wickedly at the thought, while Lindsay wondered yet again what she had gotten herself into.

Chapter 7
YOUTH GROUP
    Flames were visible through the trees as Lindsay and her dad pulled into the church parking lot just before the start of the first youth group session after the summer break. Knowing that there would be a bonfire that night, Lindsay had planned ahead by bringing a blanket to sit on, a jacket in case it got cool, and some snacks to share with the group. She wore her favorite designer jeans—she only owned one pair of true designer jeans, unlike many of her friends who had several, if not many, pairs—and her best cropped sweater over a white satin cami. Getting out of the car, she felt like a fashionista as she grabbed her things and, as an afterthought, reached into the back to get herBible just in case she needed it.
    “Bye, Dad! I’ll see you at nine.”
    As her dad backed out of the parking lot, Lindsay took off for the tree line, toward the flames that rose higher and higher as the youth leaders fed more wood into the fire, getting it to roar.
    “Hey, guys, need some help?” Lindsay called over to the guys working on the fire as she approached the clearing.
    “Whooo-hoooo!” One of them whistled as she approached. “Summer was good to you, Linds.”
    Lindsay saw that it was Rob calling out to her. He was one of her church buddies whom she’d known since she was four. “Ha, ha, funny, Rob.” Lindsay assumed he was teasing her.
    “I’m serious, Linds. You look great,” Rob continued.
    “Well, thanks,” Lindsay replied, her cheeks reddening from sudden embarrassment caused by the attention, half wishing she had worn a different outfit but secretly pleased with herself for her choice. She jumped in to help with the setup and got the firewood stacked up and readyto be added to the fire as needed, hoping to avoid any further comments or attention about her appearance.
    When it was time to begin, the youth minister, Pastor Steve, took out his guitar to begin the worship time. As the music started, everyone grabbed a seat around the fire. Some sat on the ground; some sat on blankets they had brought from home. Lindsay perched atop a tree stump.
    Pastor Steve sat on a log and began to lead the group in some of the fun, rousing choruses that they learned at camp that summer and then some deeper, more soulful choruses to lead them into worship. The music went on for almost an hour but seemed to come to an end fast because of the atmosphere and the feelings of unity and friendship they all felt.
    “Let’s take this time to share some testimonies of how God blessed us or worked through us this summer,” the youth minister suggested after the worship time wound down. “Who would like to go first? How about you, Rob? Would you like to share with us about what you did this summer?”
    “Sure,” Rob excitedly agreed. “I spent aboutsix weeks traveling with a medical missions team through Mexico. It was amazing in so many ways. I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything, and I can’t wait to do it again.
    “In specific, I came in