The wind howled, whipping the branches up above in erratic, angry movements as Riana headed down the sidewalk. It was typical weather for a spring day here. The weather forecaster had promised warm temperatures but the nefarious wind made it feel much cooler and belied his positive prediction.

Riana grabbed her rebellious hair, which flew around her head in crazy patterns, took a hair elastic from her pocket and secured her unruly mass into a ponytail. Satisfied, she tucked her hands into the pockets of her spring coat and hurried ahead. She didn’t know why he’d picked this day to meet. Why they needed to get together at the park by the water fountain still confused her. Why was there all this secrecy? Couldn’t he have told her what he needed to say at school, after the last class?

Even with the questions, she couldn’t ignore the anticipation she felt that Ben had invited her to this clandestine meeting. Ben was tall, handsome and all the girls fawned over him. That he’d paid her any mind at all still amazed her. The fact that he was in the popular group at school and was the most sought after male should have been reason enough to reject his suggestion. She wasn’t his type and it still surprised her that she’d agreed to this. That she hadn’t flat out said no still puzzled her.

She’d describe herself as dependable, organized and a complete perfectionist. Sensible should be her middle name. Her homework was waiting for her on her desk at home. That’s where she should be, cramming for the math test tomorrow.

She met Ben two months ago, at a pep rally for the football team, although she’d noticed him in the school halls before that. Her friend, Tierra, was a cheerleader and had dragged Riana to the rally. She’d felt Ben’s eyes on her soon after entering the room. Trying to ignore him had been difficult but she’d done quite a good job of it. After the last relationship she’d been in, she had no desire to start another one. Through the rally, she’d successfully avoided him and steered clear of him until she decided to stop for a drink at the punch table. That’s where he snuck up and stepped in beside her.

Riana hadn’t noticed at first, so intent was she at staying under his radar. He’d turned to her then, held out his hand and said, “Hi, my name’s Ben. What’s your name?”

She’d given him a sideways look and lost the ability to speak. Not that she couldn’t but having the jock of the school, the most handsome guy she knew, so close and interested shocked her into stupidity. That’s when Tierra, involved in a conversation to Riana’s left, noticed and stepped in to intervene.

“This, Ben, is Riana.” Tierra bumped Riana’s arm with hers and pushed her out of her stupor.

Riana smiled and nodded. “Yes, my name is Riana.”

Ben still held out his hand. Riana decided it wouldn’t hurt to shake it. Lifting her hand, Ben’s large, football-callused hand wrapped around hers, not too tight, just right. It felt warm, wonderful and he seemed reluctant to let hers go but eventually he did.

They talked of inconsequential things for a few minutes before he was called back to join his team. After that, Riana decided it was best that she leave the rally and so she did. Taking the chance of him asking her out seemed too great. She wasn’t ready for that. Tierra was upset but Riana was determined to leave early.

Since then, Ben had attempted to stop her in the halls of the school. Riana saw him heading her way numerous times. Having such a large school, with a ridiculous amount of students, filled the halls to overflowing during breaks between classes. It was like squirming through a mass mob trying to navigate to the next class. Avoiding Ben or pretending not to see him was easy enough. There was always a crowd between them. Their classes weren’t anywhere near each other and heading in the opposite direction from where she knew he’d be or veering away from his advance had worked wonderfully for a while.

Riana made sure to have all her personal items with her for her last class and, as soon as the final bell of the day rang, she scooted out of school quickly and was usually one of the first at the bus stop.  It had worked well until today.

Ben had taken note of her habits, that’s what he told her. He left class early today, just to catch her at the door. Riana demanded to know who told him where she exited. Tierra was the culprit. Ben’s class, at the far end of the school, hadn’t allowed him enough time after the last bell rang to make it to the door that Riana used to leave the building. Leaving class early today allowed him to catch her before she could make her escape. He insisted that they meet at the park in the middle of town by the water fountain at five.

She’d agreed but she didn’t know why. Every time she’d prayed about Ben, in the last two months, trying to get God’s opinion and direction, all she felt was a pervasive anxiety. There was a reason she’d avoided him. Her life was more tranquil without adding in the complications of a relationship, plus she couldn’t seem to get peace about Ben. Now, the closer she got to the park the more nervous she felt.

“God, help me know what to say,” she said into the howling wind.

The anxiety around her heart only grew heavier. She’d told no one where she was going or who she was meeting. That very fact made her edgy now. What did she really know about Ben? Nothing, except that he was popular, played football, was good looking and that all the girls were gaga over him.

“Okay, if you’re not going to tell me what to say then at least tell me if this is a bad idea,” she said in desperation, looking at the clouds above as though they’d answer her.

A Bible verse popped into her mind, one that her youth leader had emphasized last Friday night at youth group. It was about peace. She didn’t know it word for word but she did remember the gist of it. The youth leader had talked at length on the subject and the verse. The crux of what he said was to let the peace of God guard your heart, first to pray about stuff and then the peace of God would guide you in the right direction.

Well, she’d prayed but she felt no peace at all. Was this what their leader had meant? If she wasn’t feeling peace after praying about it then it wasn’t God’s best for her? Could it even mean that God was warning her? The leader had insinuated that too. He’d said that if there was no sense of peace, it was a clear sign of warning to head in a different direction.

Riana stopped mid-stride. The entrance to the park was just up ahead. Fear wrapped around her heart at the possible ramifications of her actions. Was her decision to meet Ben going against her better judgment?  If this was right, meeting him here, wouldn’t she feel some sense of well being and that God was for this?

As she processed all this, a thought formed. There were only a few reasons she was doing this. It was because of Ben’s status in the school. Allowing him to pursue her would put her in the limelight and her name would become known to everyone. The other reason was because she was getting lonely. Dating again would add some interest to her boring life even though her last experience had been awful. Was that reason enough to date someone?

“God, you’ve got to help me here!” The desperation she felt only added to her confusion. Peace still felt unattainable and absolutely absent.

Breathing deep and exhaling loudly, she finally stopped, turned around and headed back in the direction of home. The fear and dread that had ruled since she’d said yes to Ben just didn’t feel right to her. The further away she got form the park the more serene she started to feel. Breathing also seemed easier and her chest hurt less. She shook her head at the realization.

Why had she ever agreed to meet Ben in the first place? His persistence after school had gotten to her and she’d let down her guard. She felt sorry for him now. He’d be standing there waiting for her and she’d never show up. If she had his cell phone she’d text him and let him know she changed her mind but they hadn’t shared their numbers with each other. Ben would come to understand soon enough that she was a no-show.

After walking three blocks, increased tranquility returning with every step, she noticed someone up ahead that she recognized. It was a girl from school, someone in her grade, Ben’s previous girlfriend, Jillian. Everyone called her Jill.

Jill stood at a crosswalk, engrossed with something on her cell phone. Closing the gap between them, Riana continued walking. When she got close, Jill looked up and saw her.

“Hi.”

“Hi Jill. What are you doing here?”

“I’m heading to work. I start at five.”

“Oh. Where do you work?”

“At the coffee shop on the corner.” She pointed to it across the street.

“Cool.”

“Do you have a job?”

“Yeah. I only work Saturdays at the mall, retail.”

Jill nodded. “I never see you here.”

“No, I…” Riana pointed in the direction she’d come, “I was going to meet someone but changed my mind.”

“At the park?” asked Jill.

Riana just stared at her, wondering how she knew.

“I heard that Ben’s been in hot pursuit.” There was an indiscernible look in her eyes.

Riana suddenly felt awkward. “I’m sorry. I know you dated him.”

A scowl formed on Jill’s fair features. “He’s an absolute jerk! Stay away from him at all costs. Don’t let him get to you. Just because he’s a looker doesn’t mean he’s worth it.”

“Why?”

“He’s a bully and only has one thing on his mind! He’s no gentleman, that’s for sure!”

“Oh.” Riana didn’t know what else to say but she felt a flood of relief.

The street light changed and the walk sign appeared.

“Anyway, I’ve got to run.” With that Jill headed across the street.

Riana watched her cross and then turned and headed for home, grateful that she had someone to guide her and the wisdom to listen. Even though God didn’t scream instruction to her, His still small voice was enough and His peace had been a dependable adviser. To receive a confirmation so quickly was an added bonus.