Short story from a larger plot

      The sun was hot, burning down on Lexia's shoulders and making the top of the sand uncomfortable to her feet. Yet the ocean waves looked so beautiful, sparkling in the distance, she didn't want to move. Watching the water took her mind off everything that was happening in her life. It was a nice distraction. 

     How could things go so wrong right when it was getting better. The situation between her and Nate was much calmer. And his twin Nick had backed off when it came to bothering Lexia. But now Ruth was hurt and upset. It was almost certain that Max and Omar wouldn't be happy about her decision to make peace with a KurtHurst twin either.

     And in her frantic attempt to keep her old friends, she had hurt the friend she had just made. Nate hadn't come around for two days. Lexia was sure he was rethinking being her friend. Bradley and Donald had suggested she go find him and apologize. They even offered to come with her. But Lexia was too proud to apologize to a former bully. 

     So she sat in the sun, wallowing in her aloneness. Never had she felt so low in her life. Except the many other times she messed up. 

     When she felt a tap on her back, Lexia kept her face forward and mumbled, "Go away!" She thought it was one of her siblings and was annoyed that they would bother her at this time.

     "No," came a firm reply. Lexia turned and was shocked to see Nate looking down at her. "You're staring at the waves as if your house just burned down and you have no hope left", he said. 

     Lexia rolled her eyes. "Well, yeah," she replied bitterly. "I did just lose my friends!"

     "Yeah," Nate whispered, nodding his head. "I know, and I'm sorry." He sat in the sand next to Lexia. "It's kind of my fault that they're mad at you. If I hadn't been so mean to you guys, they'd probably have no problem with you talking to me.

     Lexia was very surprised by Nate's apology. She didn't know the new him too well, and as far as she remembered, the old Nate had never been one to say sorry willingly. Lexia couldn't even recall hearing him apologize to his own brother without being forced. But here he was, admitting to having messed up and actually feeling bad about it.

Here is a favorite verse that I plan to use repeatedly throughout the real version of this story:

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. 

Roman's 12:21

Thanks for reading and hanging out!