“Okay. What’s going on?” Sophia asked as Jackson closed his locker.
“What do you mean?” asked Jackson.
“First off, you’ve been acting weird the past few months, and since Monday Noah has been giving you dirty looks anytime he sees you.
“What do you mean ‘acting weird’?” asked Jackson.
“We’ve all noticed it. You don’t laugh at or make the same jokes anymore, you don’t talk about moral relativism, and don’t think I haven’t noticed that you sneak out of the house at weird times of night.
Jackson sighed.
“Do you really want to know what’s happening?” Jackson asked.
“Yes.”
“Can I trust you to keep a secret?”
Sophia suddenly looked worried and serious.
“Yes….”
“I became a Christian,” Jackson said.
Sophia stared blankly at Jackson for a moment, and Jackson felt the need to break the silence.
“Noah is mad at me because I shared the Gospel with him at his birthday.”
“I see,” she said without any perceivable emotion.
“Are you mad?”
“I actually have a lot of respect for Christians from comparing my parents with other people’s parents, but I wish you had told me sooner.”
“Your dad didn’t want me to tell you, but he gave me permission recently.”
“Makes sense. Look, I love my parents, and you’re one of my best friends, so I won’t report you, but please don’t try to change me. Christianity just isn’t for me.”
“I understand,” Jackson said.
Without another word, Sophia left for her next class. Jackson had a free period. He normally used this period to work on homework, but he had a feeling he needed to see Mr. Evans. He decided it was about time to find out what Mr. Evans’ “research” was.
Jackson entered Mr. Evans’ classroom.
“Hello, Mr. Harris,” said a slightly exasperated Mr. Evans without looking up from his work.
“Mr. Evans, what did you mean when you said you were at the church for research purposes? Why don’t you spread the Gospel? Why do you blatantly teach against Christianity in class?”
“I have been very careful to never give my actual opinion about philosophical topics, Jackson; merely what others believe.”
Looking back, Jackson realized it was true. Mr. Evans didn’t give opinions; he usually just presented the facts.
“What about my other questions?” asked Jackson.
“If you are asking about my research, I’m afraid I can’t tell you more. As far as spreading the Gospel, you seem to be forgetting the wise words of wisdom you heard at your conversion. We must be very careful who we spread the Gospel to.”
Jackson was determined to get an answer about the research.
“Are you just pretending to be a Christian for your ‘research’? Are you a spy who is going to report us?”
“If I was going to report the church, don’t you think I would have done it already?”
“Maybe. But why are you here?”
Mr. Evans sighed and finally looked up from his work.
“If I tell you the truth, will you leave me alone?”
“Yes.”
“You have heard, I assume, of the legends that I am a retired university professor. There is some truth to these stories. I am indeed a university professor. I am not, however, retired. I am performing first-hand research into the ways of Christianity from a philosophical, psychological, and historical perspective.”
Jackson couldn’t believe his ears. Mr. Evans was an undercover researcher who had been faking Christianity! Suddenly, Jackson was struck with a thought.
“So, what’s to prevent you from ratting out the church when you’ve finished researching?”
“I thought you said you would leave me alone if I told you the truth, but if you must know, I have no intentions of ‘ratting out’ the church. My reasons are my own, and I will not answer any more of your questions. Goodbye Mr. Harris.”
Jackson left the room feeling shell-shocked. In the span of a week, he had lost his best friend, possibly lost his other best friend, and found out that Mr. Evans was no normal high school teacher. Jackson suddenly felt a longing for his old life. He missed the ignorance he had when his parents were still alive.
At the thought of his parents, Jackson felt tears coming to his eyes. He went to his car where he wept by himself. He then cried out to God in prayer, asking for help in his time of distress. He felt overwhelmed, and he needed peace.
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