Thank You all who have read my first story. It really means alot to me. Everything that you have said, really makes me feel very acclompished in my work, which is why I tried extra hard on this piece today. This story is very meaningful to me, and might make a good impression you. The story is about a girl named Cassie Bernall. She is well known for her test of faith in front of the shooters of Columbine High School. She was asked if she beleived in God, and she said yes. I wrote my own version of how it might have happened, I hope you enjoy.

Her mother was calling her from the kitchen, “Cassie, it’s time to go to church, Cassie let’s go, we’re going to be late”. “I’m coming mom”.

Cassie, threw her hair brush down, and headed for her bedroom door. “Oh, snap, I nearly forgot”.

 It was so unlike her to forget It, she nearly never let it leave her side. Her bible had once been her grand mothers, and it meant even more to her that it had been given before she died. Her grandmother had always been there for her, and losing her was difficult, especially at a young age. She took if very hard. Just having the bible felt like she could still talk to her, talking about Jesus like they always did. How special those times meant to Cassie, and how much did she look forward to seeing her Grandmother in heaven with Jesus, singing, carrying on just like the good-times they’d had.

“What is it like to die Nana”, she once asked. “Does it hurt”?

Cassie was kneeling beside the bed as the elderly woman placed her soft hand onto hers, smiling, watching Cassie, starting to verge tears.

“My Dear, there is nothing to be afraid of, everyone dies eventually, after all, it’s not really dying compared to an eternity with Jesus”.

She smiled once more, Cassie started to cry,

“But I don’t want you to leave, it’s so unfair”. “I still need you”.

“Now, now”, said Nana. “You know I’ll never leave you baby”. “Here“, as she started to roll over reaching for her night-stand. “You can have this”.

“But Nana“ said Cassie, “This is your bible”.

“I know baby, but I won’t you to have it now”. “You’ll always have a part of me now”. “I hope that you always remember me by it”, “And know my dear, we’ll be together again, so it’s not really goodbye”. “I will always love you, and if you need me, you can find me with Jesus”.

Nana died a week later. Cassie sang her Nana’s favorite hymn, “Amazing Grace”. “How sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me”, she sang beautifully. Nana and Jesus smiled down upon her, and Cassie smiled back.

“Sorry mom, I almost forgot my bible”. Her mother looked as if she was going to drop an egg as she was nearly shocked to hear the words Cassie had spoken. “ Don’t stress it dear”, her mother said softly to Cassie as they both were getting in the car.

Cassie was dropped off at the youth center as some of her friends met her, greeting her as she waved her mother goodbye, and blew her a kiss. “Love ya Mom”, shouted Cassie while the group of giggling girls were marching forward into the high school youth center. They all followed Cassie to the front row of chairs, and sat along beside her, all placing their bibles in the laps, mimicking Cassie. Everyone loved Cassie, and she was always a true and loyal friend to all. She had her mother’s beauty, her grandmother’s spirit, and a heart for Jesus.

“Please turn into your bibles to John 15:20”, the young and ecstatic man standing in front of the chattering group of teens. “Please, if you would read along”

As Cassie placed her fingers on the red text, signifying the words of Jesus, the group read aloud in unison, “

Remember the word that I said to you. A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours“,

"And if you would also turn to Mathew 5:12."

Cassie turned the pages of the her Nana’s bible and continued to read the red text along in the unison of her peers.

“Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you, you will also be persecuted”.

“There may come a time” said the young teacher, “when your faith may be put to the test”. “You must be strong for you faith, because remember boys, and girls“. “Your treasures will be in heaven, and how great it will be to be in front of All-Mighty God, and to hear him say, “Well done, my Good, and Faithful Servant“.

Cassie nodded in agreement, and after the sermon, the youth pastor opened the alter, and Cassie walked up, followed by the rest of her peers.

Cassie prayed” Thank you Jesus for everything”, “You are so worthy of my praise”, how beautiful it will be to be in your presence”, “And to hear you say, “Well Done”.

The praise team then after directed the group of teenagers into Amazing Grace. Cassie singing along started to draw tears. Not out of sorrow, but tears of joy, remembering her wonderful Grandmother. Cassie knew her Nana was there with her then, holding each other just like they used to. Singing together, the song Nana always loved to sing, and how much she loved to sing about the Amazing Grace of Jesus.

“Thank you Jesus”, “Thank You, for saving me”.

Cassie got up early for school the next day, got ready, grabbed her bible, and put it safely into her bag, and got on her knees, once again praying, and thanking God for another day.

Her mother dropped her off at the entrance, once again greeted by her giggling group of girl friends, waving off her mother, and wishing her a good day, and a kiss on the cheek. The girls entered the large cafeteria, sitting in the usual spot, next to the far hall way near their first class. Each pulled out their bibles and had their morning bible study. It was another ordinary day, everyone in their ordinary spots, scattered across the room. Kids cracking up about their previous day, some laughing, some deep in school work, rushing to be complete, but out of the corner of Cassie’s eye, she say a group of kids running down the hall.

“Pow”, Pow”, Gun fire. “Oh, no”, said a girl beside Cassie”. “Pow”, Pow”, “Pow”, followed by screams. “We have to go NOW”, said Cassie. The cafeteria was crowded, and everyone was full of panic, and fear. “Pow”, “Pow”. The fire was getting closer, and screams were starting to become deafening. Cassie stopped “No”, looked back and saw her bible left sitting back on her table.

 “Go on without me”, demanded Cassie, “I’ll catch up to you later”.

Running like the wind she jumped over several chairs, hoped over a table, landed on her feet gracefully in front of the table she and the others occupied earlier. She grabbed her bible, and placed it underneath her arms. She started to run back towards the building exit, but was caught off guard.

“Hey you, stop, or I’ll shoot”. Cassie froze, and out the corner of her eyes, saw Dylan and Eric.

“Yeah you, Cassie right”? “Yes”, said Cassie, feet still frozen in place with a pair of guns at her back.

“What’s that you have there Cassie"? Is that a bible”? She didn't answer. The boys look to back to each other with monster like expressions.

“Ah Cassie”, mocked Eric. “Are you afraid to die”? Both boys started laugh, making fun. “Where is your precious Jesus now”? Is he going to save you”?

 "Answer me", demanded Dylan, as he threw his hand across her face, and Cassie flinched in pain.

Cassie did not get angry, did not cry, but slowly moved her head to the left, and turned her other cheek to the boys, obeying the bible she held in her hands.  The words spoken in red letters, that asked not to act out of aggression, but show courage, in you faith, stand strong.

“What”? The boys were dumb-founded. “Are you not going to try and defend yourself”? Dylan’s face got tence again, paced in a circle for a moment, walked back to the face of Cassie, and continued.

“Now Cassie”, softly spoken by Dylan. “I’m impressed by your courage”,

“Therefore”, “I’m going to give you choice”.

“I’m going to ask you a question”,

“I’m going to ask you if you believe In Jesus”,

“Now if you say no”, “I’ll spare your life”, “But if you say yes”,

Cassie looked into his eyes, and she knew that he was serious, still Cassie was strong, showed no fear, griping her bible into her hands, holding onto what she treasured most in this world, knowing that she will in someway still have it with her, in the end.

“If you say yes”, “Then you will pay”.

Cassie said nothing. Dylan and Eric continued to stare her down, with their guns held tight against their chest pointed at Cassie.

“So Cassie”, said Dylan,  this time his face was stern, and showed no sign of  cracking a smile, both boys eyes never leaving hers.

“Do…You….Believe…In…Jesus”?

“YES”