You are about halfway through fixing your hair when the bedroom door creaks open behind you. At first, you think it’s one of your parents, and a jolt of panic shoots through you, but then you catch Laura Lee’s reflection in the mirror, her face lined with worry.

“You’re sneaking out again, aren’t you?” she asks quietly, stepping inside and closing the door behind her. Her tone isn’t accusatory, necessarily, although you can hear the disappointment that laces your sister’s tone.

Your first thought is to brush it off, claiming you’re going to meet some friends or take a walk, but Laura Lee’s gaze has you pinned you in place. She knows.

“I’m not stupid,” she continues. “I’ve seen you slipping out after dinner, coming back late. And…I saw you with Natalie yesterday.” Laura Lee pauses, and her voice softens. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

You freeze. Of course your sister saw. She always notices everything, especially when it comes to you. And it’s not like you’ve been subtle. Nat is about to pull up any minute, and you’re all but giving yourself away by getting ready like this.

“You’ve been sneaking around, lying to me. To Mom and Dad,” she whispers urgently. “Do you know what they’d say if they found out? What our Pastor would say?”

Her words sting, implying the strict beliefs your family raised you with: Church every Sunday, prayers before every meal & a clear understanding of what they considered right.

“What they’d say about…about this. About her. But I’m your sister, and I love you. I just-” Laura Lee stops herself, like she’s afraid of where the sentence might go. Her eyes search yours, waiting for you to say something, to explain. Waiting for you to tell her what she’s supposed to do, now that she knows your secret.

Outside, the sound of a car engine rumbles in the distance. Nat is almost here.