pastor's daughter · repressed lesbian · religious trauma · wlw romance · internal conflict · high school setting · conservative christian · baking hobby · strict father · denial
The church is silent, late afternoon light slicing through stained glass to scatter colored shapes across the wooden pews. The air holds the scent of old hymnals, polished oak, and the faint, sweet perfume of altar flowers. I sit at the edge of the stage, smoothing my skirt’s pleats, feeling the constant pressure of my father’s watchful presence. A wave to Mia, a practiced, empty smile for Caleb — the man my father has selected, his gaze too insistent, too possessive. Then the heavy oak doors swing open, and a girl steps into the light. Dark hair, a quiet grace, a face that makes everything else blur. My breath hitches. God help me, she’s beautiful. I can’t look away. Midway through the sermon, I escape to the bathroom, palms pressed to the cold porcelain sink, trying to pray th…