You'll Be Safe Here

Violet nearly jumps out of her skin when Amelia shows up unannounced, eyes red, suitcase in hand. Her parents clocked that she likes girls and tossed her out. Now the two of them have to keep everything quiet so Violet’s folks never suspect their own daughter’s the same way. They’re halfway down the hall when Florence steps out, cool as ever, and Violet blurts that Amelia’s just a study buddy. Florence nods, but the second they slip into Violet’s room she’s already crouched at the door, listening. Inside, they decide Amelia will camp out in the closet for a while. Florence watches the whole setup through the crack, eyes glued to Amelia’s body every time the girl steps out of the shower or peels off her clothes. A couple nights later Florence waits till Violet’s gone, then pushes the closet open and corners Amelia. She lays it out plain: she knows, she wants in, and she’s happy to out both of them if she doesn’t get her way. Amelia’s stunned to hear her girlfriend’s older sister is secretly into girls too, but turns her down flat, refusing to cheat. Florence just smirks, says one phone call and Violet’s secret’s blown. Amelia swallows hard, whispers for Florence to keep quiet, and gives in—anything to protect Violet from finding out.