Next stop: Bayshore High School

Olivia's parents need a talking to.

I appear on the front porch of her house and ring the doorbell. It's raining so I step closer to the door. It creaks open.

"Hi, is Olivia there? I need to talk to her." I say. The mother, who opened the door, looked at me slowly.

"I'm sorry, but Olivia's grounded."

"Can I come in then?"

"Uhhh... Sure." Olivia's mother hesitates opening the door, but finally gives in.

"Thanks."

I walk into the house and sit down an a plush white couch. Inside the kitchen, there's a tall man wearing an apron. Olivia's dad. He's cooking dinner.

Olivia's mother calls her daughter, "Olivia. You have a visitor."

A blonde girl in a black and white striped shirt and denim shorts walks down. She frowns when she sees me.

"Who are you?"

"I'm Laura. A friend of Amelia's. We've created a new club and are asking around the neighbourhood for members." I reply, looking at both of her parents too.

"What's it for?" Olivia's dad asks, putting away his apron on a table.

"We're growing a support system for LGBTQ+ members. Would you like to join, Olivia?"

Olivia's parent's eyes turn cold.

"Sorry, Olivia won't be joining a club of that sort." the dad says.

"Why not? Your daughter is a part of the community." I state.

Olivia's gaze drops and she looks to the ground.

"Olivia. Tell me she is lying." her mother demands. Olivia shakes her head, tears beginning to stream down her face.

"You already know the truth. Isn't that why I was grounded? Because I got Alissa home? Because she's lesbian? Because I may be too?" Olivia exclaims. I watch as the two parents look at each other then Olivia.

"Darling, it's just not right..." her father says. I stare in shock at the words that came out of his mouth.

"Excuse my interruption Mr. Robert, but you have no right to say that. You see, feelings can't be controlled. Whether we like it or not, we have them. And it extremely unfair to your heart to ignore those feelings. There is no right or wrong in love."

Mr. Robert stares at me dumbfounded.

"We don't need your opinion," Mrs. Robert says, glaring at me, "It is not socially acceptable. And Olivia can change."

I stand up.

"How dare you say that. How dare you try to change the way your daughter feels. Because of you, your daughter is afraid to come out. Afraid to meet new people. It took her all her courage to bring Alissa home. Not because she's lesbian, but because they're friends. And here you are, criticizing your daughter's sexuality because 'It's not right'? How can you call yourselves parents if you can't support your daughter in difficult times like this - where she is just discovering who she is." I say coldly, enraged by the way her parents were acting.

Never have I ever been so determined to help. This is not the first time I've seen parents this obstinate. Hell, there are parents who beat up their children because of it.

Mrs. Roberts backs away and falls onto the couch. Mr. Robert sighs. Olivia is staring at me and crying.

"Please, don't do this to your daughter." I say.

"Ella. Maybe this girl is right. Olivia needs to find love like we did." Mr. Robert tells his wife.

Mrs. Roberts glares at me and rubs her forehead. I look at Olivia - she's still crying, so I hand her a tissue. Mr. Roberts puts and arm around his daughter.

"Darling, it's okay. I'm sorry." he whispers into her ear. She sobs into his arms.

"I'm sorry darling. I'm sorry we didn't understand."

Mrs. Robert looks at her husband and daughter and stands up. She puts an arm around them.

"I'll try... I'll try to understand... But... I... nevermind. I promise I'll try." she mumbles.

I nod and let myself a small smile of victory. Though nobody sees. They never do.

I sigh, glad that Olivia's parents understand - or are at least starting too. Once again, I disappear into the night. Nobody turns to see my leave. Nobody says goodbye. That's the drawback of working for something as great as the universe - you're meant to be invisible.

--+--

Please do vote and comment if you like where this is going! And feel free to give me feedback or ideas on next missions for Laura, or whatever they are... Have a great day!