That knock on the door on New Year's Day was rather suspicious, as we were expecting no one to visit today. And the way the person knocked was scary too, as if they were threatening us. I felt scared for all of our safety at that moment– what if it was Lucia's abusive ex coming to stalk her? What if it was one of Scarlett's parents tracking her location over this whole break and arriving just to take her back and berate her for her eating disorder in some way? What if it was Harper's most recent and last foster family coming over? What if it was my parents?
          Lucia's mom got the door, and all of my possible answers were wrong. It was my former pastor. I hid behind the others inside from him, knowing exactly what he was here to do to me. "Who are you? What are you doing here?" Lucia's mom asked.
          "I need to speak with someone named Ethan Bester. I have a bone to pick with him... for leaving my church. His parents requested that I find him, wherever he is over this holiday break, so I can talk him into coming back," said the pastor.
          "Who the hell is Ethan!? I don't know any Ethan at all," said Lucia's dad from the kitchen.
          This, obviously, pissed off the pastor. Not just because Lucia's dad said the word "hell," but also because he knows we're all lying.
          "Oh right," sighed the pastor, "I mean," he put up air quotes with his fingers, "Cam."
          Then I finally revealed myself, much to the simultaneous disappointment and approval of him. "How did you find me here?" I asked.
          "Just a little something I like to call Life360."
          "How did you get into my parents' circle? With me in it? I thought I left the circle."
          "They added you back."
          "Well..." I hesitated with no idea what to say to that, "what is your reason to speak with me today? Can you just let me chill and have fun with my friends on New Year's Day?"
          "You can't just chill and have fun with your friends while you're committing sin." Aaand there it was. "And your friends here are committing sin too for condoning yours."

Then all of a sudden a four-against-one screaming match occurred. Lucia, Scarlett, and Harper were on my side arguing against the pastor, while the pastor tried to "spread the gospel," threaten to throw a Bible at my head, and "pray the gay away." I'm not even gay; I'm bi and non-binary.
          "Guys," Lucia's dad stepped in, "just give up the fight. It's not worth arguing with a pastor that way."
          Lucia's mom then stepped in, only wanting to end the screaming match and not protect any of us from the dangerous pastor. "Break up the fight guys. It isn't worth it. I don't know what else to do."
          Lucia turned to her parents and said, "Guys... this pastor is dangerous. If we just stay quiet, this man will do something dangerous to Cam, to any of us!"
          "Did you guys know he was coming?" asked her mom.
          "No," I answered.
          "Well either way I wouldn't be fighting like that with a church pastor."
          "But aren't you guys gonna... you know, help?" Lucia asked her mom.
          "If I knew how, I would. You guys arguing with him doesn't help."
          The pastor continued calling me and my friends slurs while we all defended each other and Lucia's parents did nothing to stop it.

After a while, the pastor just gave up and left. "Thank Satan he's gone," I said. Then I looked at Lucia in distress that her parents wouldn't help. "But Lucia... I thought your parents would be better than that. You told us they were great."
          "Yeah," Scarlett agreed. "Did you know they were like this, like not stepping in when things like this go down?"
          Harper was just tired. "I just wish they would have done something. Did you know, Lucia?"
          Lucia looked devastated, but still kept her composure. She shook her head. "Let me go have a talk with them about this. I am so sorry, guys." She then walked over to the kitchen and led her parents to her room. After a few minutes, during which the rest of us processed what just happened, she came back out with her parents still talking and making amends. "You guys could have at least tried to do something. I love you guys and know you can be better, but my friends here are like siblings. If you can help me through reporting my ex to the police and filing a restraining order against him, you can also help keep my friends safe."
          I noticed her parents thinking for a minute after she said that, looking like they felt remorse. "You know what?" asked her mom. "You're right, Luc. You're being a really good friend right now, and I'm sorry we didn't jump in when you guys needed us." She then turned to me, "Cam, I am so sorry that just had to happen. And for everything you must have had to go through with the pastor, you deserve much more. Which means I should have done more."
          I smiled at her. "Thank you so much. I accept your apology."
          "People can take accountability and learn from their mistakes?" asked Harper with a laugh. "Gee, I've never heard of that."
          This made everyone else laugh. "That's right, Harp," said Lucia's dad. "I sure did learn from my mistake. I think more people need to do that too."

And with that, the fight among us was over before it started. We went about our day as normal, spending some time together and some time alone. After the uncalled-for visit from the pastor, I needed some alone time to unwind. So I just started another painting.

By the end of break, I was sad to leave Lucia's place and go back to college. Staying there with her, Scarlett, and Harper was so much fun. For the time being while I am still supposed to live with my "parents," I'm going to do everything I can to avoid going "home" until after they're asleep.