"Shoot it!"
Aura's voice rang out as the soccer ball slammed into the back of the net. She grinned proudly, spinning on her heel to glance at her school friend, Whitney, who had come over to the Baldwin estate for an afternoon of soccer practice. With dinner underway inside, the two girls had taken advantage of the fading light to practice penalty shots in the expansive backyard.
Whitney gave her a playful look before jogging to retrieve the ball from the net. Aura laughed, resting her hands on her hips and breathing in the crisp December air. The faint scent of Maria's cooking wafted through the open kitchen window.
"That was a good one!" Whitney called.
Aura shrugged, smirking. "Yeah, yeah. I almost lost my footing."
"I'm gonna try hit the crossbar." she added, already backing up. "Watch this."
Whitney arched a brow as Aura adjusted her rolled-up soccer shorts, then sprinted forward and struck the ball with her right foot. Both girls watched in anticipation as the ball arched high and pinged against the crossbar with a sharp clang.
"Wow!" Whitney's jaw dropped. "Okay, I don't even think I could hit that if I tried."
Aura jogged over, picked up the ball with a proud smile, and dropped it again near her feet. But before they could resume, the back door swung open and Maria, the Baldwin family's longtime housekeeper and au pair, stepped out with a gentle smile.
"Aura, Miss Camille is here.." she announced. "And she's brought a friend."
"Thanks, Maria!" Aura replied.
Whitney took a seat on the patio, admiring the warm glow of the fairy lights strung along the railing. The Baldwin estate, already in the early stages of its Christmas transformation, looked like something out of a glossy magazine — elegant, yet homey.
The door opened again, and Camille stepped outside wearing her yellow cheerleading uniform. Her glossy ponytail bounced as she walked over to greet Aura with a light hug.
Trailing behind her was a girl Aura immediately recognized. She wore her school uniform: skirt neatly pressed, cardigan buttoned, and her blazer folded over one arm. Josie. They had met at Camille's birthday party weeks ago.
"Hey, Aura!" Camille said brightly. "You remember Josie, right? From my birthday party?"
Aura's eyes met Josie's. The two stared for a moment before Aura nodded slowly, raising an eyebrow in surprise. Josie smiled awkwardly, her hands deep in her cardigan pockets.
"I do." Aura replied. "We met briefly.. Thanks again for helping us take Jackson home.."
Josie nodded in return, shifting uncomfortably as she cast a glance toward Whitney, who remained quiet but observant.
"I came to see if Harper's okay?" Camille said, chewing her lip. "I've been texting her, but she hasn't replied in days..."
Aura nodded again, eyes still on Josie. She could tell it was Josie who wanted to check on Harper — Camille was just the cover.
"She had another fight with Harriet." Aura explained. "It got pretty bad so she's staying with our Aunt Julia for now, until things calm down. I'll let her know you stopped by."
"Thanks, Aura. Oh! Also—I think I left my dress here a few weeks ago? Mind if I grab it from Harper's closet real quick?"
"Go ahead."
Camille gave her a grateful smile before heading back inside and up the stairs, her footsteps echoing lightly through the house. Aura and Josie were left alone on the patio, standing a few feet apart. Aura gave Whitney a look, and Whitney — sensing the shift — stood, grabbed her coat, and gave Aura a quick wave.
"I'll text you later." Whitney offered.
"Thanks for coming," Aura said.
As the door shut behind Whitney, silence settled over the two girls. The winter air was sharp, their breath visible in the chill. Josie rubbed her hands together, glancing sideways at Aura.
"Is she okay?" she asked softly. "Harper? She hasn't answered any of my texts. I'm just... worried.."
"She's hurting." Aura admitted. "She and Harriet never really got along, but this time? It was different. It was the final straw. She packed a bag and left that same night."
Josie nodded slowly. Her gaze dropped to the frost-kissed patio stones. Then, almost cautiously, she said, "I found a letter a while back... it fell from Harper's locker. I didn't get to ask her about it, but... I assumed it was from a boy."
Aura's cheeks tinged pink, but she held Josie's gaze.
"Yeah... it was from me" Josie said with a breathy laugh. "Kinda lame, I know. But I really like her."
Aura smiled — genuinely, this time. "I think she likes you too. I haven't talked to her directly about it, but.. The photo booth picture said enough. Not exactly the best way for the family to find out, but still."
Josie chuckled, lowering her head with a bashful grin.
"Does Camille know?" Aura asked, curious. "That you like Harper?"
"Nope." Josie said. "Camille's... kind of oblivious. I think it's best she stays that way — at least until Harper's ready to come out."
Aura nodded, understanding. Josie and Camille had been close friends since preschool, practically attached at the hip. Camille knew Josie was a lesbian and had tried setting her up with girls before — sweet intentions, but terrible matchmaking skills.
Just then, Camille reappeared at the back door with her gym bag slung over one shoulder, her dress shoved into it.
"You ready, Jose?" she chirped. "Thanks again, Aura! Tell Harper I was asking. That girl has such a habit of going off the radar.."
"Will do!" Aura replied, giving Josie a quick, cheeky smile as the pair disappeared through the door.
The moment the door shut, Aura bent to pick up the soccer ball, then headed back inside, locking the patio door behind her. She made her way toward the dining room where the family was beginning to gather for dinner
The warmth of Aunt Julia's apartment hit her like a wave. The soft lamplight, the scent of cinnamon and old books — it felt like stepping into another life, one that didn't demand masks or silence. But that didn't stop the shame from sinking deep in her bones.
Harper sank down, curling into herself. Her skin still burned from the memory — Harriet's voice, sharp and angry during their fight. "Why don't you just admit it? You're a lesbian, Harper. That's why you're always running."
The words echoed, louder than the rain that begun tapping the windows.
Julia returned with an oversized sweatshirt and a pair of leggings. Harper changed quickly, folding her wet clothes into a neat pile as if tidiness might keep her from falling apart.
She sat back down, pulling the sweatshirt sleeves over her hands.
"I wasn't ready." Harper said quietly. "and she still said it. In front of everyone."
Julia sat beside her, not too close, just enough. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. That should've been yours to share. On your terms."
Harper laughed — hollow and cold. "It's not even about being gay. It's about being outed by your own sister because she's mad at you. Like I'm something to expose."
Julia's face tightened with anger, but she kept her voice calm. "You're not something to expose. You're someone to protect."
"I don't want to go home.." Harper whispered. "Not now. Not when everyone knows. I can't face my mom. Or my dad. Or Grandma — God, especially not Grandma Cece."
"You don't have to." Julia said. "You can stay here as long as you need. You know you're always welcome here."
Harper's lip quivered, and she pressed the sleeves to her mouth to hide it. "I just feel dirty. Like she stripped something from me."
Julia reached out and gently tucked a strand of damp hair behind Harper's ear. "She didn't. You're still you. Still good. Still strong. Shame only sticks if you let it. You didn't do anything wrong, Harper. But she did. Harriet probably knows that.."
Harper looked at her aunt — really looked at her. And for the first time that night, the twisting knot of shame in her chest loosened just slightly. Julia's eyes weren't pitying. They were fierce. Steady. Loving.
Julia smiled, brushing her thumb over Harper's knuckles. "I know exactly what it's like to be outed before you're ready."
Harper didn't say anything else. She didn't need to. She leaned into Julia, slowly, carefully — and Julia let her. No lectures. No questions. Just warmth. Just safety.
For the first time since Harriet's words, Harper felt like she could finally breathe.