Free Sample
Preview from chapter one
"Bea, you can't go out dressed like that," her mother said, eyeing her up and down with a frown.
Beatrice looked at her reflection in the mirror, adjusting her glasses and smoothing out her skirt. She'd picked out the outfit with care, hoping to feel confident in her own skin. The skirt was a little shorter than what her mother usually approved of, but it was modest by most standards.
"Why not?" she replied, her voice quivering slightly.
Her mother stepped closer, placing a firm hand on her shoulder. "You know how people talk, Beatrice. And the devil lurks in places like that. You should be more careful with how you present yourself."
"But Mom," Bea protested, "I'm 21. I can make my own decisions." She pulled away, her eyes flashing with a determination she hadn't felt before. "I'm not going to let anyone's judgment hold me back anymore."
Her mother's grip tightened, her knuckles white. "Beatrice, you know the rules of this house. We are a God-fearing family."
Bea took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the words like a stone in her stomach. She'd been fighting this battle for years, but tonight was different. She had an escape, an invitation to a place where the whispers and stares of her town would be drowned out by the hum of the television and the chatter of friends. "It's just a movie night, Mom," she said calmly. "With Philip and his friends."
Her mother's eyes searched hers, looking for any signs of deceit. "Fine," she relented, her voice tight. "But remember who you are, and what's expected of you. Don't come home with any regrets."
With a curt nod, Bea grabbed her phone and left the house, the cool night air a stark contrast to the oppressive atmosphere inside. The walk to Philip's house was short, but it felt like a journey to a foreign land. Her heart raced with a mix of excitement and trepidation. What was she getting herself into?
The lights in Philip's house flickered through the windows, casting shadows that danced along the sidewalk. She knocked, her palm damp against the wood. The door swung open, and there he was, smiling wide. "Bea, you made it!" His eyes lingered on her outfit, and she felt a flutter of pleasure at his approval. "Come in, everyone's in the basement."
The stairs creaked under her feet, the sound echoing in the quiet house. Downstairs, the air was thick with anticipation and the faint scent of pizza. The basement was dimly lit, with a flickering TV and a couch that looked like it had seen better days. On it sat two figures, two of which she didn't recognize. They were older, probably college students, with a mysterious allure she hadn't encountered before.