Meeting the Monsters

Amanda paced back and forth in the bedroom, her fingers anxiously twisting the hem of her shirt. Her heart pounded like a drum in her chest, and she couldn't shake the heavy pit forming in her stomach.

"I can't do this," she muttered under her breath, running a shaky hand through her golden-red hair. "I can't face them."

Kayla, sitting cross-legged on the bed in her soft pajama shorts, watched her with concern. She wasn't used to seeing Amanda like this—so rattled, so vulnerable. Taking a deep breath, Kayla stood and crossed the room, gently grabbing Amanda's hands.

"Hey," Kayla said softly, squeezing her fingers. "You're not alone. I'll be right there with you."

Amanda looked up, her eyes glassy with nerves. Kayla gave her a reassuring smile, her usual playfulness softened into something more serious.

"You don't have to be perfect for them, Mandy," Kayla continued, rubbing slow circles on the back of Amanda's hand. "You just have to be you. And if they don't like that, screw them."

Amanda let out a shaky laugh. "Easier said than done."

Kayla grinned. "Yeah, but that's why you have me—to say all the things you won't."

Amanda exhaled a little easier, finally sitting down beside Kayla. "You're really not scared?"

Kayla bit her lip. "Oh, I'm terrified."

Amanda gave her a sideways look.

Kayla chuckled. "I mean, these are the people who raised you. And from what you've told me... they sound awful." She hesitated before adding, "But if they say anything horrible, I'll stand up for you. I promise."

Amanda's heart clenched at that. She was supposed to be the strong one, the protector—but Kayla was stepping up, ready to fight for her.

"Okay," Amanda whispered. "Let's get ready."

Kayla beamed and hopped off the bed. "Hair first?"

Amanda nodded. "Yeah, let's do each other's."

Kayla sat in front of Amanda on the floor, handing her a brush. Amanda ran the bristles through Kayla's sleek black hair, carefully parting it before pulling it into two cute pigtails, securing them with pink ribbons.

Kayla giggled. "Adorable?"

Amanda smirked. "Always."

Then they switched, and Kayla carefully gathered Amanda's thick, golden-red locks, pulling them into a neat ponytail.

"See? We make a good team," Kayla said as she finished.

Amanda rolled her eyes but smiled. "Yeah, yeah."

Next came dressing. Amanda helped Kayla step into her snug, pastel onesie, making sure the fabric stretched smoothly over her body before kneeling to do up the snaps at the crotch. Her fingers worked the buttons one by one, ensuring the onesie completely covered Kayla's thick diaper.

Amanda smirked as she patted the padded bulk between Kayla's thighs, the familiar crinkle filling the air.

Kayla pouted. "Think they won't notice?"

Amanda shook her head, grabbing a soft, floral dress from the bed. "Nope. They won't with this over the top."

She slipped the dress over Kayla's head, smoothing it down so it flared at the waist, effectively hiding any hint of the padding underneath.

Kayla twirled. "Think I look innocent enough?"

Amanda smirked. "You look like an angel."

Kayla batted her eyelashes dramatically. "I am an angel."

Amanda snorted. "Debatable."

Finally, Amanda changed into a simple blouse and jeans, taking one last deep breath.

Kayla grabbed her hand. "Together?"

Amanda squeezed back. "Together."

As Amanda drove, her fingers gripped the steering wheel a little too tightly. Her eyes flicked between the road and the dashboard, and every so often, she let out a shaky breath.

Kayla, sitting in the passenger seat, could feel the tension radiating off her. She reached over and gently placed her hand on Amanda's knee.

"Babe, it's gonna be okay," Kayla said, her voice soft but firm. "I'm here to support you every step of the way."

Amanda let out a nervous laugh. "Oh god... I hope it goes well."

Kayla smiled, squeezing her leg reassuringly. "It will. And if it doesn't, we can just turn around and go home, okay?"

Amanda nodded, but the pit in her stomach remained. As they pulled into her parents' driveway, she tightened her grip on the steering wheel, her knuckles turning white.

She sighed heavily. "It's been a hot minute since I've been back here."

Kayla giggled. "Well, I have had you at mine for a while now. Hehe, I'm so lucky you've moved in with me."

Amanda forced a small smile, shifting in her seat. "Yeah..." She hesitated, swallowing hard.

Kayla frowned, picking up on her hesitation. "Are you... regretting it?"

Amanda's eyes widened, and she turned to Kayla quickly. "No! Of course not, sweetie." She reached for Kayla's hand, squeezing it. "It's just... hard, you know?"

Kayla studied Amanda's face for a moment, then nodded. "Yeah. I know."

Amanda sighed and grabbed her bag from the backseat. "Alright... let's do this."

Kayla unbuckled her seatbelt and turned to Amanda, her dark eyes searching her girlfriend's face. "You ready to do this, babe?"

Amanda smirked, her nerves settling just a little at Kayla's confidence. "Absolutely, princess." She shyly smiled at Kayla, a soft warmth flickering behind her eyes.

Kayla grinned and leaned over the center console, cupping Amanda's cheek before planting a gentle kiss on her lips. The moment was brief, but it was enough—enough to ground Amanda, enough to remind her she wasn't alone in this.

The girls popped open their doors and stepped out of the car. Kayla quickly joined Amanda's side as they walked toward the house. Kayla took in the front yard, her eyes scanning the carefully trimmed hedges, the neatly arranged flower beds, the pristine lawn that looked like it had been cut with a ruler. Everything was neat—almost too neat.

Amanda hesitated for only a second before stepping onto the welcome mat. She took a deep breath, her fingers hovering over the doorbell before pressing it.

A chime echoed from inside, and Amanda's stomach twisted as they waited.

Kayla tightened her grip on Amanda's hand, lacing their fingers together. No matter what happened next, she wasn't letting go.

The girls stood in silence, the only sound the faint rustling of leaves in the yard. Amanda shifted her weight from one foot to the other, her eyes flickering to the front window. She squinted, trying to make out any movement inside.

"Hmmm..." Amanda sighed, rubbing her free hand against her jeans.

Kayla glanced at her, brows furrowing. "Did you confirm with them?"

Amanda let out a breathy laugh, though it held no humor. "Yes, they know we were coming today." She hesitated, staring at the door for a moment before lifting her hand again.

She pressed the doorbell a second time, the chime ringing through the house.

Still, nothing.

Amanda's pulse quickened. Were they ignoring her? Did they change their minds?

Kayla squeezed her hand reassuringly. "Maybe they didn't hear it the first time?"

Amanda swallowed hard. "Yeah... maybe." But she wasn't sure she believed that.

All of a sudden the door swung open, and Amanda's breath hitched in relief as she saw her mother standing there. Her mom's face softened, and before either of them could say a word, Amanda stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her.

"Hi, Mom," Amanda murmured into her shoulder, inhaling the familiar scent of lavender and fabric softener.

Her mother held her close for a moment before pulling back, her gaze shifting past Amanda to the girl standing beside her. Kayla stood nervously, offering a small, polite smile.

"Mom, this is Kayla," Amanda introduced, squeezing Kayla's hand in reassurance.

Her mother paused, looking Kayla up and down with an intense gaze, studying every detail—from her dark hair to the way she carried herself. Kayla swallowed hard and cleared her throat.

"How do you do?" Kayla said shyly, trying her best to sound polite.

Amanda's mom blinked, her expression unreadable. "Fine, thanks." Her voice was clipped, her tone lacking warmth.

Amanda felt Kayla tense beside her, and she inwardly cringed at the awkward tension. She gave Kayla's hand another squeeze before stepping inside, leading the way.

As they entered the house, the smell of fresh-brewed coffee and old wooden furniture filled the air. The living room was exactly how Amanda remembered it—neat, pristine, almost too perfect. It felt suffocating.

Then, from the other room, a deep voice called out.

"So this is the one that stole my precious angel?"

Amanda's stomach twisted as her father appeared in the doorway, arms crossed, his eyes immediately landing on Kayla. His expression was hard, scrutinizing.

Kayla blinked, caught off guard. "Excuse me?" she said, her voice small but firm.

Amanda's dad scoffed. "I never imagined the day my daughter would bring home a girlfriend. Let alone someone like you." His tone was sharp, biting.

Kayla's mouth parted slightly, a flicker of shock crossing her face. Amanda felt her chest tighten.

"Dad," she said, voice shaking, "don't start."

Her mother sighed, setting down a mug of coffee on the counter. "We just thought you'd—grow out of this phase, Amanda," she said lightly, as if discussing a bad haircut or an embarrassing teenage mistake.

Amanda clenched her jaw. "Phase?" she echoed, her heart hammering.

Her father snorted. "Yeah, you're just confused. This thing you're doing—it's not real. It's not natural."

Tears burned Amanda's eyes, her breathing uneven. Kayla stiffened beside her, but she didn't step away. Instead, she grabbed Amanda's hand, gripping it tightly.

"This thing is my relationship," Amanda shot back, voice breaking. "And Kayla is my girlfriend. Whether you like it or not."

Her mother shook her head, her expression tight. "Amanda, sweetheart, you know we love you, but this... this is hard for us to understand."

Amanda let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. "You don't have to understand it. You just have to respect it. Respect me."

Her father scoffed again, muttering something under his breath.

Amanda felt like she couldn't breathe. Her hands were shaking. "I— I need a minute," she choked out, turning on her heel and rushing down the hall to her old bedroom.

Kayla hesitated for a split second before following her, ignoring Amanda's father's disapproving glare.

She found Amanda sitting on the edge of her childhood bed, her hands covering her face, her shoulders shaking.

Kayla stepped inside, shutting the door softly behind her.

"Babe..." she whispered, kneeling in front of Amanda and gently pulling her hands away.

Amanda looked up at her, tears streaking her cheeks. "I knew this was gonna be bad," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "But I didn't think it'd hurt this much."