The Pastor's Daughter

Chapter 1

Shelby had always loved to explore, for a young age she had fond memories of long treks through the woods, and cave explorations with her brothers. Joining a new Church was no different. Every religious building held its own mysteries, its own beauty. That's what led the blonde on her adventure that morning. The congregation were just starting to gather in the main worship room, the whole place buzzing with excitement for the new Pastor – Shelby's dad – but Shelby had been through this song and dance so many times before, that she'd much rather explore what most people don't see. Past the stained-glass windows and holy statues. It wasn't the biggest Church they'd been to, but it was definitely the most beautiful. Gorgeous oil paintings lined the walls that lead to her Father's office, the dust thick on the frame as she gently ran her finger across the wooden patterns. Nothing a little polish can't fix. Stopping just short of the office, she looked up at a painting of 'The Last Supper' studying this artist's interpretation and mentally comparing it to the dozens of others she'd seen over her life, that's when she heard it. She wasn't entirely sure what 'it' was exactly. At first, she was convinced that it was all in her head, or that it had possibly been the overflow from the ever-growing crowd in the nave. But then she heard it again and again, each time growing louder and louder. The sound was foreign to the young girl, each yelp almost like a cry of pain. So she followed. It wasn't your typical cry. Definitely not one that Shelby had heard before. And then she saw it – the door to the storage closet slightly ajar – moving carefully, Shelby opened the door ever so slightly and frowned as she tried to decipher what she had seen.

At first, she thought that the two girls were fighting and that the brunette tomboy looking one had gotten the upper hand...boy was she wrong. She was about to intervene when she watched the brunette lean in close to the redheaded girl and press their lips together, hard. Shelby's eyes widen in shock, but she couldn't bring herself to look away or to try and stop them. Silently she watched as she kissed her way down the redhead's jawline to her neck, causing the same cry to escape from the other girl's lips. The redhead was whispering something to the shorter girl, something Shelby couldn't quite make out from her distance. But whatever she said caused a devious smirk to appear on the blonde's lips, and Shelby had to force back a gulp as she watched her slowly raise the hem of the redhead's dress and allowed her hand to disappear under the floral fabric. Shelby wasn't naïve, she knew what she was witnessing and as she stood there, her father's words plagued her mind. 'This isn't right'...Shelby thought to herself and finally broke away, but not before she caught the eye of the tom-boy, who could only wink as Shelby scurried away.

***

Shelby watched as the tomboy snuck into the service just as it was beginning. She could see the disapproving glare from who Shelby assumed was her mother as she took her seat, sparing a quick glance over her shoulder at the redheaded girl who had arrived a few moments before her.

Try as she might – and she really did try – Shelby found herself thinking back to what she had just witnessed and annoyingly found her gaze drifting away from her father's sermon to the brunette a few rows over. Cautiously, she studied the brunette, her eyes tracing over her slim yet strong build, noting how well the tight-fitting white button-down shirt she wore highlighted her athletic body. Her eyes rested on her face; her olive kissed skin looked flawless, relaxed as she listened to the sermon. Shelby bit her lip nervously as she watched her pick at the remains of black nail polish, the black shavings sitting like dalmatian spots on her shirt. She didn't know why her mind was so hyper-focused on the brunette, she wasn't the only one she'd caught in the closet, but something about her stuck with Shelby. Maybe it was the assertiveness, the way she had taken control – even when she was the shorter one by a long shot – or maybe it was the wink sent Shelby's way, her way of taunting her, challenging her to say something. Shelby didn't know what to think anymore. Her mind still dancing with the image of the brief yet oddly exciting moment, so much so, that before she knew it the sermon was over, and she had no idea what had been said.