9-1-1 ᴅᴀᴜɢʜᴛᴇʀ ᴏɴᴇ sʜᴏᴛs

Girlfriend? - Evan Buckley

Ottilie "Ottie" Buckley was a bright, spirited 15-year-old who had inherited her father Evan "Buck" Buckley's charm and resilience. Yet, despite her confident exterior, she carried a secret that weighed heavily on her heart. She was a lesbian and had been dating her girlfriend, Tessa, for the past six months. Ottie loved Tessa deeply, but the constant need to hide their relationship from her father was taking its toll on both of them.

---

It was a sunny afternoon, and Ottie and Tessa were sitting in a secluded spot in the park, their hands entwined. They had spent many afternoons here, sharing stories, dreams, and stolen kisses away from prying eyes.

Tessa looked at Ottie with a mix of affection and frustration. "Ottie, I love you, but I hate being a secret. Why can't we just tell people? Why can't we tell your dad?"

Ottie sighed, her eyes welling up with tears. "Tessa, you know I want to. But I'm scared. I don't know how he'll react. What if he doesn't accept us?"

Tessa squeezed her hand tighter. "Your dad loves you, Ottie. He'll understand. But I can't keep doing this. It hurts to hide our love."

"I know," Ottie whispered, her voice trembling. "I promise, I'll tell him. I just need a little more time."

Tessa nodded, though her eyes reflected her sadness. "Okay, but please, don't wait too long."

---

That evening, Tessa visited Ottie at her house sneaking in the window so Buck didn't see. They were supposed to have a quiet night watching movies, but the tension between them was palpable. As they sat on Ottie's bed, Tessa's frustration finally boiled over.

"Ottie, I can't keep doing this," Tessa said, her voice breaking. "It's not fair to either of us. If you really love me, you'll tell him."

Ottie felt a pang of guilt. "I do love you, Tessa. More than anything. But I need to do this in my own time."

Tessa shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "Your own time? What about my time? What about us? I can't keep feeling like I'm not important enough to be known."

Ottie reached out, but Tessa pulled away. "Tessa, please, don't go. I promise, I'll tell him soon."

Tessa stood up, her shoulders shaking with sobs. "I'm sorry, Ottie. I can't keep doing this."

With that, Tessa walked out, leaving Ottie alone in her room, her heart shattered. She buried her face in her hands, crying uncontrollably.

---

Buck was in the living room, going over some paperwork, when he heard Ottie's sobs. Concerned, he made his way to her room and knocked gently on the door.

"Ottie? Sweetheart, are you okay?" he asked, his voice filled with worry.

When he received no answer, he slowly opened the door to find his daughter curled up on her bed, her body shaking with sobs. He immediately rushed to her side, sitting down and pulling her into his arms.

"Ottie, what's wrong? Talk to me," Buck pleaded, his heart breaking at the sight of his daughter's pain.

Ottie clung to him, her sobs muffled against his chest. "Dad, I'm so sorry. I... I have something to tell you."

Buck stroked her hair gently. "It's okay, sweetheart. Whatever it is, you can tell me."

Ottie took a deep breath, gathering her courage. "Dad, I'm a lesbian. And I've been dating a girl named Tessa for six months. But I was too scared to tell you because I didn't know how you'd react."