Laura thought she experienced a fair amount of hardship during her life.

There were the typical vampire hunter problems. Like the time she had to live in a tiny tent with a group of big smelly vampire hunters as they tracked a succubus in Siberia. For some odd reason, the hunters insisted on singing the "America's Next Top Model" theme song constantly. They were convinced that Tyra Banks was a friendly vampire—"Tyra hasn't aged since she was sixteen! And she hasn't killed anyone. Yet. She must be a good vamp, right?" Night after night, they resolutely warbled their hearts out with horrible, off-pitch voices. The discordant sound grated on Laura's nerves, especially since she had perfect pitch. After a particularly raucous session, an avalanche swept away most of their supplies. The hunters started singing in fearful whispers after that. The next day, Laura secretly thanked the mountain for preserving her ears by picking up all the litter she could find.

Then there were the everyday living-in-a-world-with-monsters problems. For example, she had to spear an enraged sphinx through the heart while fending off a flirtatious ghoul who told her that he was the Emperor of the Underworld, and knew Hades personally—"Hades drops by for tea every Tuesday and Thursday. Sometimes, we see even celebrities. Last week, J.S. Le Fanu sat with us! I got his autograph and a copy of his newest book." Laura didn't know who J.S. Le Fanu was, but she could hardly care less. The ghoul was obviously all talk. She killed the sphinx with a swift blow. Then, she led the ghoul on a merry chase all over the English countryside until she came across a village called "Ottery St. Catchpole." A pair of lanky redheaded twins saw her with the ghoul and offered to take it off her hands. They said they had a lonely ghoul in their attic who wanted some company. Laura gladly acquiesced. She followed them to their house, "The Burrow," and gave the ghoul the slip. There was no denying that the ghoul was interesting company. But, while monsters were exciting, sometimes Laura felt like they were more trouble than they were worth.

And then finally, there were the normal teenage girl problems. Like figuring out what to wear to prom (Laura went with a dress that looked like a tuxedo). Or trying to figure out tampons (Laura realized she was more of a visual learner as she tried to follow the company spokesperson's instructions over the phone). And coming out to her dad.

Yeah, that last one definitely qualified as one of the hardest things Laura's ever done.

After escaping the ghoul, Laura met up with her father on the outskirts of a sleepy little town in Austria. He heard rumors that the villagers knew the whereabouts of a vampire who seemingly fit the description of the one that killed Laura's mother. The villagers refused to tell her father anything until he eradicated the troll outbreak that threatened their home. He readily agreed, enlisting Laura's help.

Between blows, she hemmed and hawed, trying to find the right words. How can I tell my dad that no, I don't want to marry Brad Pitt, but if Angelina Jolie asked me to run away with her, I'd tell her to let me pack my bags? Her dad always seemed super open minded and accepting. But what if that's only for show? What if he says it's okay to be gay for everyone else, but not for me? Laura knew of several instances of familial hypocrisy when it came to these types of matters. I wonder if he already suspects anything. But if he did, he hasn't kicked me out yet. But, what if he's totally oblivious? She tossed around a few phrases in her mind. Dad, I made out on your bed. With our insanely hot next-door-neighbor. Those weren't the right words. Damn it, Hollis! Girl the hell up and say it! She hesitated. I'm literally battling for my life right now, but I can't tell my dad that I like girls. A giggle burst from her lips, turning into a full-blown laugh. This's kind of messed up. But she knew why. Her mom was dead. She didn't want her dad— protector, mentor, best friend—to leave too. She glanced at him fondly. He spun, ducked, and twirled his sword, fighting three trolls at once. I can't lose him.

The breath left Laura's lungs as a big troll grabbed her ankle and hoisted her into the air. Stop getting distracted! Laura screeched inhumanly and madly swung her wooden spatula. Her arms, too short, hung uselessly in the air. She couldn't land a hit. The troll raised his club, his small eyes glinting evilly at her.

"Dad! I just want you to know that—that I'm gay! And, I love you!" Wait, did I just say that out loud? Judging from her dad's stunned expression, she did. But hanging upside down in midair about to be clobbered to death never felt so good. Laura chanced a glance at her troll and found him staring at her with his mouth hanging wide open. She scowled at him and threw her spatula, hitting his bulbous nose. Yeah, so what I like girls? You can suck it.

A dagger sprouted from the middle of the troll's forehead. Air whooshed past her as she fell, landing in a heap on the hard ground. Her troll keeled over, dead. Her dad made quick work of the rest of the trolls, severing the last head with practiced ease. The big lumpy head thudded to the ground and rolled to a stop at Laura's feet. She kicked it away. After a moment, her father cleared his throat.

"Are you in a relationship, Laura? Who is it? Did you two kiss—what have I told you about herpes? Is that why you asked for a new phone? Do you—what do you kids call it—do the thing where you send inappropriate pictures?"

"Dad. Seriously?" Laura folded her arms. "No, I'm not dating anyone, and no, I don't sext."

"Sext?"

"It's when you—ugh, never mind. I don't do that kind of stuff. You know me."

Her dad's posture relaxed. Somewhat. "Okay, sorry. Overreacting."

"It's okay." Laura bit the inside of her cheek as she shifted her weight from foot to foot.

Her father could sense her discomfort. He put down his sword and slung an arm around her shoulders.

"Laura, I don't care what you like. As long as you're happy." He gave her the biggest, friendliest smile ever.

Her heart swelled. She squealed and squeezed him as hard as she could. He squeezed her back. All her anxiety and fear melted away. The heartbreaking years spent wondering if her dad would still love her after she came out seemed so long ago. It's okay. It's actually okay.

"I love you, dad."

"I love you too, Laura." He was quiet for a beat. "But, you'd tell me if you had a girlfriend, right?"

Laura smiled into his chest. "You'll be the first to know."

In retrospect, all of those things seemed easy. Trivial, even. Nothing could have prepared her for a roommate like Carmilla.