CHAPTER 3:
That evening, Tori was at her computer polishing up her resume when she got a phone call from an unknown number.
"Hello? Tori Vega here," she said, answering it.
"Tori," the voice said. It was Leah, and it sounded like she was crying. "It's me, Leah."
"Leah, hi. What's going on?" Tori asked her as she closed her computer.
"They did it. They kicked me out," Leah sobbed. "I didn't want to tell them that I'm gay, but my mom somehow found out. I don't know how she did, but she talked it over with my dad. And…well, they came to a conclusion. They just kicked me out."
"Oh, Leah, I'm so sorry," Tori replied. "Where are you now?"
"I'm at a bus stop not far from my house," Leah cried. "I don't know where to go…"
"Well, do you want me to come pick you up?" Tori asked her, looking at her watch.
"Yes, please," Leah answered. "I don't know where else to go."
"Don't worry, Leah. I'm on my way," Tori said.
"Tori?" Leah spoke again, just before Tori hung up.
"Yes?" Tori replied.
"I'm so scared," Leah said and Tori heard her heave a few more sobs.
"Leah, don't worry. I'll come pick you up and we'll decide where to go from there," Tori promised.
"Thank you, Tori," Leah said. Tori hung up, went downstairs and prepared to leave.
"Honey, where are you going?" Holly asked her daughter.
"Leah's parents kicked her out just because she's gay," Tori explained quickly.
"Oh, that's so horrible," Holly replied. "Well, what are you going to do?"
"I can't leave her at the bus station alone, Mom," Tori said. "She's scared there and she has nowhere to go. I'll bring her here and then we'll decide."
"Alright, that sounds good," Holly agreed. "I'll call your dad and let him know what's happening."
After a few miles of driving, Tori found Leah at a bus stop. Leah got into the car. The two girls talked for a bit, and Tori reassured Leah that everything was going to be alright. Another few miles went by as Tori drove Leah back to her house. It was around 9 p.m. when they arrived.
"Are you sure it's alright, me staying here?" Leah asked, drying her tears as she came in.
"Yeah, for the time being," Tori answered.
"I'm sorry to have been a burden like this," Leah said worriedly.
"You're not!" Tori reassured her.
"Tori, Leah," Holly called out as she came downstairs with David.
"I'm so sorry to hear what happened, Leah," David spoke as he came down.
"It's alright, Mr. Vega," Leah shrugged.
"So can she stay here, Dad?" Tori asked him. "Please?"
"Well, it's too late for me to do anything about it tonight," David answered, gazing at his watch and then back up again. "But yes, I do believe she can stay here for the time being until I figure something out."
"Thank you so much," Leah said gratefully as her eyes welled up again. "I want to thank you all for being so nice to me."
"Don't worry about it, honey," Holly said. She sat down beside the girl and put her arm around her.
"Well, Leah, did you have anything to eat before you left?" Tori asked her. Leah shook her head.
"Let's order take-out?" David suggested.
"Good idea," Holly agreed.
"Leah, is there anything in particular you want?" Tori asked.
"I'm in the mood for some Italian food," Leah chimed in. "That is...If that's alright with you guys?"
"Italian sounds good to me, Leah." Tori smiled.