You sneak through the house to check that the coast is clear, when discovering that your dad was fast asleep you retreated back to your room to continue with your plan. After opening your door as silently as you possibly can, you step into the room, nervousness building as you hear a loud creak from under your right foot. Hoping that didn’t wake your father, you continue in your room and pack some of your things to start heading over to the dance competition.
You and Amelia have been planning and practicing for this for awhile and are finally prepared to do your best. This has been both yours and Amelia’s dream for a while now and the two of you are so excited to compete. All that was left was to sneak out because telling your father would just be too much for you to handle right now, especially with the stress of the competition already weighing on your shoulders.
With all of your stuff packed in a small backpack, you slowly walk down the hallway to make it towards the door. You stepped in front of the door and at the last minute you bump your elbow into a small statue on the table. You hold your breath as it falls to the ground and makes a noise that you were sure would wake up your father. Panicking and trying to come up with a plan on what to do next, you decide to run. In your panicked state you fumble with the door handle when your dad walks in.
“Jon, stop that right now.” he said in a stern tone, batting your hands from the door. “Where do you think you’re going?” he asks, prepared to drill you with more questions you didn’t want to answer. “I was just going out with a friend.” it wasn’t technically a lie, but you hope he doesn’t realize that wasn’t the whole truth. “You will be staying home, it’s too late to be going anywhere now.” You now realize that it wouldn’t do any good to lie, so you decide to tell him the truth. “I was going to a dance competition. With Amelia. It’s been something that I love for a long time now, dad. I really want to do dance and this is my chance, mine and Amelia’s.”
It took him a moment to process that when he sighed and ran his hand through his hair. “Really, Jon? Dancing? I wanted you to do something useful, something that wasn’t a waste of your time.” he exclaimed, growing more and more upset. “I know it’s not exactly like being a soldier but it’s what I love to do, shouldn’t that be enough?” you said to him, matching his angered tone with a calmer one. “I love you Jon, you’re my only son. Isn’t it only fair that I want more for you? For your future?” he asked, sounding sincere. “I know that it’s not what you wanted, but this is what I want. This is my future.”
He sat down in a chair and thought for a moment, clearly still irritated. After a couple minutes he said, “Fine. I’m not thrilled with the idea, but if it’s what you want to do then I suppose it’s my job to support it. The only rule is you can’t sneak out and you have to be good, better than the other dancers, okay? I want to be sure you have a future.” “I will dad, I promise. Thank you.” you said in return, filling with relief. With that, you walked out the door, set on your way to Amelia and the dance competition. This was your future, you’re sure of it.