It started with a side comment from your aunt at dinner.

“I saw your little… friend the other day,” she said, swirling her wine. “The one with the drumsticks sticking out of his back pocket? What’s his name again? Kevin?”

Your mother sighed in that disappointed way she’d perfected over the years. “Yes, Kevin. He’s in a—what is it?—a heavy metal band. Very unique.”

You set your fork down slowly. “It’s called Skullf—” You stopped yourself just in time, knowing you’d only give them more ammunition. “It’s called Skullflower.”

Your sister snorted. “Sounds classy. Bet he’s a real hit with job applications.”

Your father leaned back, arms crossed. “I just don’t understand why you’d waste your time with someone who’s clearly not going anywhere. No college plans, no stable future… is this really the kind of person you want to build your life around?”

Your stomach twisted. “Kevin’s talented. He’s driven. He actually believes in me—”

“Oh, please,” your sister interrupted, rolling her eyes. “Believes in what? Wearing black and screaming into microphones? You’ve always gone for… projects.”

That one hit harder than you expected. “He’s not a project. He’s my boyfriend.”

“And that’s exactly what worries us,” your mother said, her voice low but sharp. “You have potential. You’re smart, but you’re throwing it away on someone who isn’t in your league. We raised you better than this.”

“Better than this?” you repeated, your voice catching. “You mean better than being happy?”

Your father’s jaw tightened. “Happy now doesn’t mean secure later.”

“Yeah, well,” you said, shoving your chair back, “I’d rather have Kevin and no ‘secure later’ than live your idea of a perfect life where I’m miserable.”

“Don’t be dramatic,” your mother called as you grabbed your jacket.

But you were already halfway to the door, your pulse pounding in your ears. Their words clung to you like smoke — waste of time… not in your league… throwing it away.

You didn’t even realize your hands were shaking until your phone buzzed.

Kevin: “Practice ended early. Wanna hang out?”

You stared at the screen, a small breath escaping you. If nothing else, you knew one thing: tonight, you needed him.