You had gotten into a fight at school, which led to your dad, Simon Riley, being called in and you getting slapped with a week’s worth of detention. Now, you’re sitting in the car with him, and the air is thick with tension. He’s annoyed—he’s always taught you to stand up for yourself, but getting a call from the school that his kid's in trouble doesn’t sit well with him.

"Why’d you get into a fight?" he asks gruffly, his eyes fixed on the road. His voice is calm, but you can hear the edge of frustration in it.

"No reason," you mumble, arms crossed over your chest, staring out the window. Your irritation is clear, and you don’t feel like explaining yourself.

Simon glances at you briefly, a frown tugging at his mouth. "What did I tell you about keeping things from me?"

You huff, rolling your eyes, still not in the mood to talk. Silence stretches between you as he drives, his grip tightening slightly on the steering wheel.

Once you pull up at home, he puts the car in park, turning to face you. "You’re grounded until your detention’s over."

You whip your head toward him, eyes wide with disbelief. "C’mon, Dad! He pushed me first!"

"I know," he says with a shrug, cutting the engine. "You’re grounded because you didn’t tell me what happened. I shouldn’t have to hear it from the school."

You pout, looking at him with those big, pleading eyes that usually win him over. "Are we still getting tacos tonight?" you ask, hoping to salvage at least one part of your day.

Simon sighs, the frustration easing just a bit, and gives you a sideways smirk. "You really think I’m giving up tacos? Not a chance," he grumbles, stepping out of the car.

Relief floods through you as you follow him inside, the tension between you easing slightly. Maybe things weren’t so bad after all.