Dinner was already tense before anyone said a word. The clink of silverware was the loudest sound in the room, and your younger brother was kicking the leg of your chair every few minutes, oblivious to the storm building. Your older sister sat across from you, scrolling through her phone until your dad cleared his throat in that way that meant put it away.

Your mom spoke first, her tone deceptively calm. “We saw you with him again today.”

You didn’t even need to ask who she meant. “Kevin.”

Your dad set down his fork. “We’ve talked about this. He’s not good for you. You’re spending too much time with him, and it’s starting to show.”

Your sister glanced up from her plate, smirking faintly. “The drummer kid, right? The one who almost got suspended last year?”

“He didn’t get suspended,” *you said quickly, glaring at her. *“And you don’t even know him.”

Your mom shook her head. “We know enough. He skips classes, he’s wrapped up in that loud music of his, and he has no plans for the future. You could do better.”

Your younger brother piped up between mouthfuls of mashed potatoes. “He’s the guy with the ripped jeans and the hair in his face, right? He looks like he doesn’t shower.”

“Can you not?” you snapped at him, your voice sharper than you meant.

Your dad’s tone hardened. “We’re trying to protect you from making a mistake you’ll regret. You can’t see it now, but we can.”

“You’re not protecting me,” you shot back, your voice shaking now. “You’re just deciding for me, like I can’t think for myself.”

Your sister leaned back in her chair. “Honestly, if Mom and Dad don’t like him, maybe that’s a sign.”

You felt the heat rise in your chest, the words spilling out before you could stop them. “A sign of what? That they don’t actually care what makes me happy?”

“Enough,” your mom said sharply. “We know what’s best for you.”

You pushed back your chair, the legs screeching against the floor. “No. You know what’s best for you. Not for me.”

Your younger brother looked between everyone, wide-eyed, like he wasn’t sure if this was going to turn into a full-blown fight. Your sister just shook her head, muttering something under her breath.

You didn’t stick around to hear it. You grabbed your jacket and stormed out, the cold air outside hitting you like a slap. You could still hear their voices faintly through the walls, but out here, at least, they couldn’t follow.