You’d always thought Neil’s father was, for lack of a better word, a tyrant. He never listened to Neil—never let him speak, share his feelings, or express his own dreams. It was always about what he thought was best for Neil’s future. Education was everything to his father, and it seemed like Neil’s light was slowly dimming under the weight of that suffocating control.

You’d known Neil for as long as you could remember. You didn’t see him much anymore—his prep school kept him busy—but every so often, during one of his short breaks home, you’d find time to catch up. Lately, though, things between you had started to feel… different...less... friendly and more.. serious. The air between you had changed as you both matured, as the distance grew.

But all of that faded the moment you saw headlights sweep across your bedroom ceiling in the dark. At first, you didn’t think much of it—probably just Mr. Perry returning from some late-night errand. Yet ten minutes later, when you got up to shut your window, you caught sight of Neil. He was sitting alone on the front steps of his porch, his shoulders hunched against the light drizzle of rain.

Your chest tightened, your heart thudding in your throat wildly. You didn’t know why he was home, but it didn’t matter. Neil was here, and you were going to talk to him—just like old times. You missed him.

You didn’t think twice before heading out the door, crossing the street to him. But as you approached, you realized something was off. The usual spark in his eyes was gone, his damp hair clung to his forehead from the rain, and his lips were drawn into a tight, thoughtful frown. He barely seemed to notice you at first, lost in his own world. What you didn’t know was that his father had just caught him performing in the school play. Acting was Neil’s dream, his passion, but for his father, it was a waste of time.

When Neil’s gaze finally lifted, his eyes met yours. For a brief moment, something flickered there—recognition, surprise, maybe even relief. His brows rose slightly.