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CHAPTER THIRTEEN: THE SNOW BALL
It was the night of the Snow Ball.
Rowan and Max had decided to go with their new friends—a little reward of normalcy since everything had happened and life seemed to be returning to its usual rhythm. The gate was closed, no more Demodogs, no more Upside Down...
Rowan looked at himself in the mirror, meticulously reviewing his outfit. He adjusted his jacket, smoothed down his shirt, and ran a comb through his hair for the tenth time. He wanted to look good. Especially for Lucas. He didn't know if he could build up the courage to dance with him in front of everyone at their school, and he had no idea if he would even make his move... but he sure as hell wanted to try and make the night special.
Struggling with his tie, Rowan started to huff in frustration. He fumbled with the knot, trying to remember the steps from the tutorial his watched from his father years ago. His fingers seemed to have a mind of their own, tying and untying the fabric until it was a crumpled mess. With a growl of annoyance, he roughly tossed the tie onto his bed.
At that moment, Rowan's father walked into his room. He was a tall man with a strong build, his presence always a bit intimidating. He noticed the discarded tie and Rowan's frazzled state, and with a small chuckle, he picked up the tie and began to help.
"Trying to impress some girl, are we?" his father teased as he deftly tied the tie around Rowan's neck, making small adjustments to ensure it was perfectly straight.
Rowan shifted uncomfortably, looking down at his shoes. His heart raced as he thought about how to respond. He bit his tongue, choosing his words carefully. "Something like that."
His father smiled, seemingly satisfied with Rowan's noncommittal answer. "What's her name?" he asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice.
Rowan hesitated, his mind racing. He considered telling his father the truth, but he wasn't sure how he would react. The fear of rejection and disappointment loomed large in his mind. Finally, he took a deep breath and avoided the question. "It doesn't matter. I just want to look good."
His father's eyes hardened slightly, but he didn't press further. Instead, he patted Rowan on the shoulder. "Well, make sure you behave yourself. And remember, don't do anything to embarrass the family."
Rowan nodded, the words stinging more than they should. "I won't, Dad."
His father gave him one last appraising look before leaving the room. Rowan sighed, adjusting his suit one final time. He took a deep breath, trying to calm the nerves that were building inside him. Tonight was important, not just because of the dance, but because he was taking a step towards being true to himself, even if he couldn't be completely honest with his father.
As he left his room, Rowan passed by Billy's door. It was slightly ajar, and he could see his brother inside, leaning against his bedpost, staring out the window with a brooding expression. Billy caught Rowan's eye and glared, a silent reminder of the tension that always existed between them. Rowan sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly under the weight of his brother's disdain.
