-willow tree-

Adeline

As Adeline sat on her bed, mindlessly scrolling through social media, a familiar voice called her down for dinner. It was her father, his tone as stern as ever. "Adeline, come down for dinner please." The request felt more like an order, and she couldn't help but feel a wave of dread wash over her. Dinner with her family had never been something she looked forward to; it was always a battleground of arguments and judgments.

With a resigned sigh, she made her way to the dining room, where her parents were already seated, their expressions expectant. The moment she sat down, the interrogation began. They launched into discussions about the latest social media drama, their voices filled with a mix of concern and disappointment. "Have you found a boyfriend yet?" her mother asked, and Adeline felt the familiar knot tighten in her stomach.

They always seemed to believe that if she had a man by her side, her life would somehow be complete. "Adeline, you need to find someone to take care of you. You're almost 18," her dad insisted, his voice booming with authority.

"But Dad—" she started to protest, but he cut her off, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Addy, I've set you up with my boss's son. You have a date after dinner. You are to get ready."

"No, Dad!" Adeline shouted, frustration bubbling to the surface. But before she could say anything more, he raised his voice in return, and the tension in the room escalated. Unable to handle it any longer, she bolted from the dining room, slamming her bedroom door behind her.

In her room, as she prepared for the date she never wanted, a sinking feeling settled in her chest. Something felt off, but she couldn't shake the pressure to comply with her father's wishes. She was stuck in a situation that felt suffocating, caught between her own desires and the expectations that loomed over her. With each passing moment, the weight of her predicament grew heavier, leaving her feeling more trapped than ever.