-willow tree-

oh, addy.

When Adaline stepped through the front door of her home, she was greeted by the familiar sounds of her parents chatting in the kitchen. The aroma of dinner wafted through the air, but rather than feeling comforted, she felt a weight settle in her chest. She had spent the day pretending to be someone she wasn't, and now she was about to face her parents, who were blissfully unaware of the turmoil brewing inside her.

"Hey, sweetie! How was school?" her mom called out, her tone bright and cheerful.

Adaline plastered on a smile, the kind that felt more like a mask than a genuine expression. "It was fine," she replied, trying to sound upbeat.

Her dad looked up from the stove, a satisfied smile on his face. "We heard you've been making some friends! That's great to hear."

"Yeah, sort of," Adaline said, her heart racing as she thought about the events of the day. She couldn't shake the image of Jane's hurt expression from her mind, but she pushed it down, determined to maintain the façade.

Her mom beamed at her. "You know, we always said that surrounding yourself with the right people is important. You shouldn't waste your time with those who don't lift you up."

Adaline nodded, the words echoing in her ears. "Right, I guess," she said, forcing her voice to be cheerful. "I mean, I wouldn't want to hang out with anyone who isn't... you know, cool."

Her parents exchanged approving glances, clearly pleased with her response. "Exactly!" her dad chimed in. "It's good to know you're learning that. We want you to be surrounded by people who share your values and ambitions."

Adaline felt a pang of guilt gnawing at her. She had always valued her parents' opinions, but their celebration of her choices felt misplaced. She knew the reality of what had happened with Jane, but the thought of admitting that felt too daunting. Instead, she feigned enthusiasm. "Yeah, I totally get it. I mean, I'm better off without those 'lowlifes' anyway," she added, forcing a laugh that felt hollow.

"Oh, that's my girl!" her mom said, her eyes sparkling with pride. "You're going to go so far in life, Adaline. Just keep surrounding yourself with the right crowd."

Adaline nodded along, wishing she could be honest about her feelings. She wanted to tell them how she felt about Jane, how she had seen a glimpse of someone who might have been a friend. But the fear of disappointing her parents kept her silent.

"Dinner's almost ready!" her dad announced, and as they moved to the dining table, Adaline felt the weight of her pretense settle in. She played the part of the happy daughter, laughing and engaging in conversation, all while her heart ached with the knowledge of the pain she had caused.

As they sat down to eat, Adaline put on a cheerful smile, but inside, she felt more lost than ever. The approval of her parents felt like a double-edged sword. She was grateful for their support, but she couldn't shake the feeling that she was drifting further away from who she really wanted to be.

In that moment, as the conversation flowed around her, Adaline realized that the happiness she projected was just a veneer, hiding the confusion and guilt that lay beneath. She hoped that one day, she would find the courage to break free from the expectations and truly embrace herself, even if it meant redefining what her friendships looked like.