Metal Rose

Chapter 7

Hunter's father watches intently as his son walks across the room.

"Wow, you look..."

Hunter looks confused.

"Like what?"

His dad sighs.

"Like yourself. Are you trying to make sure you scare people away?"

Hunter groans.

"Dad, this is really me, and I'm not the only person like this."

His dad raises his eyebrows.

"Kevin isn't even like this one-hundred percent, Hunter. You're still going to that festival?"

Hunter nods and then speaks cautiously.

"I'm not going alone though... I'm about to go pick up a friend..."

His father narrows his eyes, questioning him with suspicion.

"A friend? Would this be the same friend I have never seen and have no proof exists?"

Hunter looks away.

"Maybe."

His dad shakes his head.

"Look, if you don't want your new little friend around me, that's fine. But you can't just go parading around town with some random mysterious human being."

Hunter rolls his eyes.

"Dad, trust me. You have nothing to worry about with this person. It's not like you would actually care if someone did something to me anyway."

Hunter's dad looks at him disappointed.

"That's not true."

Hunter gives a chuckle and a huff.

"You didn't seem to care much when I was attacked multiple times last year and had my hair cut."

Dr. Sylvester sighs and shakes his head.

"Son, it's not that I didn't care about it. You have to admit that you fought back and provoked people around you. It wasn't all your fault, and no people shouldn't have bullied or messed with you. However, you do have to acknowledge your part in it."

Hunter looks at his dad in disbelief.

"Are you kidding me? I was doing nothing but being myself. I finally decided to stand up for myself, Dad."

Dr. Sylvester gazed at Hunter, uncertain of how to reply. Hunter shook his head in disappointment. His dad let out another sigh.

"I have supported you. I bought all of your music equipment and your little Satan band t-shirts. I don't understand it, but I have allowed you to express yourself. I don't even mind that you grew your hair, and it's longer than mine. It looks good on you. I want to understand why you are so angry and fight with the whole world."

Hunter stands feeling like a disappointment.

"I don't fight with everyone."

Dr. Sylvester laughs.

"Kevin doesn't count. You put up this tough exterior that is not true to who you are when you are home. You think it's easier to make the world hate you. You don't have to worry about rejection. It's easier to like scary things because it keeps people away from you. You act as if you don't care, but want friends because you are lonely. You want to be this persona and wonder why hardly anyone accepts you. Maybe if you were more open to different things, someone besides Kevin and his poor girlfriend who you picked on would accept you."