A Gentle Collision

Chapter 7

Freen opened the door hesitantly, her heart already heavy with the memory of her father’s earlier refusal. She’d asked him about the party that afternoon—timidly, carefully—and his response had been cold and curt.

“Waste of time. You have enough to do here without gallivanting around with strangers,” he’d said, his glare daring her to push back. She hadn’t. She never did.

So when she saw the girl from earlier standing on the porch, her hood down this time, Freen’s stomach sank. She recognized her from the morning, the same sharp eyes and closed-off demeanor. The girl was a striking contrast to the warmth her mother had exuded at their doorstep earlier.

“Hi,” the girl said bluntly, her tone indifferent. “My mom sent me to confirm if you’re coming to the party.”

Freen felt her throat tighten. Her first instinct was to shake her head and apologize again, but before she could respond, her father’s voice rang out from the living room.

“Who is it?” he demanded.

Freen stiffened, her fingers gripping the edge of the door. “Someone about the party,” she said softly, not daring to turn her head.

“Well, who’s asking?”

The girl rolled her eyes, clearly picking up on the tension in the air. She leaned slightly to the side, raising her voice just enough. “I’m Becky. My mom’s hosting the party. We just want to know if you’re coming or not.”

Freen’s father appeared in the hallway, his face hard to read. Freen braced herself, expecting him to tell Becky the same thing he’d told her earlier. But instead, his expression softened in a way Freen barely recognized.

“A party, you say?” he asked, his tone startlingly polite.

Becky nodded, her hands stuffed into her jacket pockets. “Yeah, tonight at our place. My mom invited you and…” She glanced at Freen. “Her.”

Her father’s smile was tight, forced. “How thoughtful of your mother. I’d hate for us to miss such a kind invitation.”

Freen’s jaw almost dropped. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Was this the same man who had snapped at her just hours ago?

“But…” Freen began, her voice trembling.

Her father shot her a warning look, though his smile didn’t falter. “Freen, why don’t you go along? It’ll be good for you to meet new people.”

The words felt like a trap, but Freen knew she couldn’t refuse. Not in front of Becky, not when her father was putting on this bizarre act.

“Okay,” she whispered, barely able to get the word out.

Becky shrugged, her expression indifferent. “Cool. Starts at seven. See you there.”

She turned and walked down the path without another word, leaving Freen standing in the doorway, her heart pounding in her chest.

When Freen closed the door, her father’s false cheer disappeared in an instant. His eyes were sharp and cold as he stared her down.

“Don’t embarrass me,” he hissed, his voice low and venomous. “You’d better behave yourself tonight.”

Freen nodded, swallowing hard. “Yes, sir.”

She knew there would be consequences for this. The kindness he’d shown in front of Becky was nothing more than a performance, and she would pay for it later. But for now, she couldn’t think about that.

For the first time, she had permission to step out of the house, even if it was just for one night. And as terrifying as it was, Freen couldn’t help but feel a flicker of hope beneath the fear.

If only it wasn’t such a dangerous risk.