Count The Stars

seven

        "Elijah Joseph! Get down here!" My dad called upstairs, only I couldn't hear. I was laying face down on my bed, headphones in and music playing on the highest volume. It was a few days after I'd gotten the note and I had already listened to a quarter of the artists on the list. Every band had a similar, lo-fi vibe to it, but there was all kinds of music from rap to pop to country.

        I was on Rex Orange County when my father slammed the door open. I jumped up and ripped out my headphones.

        "I called your name," he said. My dad was your average angry British man. He was small, stubby, and drank tea almost as much as he complained. I never liked to spend much time with him, as it would usually end in a lecture, but it's not like he made an effort. We usually avoided each other unless he was in the mood to talk someone down, then I was always his first choice.

        "What's the problem?"

        He narrowed his beady eyes at me. "Your attitude, that's what."

        "So... you called me down to talk to me about my attitude?"

        "Wha-no. I mean- just get downstairs, boy. The Montgomery's are here," he grumbled, turning on his heel and pounding down the stairs. I sighed and followed him down to our dinning room. I took a seat next to Blake, who gave me a small wave before turning back to his mobile. I reached for mine, but my father shot me a look, so I placed my hands on the table.

        Mrs. Montgomery smiled at me. I always thought she was nice. Every time she came over since Blake and I were little, she brought a plate full of cookies. What's there to complain about?

        "It's so nice to see you again, Elijah. Your parents were just telling me all about your school year so far," she said, shooting everyone a blinding smile.

        I nodded and bit into one of her delicious cookies.

        My father patted me on the back so hard I nearly choked. "Tell them about what you're doing for Uni."

        I looked at him, my eyebrows knitted together. "Sorry?"

        "Tell them your plan! A-levels, University, career choice..."

        I looked at the table, my eyes wide and my heart rate speeding up quickly.

       Shit. What am I going to do with my life? I haven't even thought-

        "Business, just like his father!" My dad announced happily before slapping me on the back again.

        Blake chuckled without looking up from his phone. "I've never heard you talk about business school." His mum lightly slapped his shoulder, causing his to look up at the rest of the table.

        "Well," Mr. Montgomery spoke up, "is he interested in business?" He asked my dad.

        "Sure he is! Right, Elijah," he said, giving me a nudge.

        I didn't want to talk. I knew I'd say something wrong and piss everyone off, so I just stayed silent.

        Unfortunately, the Montgomery's were way too fond of standing up for yourself.

        "What do you really want to do, love?" Mrs. Montgomery asked, leaning over her son and speaking to me like I was a child. I guess I was, at that moment. I was a scared little kid.

        I never really thought about it before. I always assumed my father would force me into something he thought was right, then I'd just be stuck with it. But now that I was really getting the chance to think, it all sort of connected. It was like the answer had always been in the back of my mind, I just never thought I'd get a chance to say it.