The Urban Princesses: Ariel

Chapter 5

"But dad!" I whined.

"Ariel, your singing career is more important than some concert!" He argued back.

He was forcing me to go to finals. I told him Aly could take my place. I really didn't want to go. It was too much pressure on me. The entire team was relying on me to do good.

"Dad, can't you just let me do what I want for once!" I pleaded.

"This is too important for you to just ditch!"

"I won't be ditching it-"

"Not showing up is ditching."

"No I mean..."

"You mean what?"

"It wouldn't be ditching if I wasn't on the team."

I stared at my feet.

"You're quitting?!"

"I have been wanting to for a while. I just didn't know when I should tell you."

"Ariel! You are an amazing singer! You can just give up! What else are you going to do in life? This is your calling."

I thought for a moment. I wanted to answer the question truthfully.

"I want to surf."

"Oh, Ariel-"

He sat down on my bed and put his head in his hands.

"Dad, just think, I could take over the restaurant and live on the beach-"

"No, Ariel," He said, looking up at me. "You could be so much more successful. The restaurant will just be a burden on your back. I had the same dream as you, it won't work like that."

He stood up and started pacing.

"Ok, so maybe I won't be a surfer for a living but I don't have to decide just yet. There will always be finals next year-"

"No, Ariel!" He screamed.

"I have made my decision! You are not backing out on a promise you made already! You are going to the chorus concert!" He shouted.

"Please-"

"Stop arguing!"

"No-"

"That's it! You are going! You will also be grounded except for school and chorus practice! No concert, no beach club, no Fallon, and no surfing!"

I started sobbing on the bed. This wasn't fair! No beach?! That is like taking away oxygen. I don't get why he is being so strict. It's just a concert. There are plenty of other great singers on the team that could take my place.

Plenty of other girls to kiss Will.

All of the rage and sadness from the day before came back, mixed with my emotions now. I threw pillows against the wall. I screamed into the mattress.

I heard someone open the door. Dad left twenty minutes before.

I smelled salt. It was Aly.

I got up. She still had sand on her toes.

She rushed over to me and held me in her arms.

"What happened?!" She asked.

"He.....grounded....me...." I said in between cries.

"No Eric Jacobsen.....no Fallon....." I started.

"No beach!" I started sobbing again.

She rubbed my head and tried to calm me down.