Senior Year

20

Zac looked at the brochures on his table. He was really considering going to culinary school instead of business school. His only problem was telling his parents.

"Zac! Mom says dinner's ready!" Jessica yelled through his bedroom door.

Zac looked at the door for a few seconds before letting out a breath and standing up. He grabbed the brochures and walked downstairs to the dinning room.

He sat down with his family and they had their dinner. In the middle of dinner Zac's mom asked them what they did for the day.

"I did the usual. Read a book, ate some food. Usual Saturday Jessica stuff." Jessica shrugged.

"What about you Zac?"

"I went out with a friend and I finally figured out where I wanna go after highschool." Zac smiled.

"Oh really? Where?" Jessica asked not really caring about his answer.

"Culinary school. I wanna go to culinary school after highschool." Zac smiled proudly.

"Zac? What don't you understand when I tell you you're going to business school?" Zac's dad asked not looking up from his plate.

"Dad I know you want me to be a businessman like you but it's not my thing. It's yours and Jess's thing."

"Za-"

"If you just think about it you'll see that I'm right dad." Zac said cutting his father off.

"I think he's right." Zac's mom smiled.

"Same here." Jessica smiled.

"Enough!" Zac's dad slammed his hand on the table startling his entire family. "I have had enough of your behavior Zac."

"My behavior? What-"

"You listen to me. You will go to school and learn business. You will come back and inherit my business. Am I clear?"

"But Jess-"

"I don't care about Jessica! I am not going to give my business to someone who is going to get married and take another man's name. Do I make myself clear?"

"Dad I can't do that. I don't wanna-"

"I don't care what you want! You're going to lead my business and maybe then you'll stop being such a disappointment!"

"Disappointment?" Zac whispered with glassy eyes.

"Oh suck it up! Real men don't cry." Zac's dad said before angrily making his way up the stairs.

Jessica looked at Zac for a few seconds before looking at her mother and making her way to her room without a word.

"I'm sorry Zac."

Zac looked up to see his mother with her hand on his shoulder giving him a sympathetic look.

"I'm gonna go out. I'll be back in a few hours." Zac said as he placed the brochures on the table. He went upstairs to grab his keys and a hoodie before getting in his car and driving off.

He didn't even know where he was going until he found himself at school. He got his car and walked around the building to the woods near the school. He walked over to the tree Mr Hartford showed him and Naomi on their first 'Field trip'.

He picked up a rock and threw it at the tree. He then picked up a stick and started hitting the tree and screamed.

He stayed there for about thirty minutes before he made his way back to his car and driving back home.