Illusion (Calum Hood)

IV

Bostyn's POV

I ate dinner in silence listening to Jeff's speech about how I need to stay focused and how I should be grateful for all the opportunities I have gotten this year from them and should return the favor by being respectful and responsible.

Danielle doesn't talk much during these things. To me, her and Jeff are complete opposites. She's quiet and doesn't yell much. She is protective, but not nearly as over protective as Jeff. I honestly think she feels bad for me when he yells at me.

I'm not saying I hate Jeff or anything. It's just I wish I could do what I want instead of having them live through me.

I'm not them I'm my own person. Bostyn Adelaide Sykes... Or Hoffman I should say.

But that doesn't matter, point is I'm tired of trying to please them. All I'm doing is sacrificing my own happiness. I'm starting to think they don't actually love me. Maybe they're just using me.

"May I speak please?" My voice is barely above a whisper, as I look up from my plate and to Jeff and Danielle.

Jeff sighed and set his fork down, it made and loud clinking noise as it hit his plate.

"Go ahead" he said angrily.

"I'm sorry I'm disappointing you guys. I'm just tired of trying to please everyone. Everyone except myself. I don't feel happy anymore. I'm not eager to learn, I don't look forward to practice or lessons anymore. I'm just tired. I'm tired of you guys not caring about what I think or what I want to do. And I'm sorry about that. I'm so sorry I can't be your perfect child. I'm sorry I have different dreams than you do. I'm sorry my happiness doesn't come from the things you push me to do." I got up and pushed my chair back in.

I didn't even look to see their reactions. I just ran. I ran upstairs to my room and I cried. I didn't know what else I was supposed to do. So I just laid there, wrapped in all of my blankets and bawled my eyes out.

About thirty minutes later I heard a light tapping on my door. I could tell it was Danielle just by the way she knocks.

I got up reluctantly and went to unlock the door.

"Can we talk?" She asked quietly, a sad smile on her face.

"I guess." I mumbled back, going to my bed to sit down.

Danielle looked at me. She had soft blue eyes. They were beautiful, but she always seemed so tired. Her blonde hair was almost perfectly straight, falling just at her shoulders.

"I don't want you to be upset, Bostyn. I know it's hard to believe it but your father and I just want the best for you. I'm sorry you're not as happy as you used to be."

I nearly cringed when she referred to her and Jeff as my mother and father. I also nearly cringed at the part when she said they want the best for me.

"I get it. But I feel like you're living through me. I just want some more freedom. I'm nearly an adult. I need to learn things on my own and make my own decisions. I hope you can respect that." I sighed. I knew I was just going to get in trouble.

"Your father and I talked about that. We do think it's a good idea if we let you have so more space. As long as you keep your grades up and still go to dance and swim practices we don't have a problem with allowing you to make other decisions on your own." Wait. What did she just say?

I couldn't believe the words that just came out of her mouth. Did she honestly just say they were going to let me do things on my own?

I reached over and hugged her. "Thank you! I won't let you guys down I swear."