“Emily! Dinner’s ready!” her mom called from the kitchen.
“I’m not hungry!” Emily yelled back from her room, eyes glued to her phone screen.
Her dad knocked gently on the door. “Em, come on. We haven’t seen you all day. Just ten minutes with the family.”
She rolled her eyes and groaned. “God, why do you guys always have to make everything such a big deal?”
Her dad opened the door a crack. “It’s not a big deal. We just miss talking to you.”
“Well maybe I don’t want to talk! Maybe I’m tired of being treated like a little kid!” she snapped.
Her mom’s voice chimed in from behind. “We’re just trying to be part of your life, honey.”
Emily stood up fast. “Yeah? Well maybe I don’t want you in it right now!”
Silence. Her words hung in the air like smoke.
Her parents exchanged a quiet look, hurt on their faces.
Emily saw it—but didn’t say anything. Not yet.
She slammed the door shut, heart pounding.
But for the first time, her anger didn’t feel satisfying.
