"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.

        "Psychology," I announced.

        "Brilliant!" My mum exclaimed, glancing over to my father who's face was slowly turning into a tomato.

        Mr. Montgomery nodded. "I agree. Why's that?"

        "Studying the way humans think is interesting. The human brain is fascinating, really, and we'll never fully understand it, but I'd like to try. Everyone's brain is a little different, and I think it would be cool to understand how it works a bit more. Plus, I could study different mental illnesses, what part of the brain they effect, and figure out a way to treat them. I guess I just want to help people like me." I was very proud of that answer. I didn't stumble over my words, I didn't make a fool of myself, and it all made sense. And, it was true. I'd always wondered how other people's minds function and what they think about. Making a career out of it wouldn't be so out of reach, and it definitely beat business.

        My father scoffed. "You're perfectly fine, Elijah. So are all of those other people who claim there's something wrong with their head. It's imaginary," he told me, drawing circles in the air around his head.

        "Don't be like that, Andrew," my mum told him softly. I was glad I had someone like her around to calm him down when he got angry, only it rarely worked.

        "Like what? Am I just going to stand by and watch my son throw away a chance at a good career because he's a bit nervous sometimes?" he spat back.

        I was eager for a subject change, and I could tell my mum was too. With a smile plastered on her pale face, she turned to Blake. "How's year twelve so far, love?"

        "It's alright. I've done fine according to my marks, but I haven't really been doing anything besides football and school," he replied. He sounded bored, but smiled at my mum the entire time. I always admired how easily he talked to adults.

        "You've got a lot of mates, son?" My dad asked with a small laugh. I knew exactly where this was going, but there was nothing I could do to stop the inevitable shitstorm that was coming my way.

        Blake drew his brows together in confusion. "Um... yes sir?"

        "You reckon you can get my son a few?" He joked.

        Suddenly, as Blake was racking his brain to find a response, I had an idea for a lie that would shut my dad up in a second.

        "I've got a girlfriend, dad," I announced, fake confidence making my small voice fill the room.

        Everyone turned to me, utter confusion all over their faces (was it really that hard to believe?).

        "Who?" Blake asked.

        "Grace. The new girl."

        His jaw dropped. "You asked her out, then?"

        I nodded. Grace and I talked all through English ever since we met. She did most of the talking, but I didn't really mind listening. She never bored me, whether she was venting or just telling me about her life, I listened. And when I spoke, she listened too.

        One day, she asked if I wanted to go to the library and study sometime, and I said yes. It wasn't a date— or anything close— but my father didn't need to know.

        "That's wonderful, Elijah!" Mrs. Montgomery said.

        My father chuckled and patted me on the back, but not as forcefully as before. "I'm proud of you, boy."

        My mum and I exchanged looks, but for once, we weren't secretly rolling our eyes or panicking. My father was proud of me, and I didn't even have to get a job.

<><><>

Alright second part of the double update. I edited this one like all the others, but it was at 1:00 AM after I got home from a party, so hopefully I didn't miss anything :/

So this is the first time we're really seeing Elijah and his family, along with Blake and his family. What are your opinions on them? Personally, I love Mrs. Montgomery because I wrote her to be a sweetheart and she brings cookies. So.

Thank you so much for reading! Make sure to vote and comment and all that jazz and add to your library so you never miss an update!

~Teddy