THE WEIGHT OF EXPECTATIONS

The evening was coming to an end. Victoire's friends were beginning to leave the house, and the warm atmosphere that had filled the place was slowly fading. Daniella, Ryder, and Andréa stood in the hallway, coats on, ready to head home. Victoire walked them to the door, a small smile on his lips, though sadness lingered in his eyes.

— "Thank you for coming, really," Victoire said softly, trying to hide the weight on his heart. "It was great having you here."

The three friends looked at him, their faces marked with emotion.

— "It was awesome, Vic," Andréa said, gently patting his shoulder. "We should do this more often."

— "I promise," Victoire whispered, but a shadow crossed his eyes. "See you soon."

Daniella gave him a hug, followed by Ryder and Andréa. Every gesture, every word felt like it cemented the idea that things were about to change.

The friends left the house in silence, their minds full of memories and dreams of the future. But Victoire, though smiling, knew that he carried an invisible burden—his parents' illness. A burden he didn't dare share with anyone.

When he closed the door behind them, he leaned against the wall, letting out a deep sigh. He had never wanted his friends to know about this reality. But tonight, he couldn't help but feel that things were about to change.

---

Meanwhile, Ryder drove slowly, lost in his thoughts. The drive home felt endless. The tension in the air was palpable. He kept thinking about what his father would say when he got home. What he had seen tonight at Victoire's house didn't fit with the way he saw his friends. And he knew his father, always strict and demanding, wouldn't let him hang out with Victoire.

When he finally arrived at home, he took a deep breath before getting out of the car. The air was cool, and the night felt heavier with each step. He climbed the steps to the front door and entered the house. The silence of the family home was oppressive.

— "You're late!" His father's voice rang out in the hallway, firm and accusatory.

Ryder froze for a moment. He knew that this remark was only the beginning of a long conversation he didn't want to have. He slowly made his way to the living room, where his father was waiting, arms crossed.

— "You know well that boy doesn't belong in your life," his father said coldly.

Ryder tried to keep his calm, but frustration was building up inside him. He didn't understand why his parents had such a strong dislike for Victoire. Why him? Why this judgment?

— "Victoire is a friend," Ryder replied with a tense voice, holding back his anger. "A friend I care about a lot."

— "A friend? That boy is just a poor guy," his father retorted, his voice full of contempt. "Do you want to be like him, Ryder? Is that your future?"

The words hit Ryder like blows. He felt his anger rise, but he forced himself to stay calm.

— "I don't want to be like him. But why does it bother you so much? He hasn't done anything wrong!"

Ryder's father stood up abruptly, locking eyes with his son.

— "Because he doesn't live the way we do. He doesn't have the same values. You deserve better than him. Friends like that will only bring you trouble."

Ryder, fists clenched, turned and rushed up the stairs without responding. He felt suffocated by the situation, unable to make his voice heard. Once in his room, he sat on the bed, his mind a whirl of confused thoughts. Why didn't his parents understand? Why did they insist on forcing their view of the world on him? He knew he had a choice, but he didn't want to lose his friendship with Victoire.

---

Meanwhile, Daniella and Andréa walked in silence. The evening had ended on a bittersweet note, and Daniella was struggling to hide her discomfort. Andréa noticed the change in her mood and decided to speak up.

— "Are you okay?" Andréa asked, turning toward Daniella, who seemed distant.

Daniella bit her lip, searching for the right words. She knew her parents didn't approve of her relationship with Victoire, but she had never had the courage to speak directly to them about it.

— "I don't know. I feel strange tonight."

Andréa stopped and looked at her with concern.

— "Why?"

— "It's Victoire..." Daniella lowered her eyes, nervous. "My parents don't like him. And I think it weighs on me more than I thought."

— "They don't like Victoire?" Andréa frowned, shocked. "But why?"

— "They say he's poor. That he doesn't fit into our world." Daniella shook her head, frustrated. "It's so... unfair."

Andréa nodded, but she wasn't surprised. She knew her friends' parents often held these kinds of prejudices. But it was hard to accept.

— "You shouldn't let them influence you. We know who he is, and he deserves to be our friend. It doesn't matter what others think."

Daniella looked up at Andréa, a small smile forming on her face.

— "You're right. But it doesn't make things easier, you know?"

Andréa shrugged.

— "It never will. But as long as we're together, we can get through it."

The two girls reached Daniella's house.

— "See you tomorrow?" Andréa suggested.

— "Yeah, of course."

Daniella entered her house, her heart heavy. As soon as she stepped inside, she heard her parents' voices coming from the dining room.

— "She's still hanging out with that boy, Victoire?" Daniella's mother didn't even try to hide her displeasure.

Daniella froze, listening in silence.

— "I don't understand why she associates with him. He doesn't belong in her life."

The words hit Daniella like a slap in the face. She clenched her fists before heading to her room. She sat on her bed, feeling exhausted. Why did her parents have such a hatred for Victoire? Why couldn't they accept that he was part of her life?

She thought of Victoire, his dreams. She knew he deserved more than what he was being given. She would protect him, even if it meant standing up to her own family.