Forever, After

Chapter 4: Breaking Barriers Section 1: External Pressures

Section 1: External Pressures

Nathan leaned back in the stiff leather chair of his father’s study, the weight of expectation pressing down on him like the room’s dark mahogany shelves. His father, Judge Richard Cross, sat across the desk, flipping through a file with meticulous precision. The silence stretched, punctuated only by the faint ticking of a clock on the wall.

“I hope you’re making the most of your time this semester,” his father finally said, setting the file down and fixing Nathan with a scrutinizing gaze.

Nathan straightened instinctively. “Yes, sir. The project I’m working on is going well.”

His father nodded, but there was no warmth in the gesture. “That’s good, but don’t lose sight of what’s important. Law school is just around the corner. Building your network now will make things easier later. Have you been attending the alumni mixers?”

Nathan hesitated. He had skipped the last one to work on the project with Emma, and though he didn’t regret the decision, he knew his father wouldn’t approve. “I’ve been balancing things,” he said carefully.

Richard’s eyes narrowed. “Balancing isn’t enough, Nathan. If you want to stand out, you need to prioritize. This project you mentioned—it’s fine as a learning experience, but it won’t matter if it distracts you from the bigger picture.”

Nathan felt his chest tighten. “I understand,” he replied, his voice clipped.

“Good,” Richard said, leaning back in his chair. “There’s another mixer next week. Be there. And come prepared to make an impression.”

Nathan nodded mechanically, but his mind was elsewhere. As he left the study, the conversation echoed in his head, each word a reminder of the tightrope he constantly walked between fulfilling his father’s expectations and carving out a path of his own.

Meanwhile, across the city, Emma sat cross-legged on her bed, her phone balanced on her shoulder as she sifted through a pile of photos. Her mother’s voice crackled through the speaker, sharp and direct as always.

“Emma, I don’t understand why you’re putting so much energy into this project,” her mother said. “It’s not going to pay the bills.”

Emma clenched her jaw but kept her tone light. “Mom, it’s not just about money. It’s about building a portfolio, making connections, and doing something that actually matters.”

Her mother sighed, the sound heavy with disapproval. “That’s all well and good, but have you thought about what comes next? Photography is unpredictable at best. You could be making a steady income by now if you’d just consider a more stable career.”

Emma set down the photo she’d been holding, her patience fraying. “I’ve thought about it, Mom. And this is what I want to do. I’m good at it.”

“Good isn’t enough, Emma,” her mother replied, her tone softening slightly but still firm. “You need to be realistic. Passion doesn’t pay rent.”

Emma swallowed hard, her frustration bubbling beneath the surface. “I know what I’m doing, Mom. I’ve got this.”

“I just want what’s best for you,” her mother said, but the conversation had already drained Emma’s energy.

“I know,” Emma said quietly, ending the call soon after.

She stared at her phone for a long moment before tossing it onto the bed. The photos scattered around her suddenly felt overwhelming, their vibrant colors and intricate stories a stark contrast to the doubt creeping into her mind.

Later that evening, Nathan and Emma found themselves back at the library, but the atmosphere between them was different. Nathan’s usual composure seemed strained, and Emma’s typically bright energy was subdued.

“You okay?” Emma asked, glancing at him as she organized a stack of notes.

Nathan hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah. Just a long day.”

Emma didn’t press him, but she could tell something was off. She turned back to her photos, her mind still replaying her mother’s words.

After a few minutes of silence, Nathan spoke. “What about you? You seem… distracted.”

Emma shrugged, her tone more clipped than she intended. “I’m fine. Just… family stuff.”

Nathan nodded, recognizing the deflection but not pushing further. He wasn’t sure he was in the right headspace to handle anyone else’s problems when his own felt so suffocating.

As the night wore on, the unspoken tension between them grew. Small moments—Nathan’s sharp replies, Emma’s uncharacteristic quiet—hinted at the weight they were both carrying.

Finally, Emma set down her camera and crossed her arms. “Okay, what’s going on with you? You’ve been on edge all night.”

Nathan looked up, his jaw tightening. “It’s nothing. Just my father reminding me of all the ways I’m not living up to his expectations.”

Emma’s expression softened, but she couldn’t suppress the bitterness in her voice. “Sounds familiar. My mom thinks this project is a waste of time. Apparently, passion doesn’t pay rent.”

Nathan let out a humorless laugh. “And structure doesn’t make you happy.”

Their eyes met, and for a moment, the shared frustration and pressure between them felt almost tangible.

“You ever feel like you’re being pulled in two directions?” Emma asked, her voice quieter now.

Nathan nodded. “All the time.”

They sat in silence for a while, the weight of their shared struggles filling the space between them. It wasn’t a solution, but it was a start—a moment of understanding in the midst of their individual battles.