Hello, Escapists. How are you doing today? Sadly, I have been rather upset lately.
I am 14 years old, and two months ago, from some elaborate miracle, a friendship at school developed into a relationship, in fact, my very first relationship. She was - or, is - an incredibly sweet, funny and downright beautiful girl who I am convinced I adore more than anything. My thoughts are not shared by my father, however.
You see, at first he was proud of me. I was no longer bound to a computer, I was leaving the house with her and her friends and actually enjoying my life, compared to countless hours of roleplaying on World of Warcraft that I did previously. He had met her several times, and seemed to like her.
Although, he started to express concerns after I returned home often past my curfew of 7, sometimes at 7:30, sometimes even later. Not on purpose, but due to the unorganized planning of a teenager ('Let's go this way, it's much faster!'). I often texted him my location and informed him that I'd be late, and I'd return home with the usual punishment, that being grounded from my computer for the rest of the evening. I didn't complain.
This began to persist, however. My dad began believing that maybe it is not I who is the reason for coming home late, but my girlfriend and her friends for dragging me around places I shouldn't be that are too far from home, or too dangerous. I am not a bad kid, y'see. I do not steal, nor do I drink nor smoke. My girlfriend does not do this, either, although her friends often attempt to peer-pressure her into doing so. I convince her not to.
One fateful evening, her, 2 of her friends are I decided to take yet another 'short-cut'. It was not my idea, and I was very much against it, but because I was new to that area I took her word for it. We ended up treading through an unknown field, scattered with sheep. That is when I realised that, once again, I'd be late. I texted this to my dad, and requested that he picks me up at her house to prevent further lateness. He agreed, and by 7:20 I made it to her house and was surely collected. That's when my dad said:
'You're not seeing that girl again.'
At first, I did not take him seriously. But that's when he began to take my computer away when he caught me Skyping her, and punishing me further if I spoke to her at school. He WAS, as I dreaded, being serious. I'd ask him why, but the only answer I'd receive is what you'd expect from any parent, such as 'It's for your own good', or 'I'm not enjoying this, either'.
For a week now, I have only seen my girlfriend at school, having to return straight home afterwards. She always seems upset, or merely void of emotion, anytime I see her, and her eyes always appear red and drooped, from what I assume is crying. We attempted asking anyone we could for help, ranging from teachers to parents, but so far none have offered any advice. We both feel so hopeless in this battle against my father.
He is a stubborn man, and he does NOT give in. The only way you can convince him, or change his opinion, is if he deems it as right. I have not seen him once in my life admit that he is wrong. I know what he is doing is because he fears for my safety, but he refuses to judge my girlfriend from anything other than what he's heard. He will not give her even the chance to speak to him, and nothing I do can convince him that she is not the 'horrible influence' that he is fooled into believing.
I do not want to lose her. I can't. Although I am young, and have not lived very long, I had never been happier in my life than when I was dating her. And so, in a desperate plea for help, I turn to you, Escapists.
I tell her everyday that things are going to be fine, and I will find a way to still see her, but I fear that I might be giving both of us false hope. I don't know what to do. I have not once disobeyed my father, and nor do I want to, but that might be what I have to resort to if he refuses to let me love. But I know that such would just lead to more shit.
People tell me I should 'Stand up to him!', but I'm unsure what that means. Yelling at him won't help a thing, and he is already aware that he is making my life misery. I can't speak to anyone about it, because he is just doing a parental duty. People say it isn't, but much to my loath, this IS within his rites. I can't take it.
Maybe you strangers on the internet can offer me aid, either in forms of motivation or advice. If you took the effort to read this far, thank you.
I am 14 years old, and two months ago, from some elaborate miracle, a friendship at school developed into a relationship, in fact, my very first relationship. She was - or, is - an incredibly sweet, funny and downright beautiful girl who I am convinced I adore more than anything. My thoughts are not shared by my father, however.
You see, at first he was proud of me. I was no longer bound to a computer, I was leaving the house with her and her friends and actually enjoying my life, compared to countless hours of roleplaying on World of Warcraft that I did previously. He had met her several times, and seemed to like her.
Although, he started to express concerns after I returned home often past my curfew of 7, sometimes at 7:30, sometimes even later. Not on purpose, but due to the unorganized planning of a teenager ('Let's go this way, it's much faster!'). I often texted him my location and informed him that I'd be late, and I'd return home with the usual punishment, that being grounded from my computer for the rest of the evening. I didn't complain.
This began to persist, however. My dad began believing that maybe it is not I who is the reason for coming home late, but my girlfriend and her friends for dragging me around places I shouldn't be that are too far from home, or too dangerous. I am not a bad kid, y'see. I do not steal, nor do I drink nor smoke. My girlfriend does not do this, either, although her friends often attempt to peer-pressure her into doing so. I convince her not to.
One fateful evening, her, 2 of her friends are I decided to take yet another 'short-cut'. It was not my idea, and I was very much against it, but because I was new to that area I took her word for it. We ended up treading through an unknown field, scattered with sheep. That is when I realised that, once again, I'd be late. I texted this to my dad, and requested that he picks me up at her house to prevent further lateness. He agreed, and by 7:20 I made it to her house and was surely collected. That's when my dad said:
'You're not seeing that girl again.'
At first, I did not take him seriously. But that's when he began to take my computer away when he caught me Skyping her, and punishing me further if I spoke to her at school. He WAS, as I dreaded, being serious. I'd ask him why, but the only answer I'd receive is what you'd expect from any parent, such as 'It's for your own good', or 'I'm not enjoying this, either'.
For a week now, I have only seen my girlfriend at school, having to return straight home afterwards. She always seems upset, or merely void of emotion, anytime I see her, and her eyes always appear red and drooped, from what I assume is crying. We attempted asking anyone we could for help, ranging from teachers to parents, but so far none have offered any advice. We both feel so hopeless in this battle against my father.
He is a stubborn man, and he does NOT give in. The only way you can convince him, or change his opinion, is if he deems it as right. I have not seen him once in my life admit that he is wrong. I know what he is doing is because he fears for my safety, but he refuses to judge my girlfriend from anything other than what he's heard. He will not give her even the chance to speak to him, and nothing I do can convince him that she is not the 'horrible influence' that he is fooled into believing.
I do not want to lose her. I can't. Although I am young, and have not lived very long, I had never been happier in my life than when I was dating her. And so, in a desperate plea for help, I turn to you, Escapists.
I tell her everyday that things are going to be fine, and I will find a way to still see her, but I fear that I might be giving both of us false hope. I don't know what to do. I have not once disobeyed my father, and nor do I want to, but that might be what I have to resort to if he refuses to let me love. But I know that such would just lead to more shit.
People tell me I should 'Stand up to him!', but I'm unsure what that means. Yelling at him won't help a thing, and he is already aware that he is making my life misery. I can't speak to anyone about it, because he is just doing a parental duty. People say it isn't, but much to my loath, this IS within his rites. I can't take it.
Maybe you strangers on the internet can offer me aid, either in forms of motivation or advice. If you took the effort to read this far, thank you.
