CHAPTER THREE

I stepped inside my scoop. Mom was waiting for me at the table. I sat on the end, across from our link screen.

Dad's image was there, clear as day. He seemed troubled. I'm sure I did, too.

People say we look a lot alike, except my hair is lighter, kinda like my mom's blond color. I wish we didn't look so similar. Maybe then people would stop expecting me to be just like him...

"Son, I love you. You know that. But I've got to talk to you about these scores. A 73 in xenobiology? You know you're smarter than that, Tom..."

I sighed. "Dad, I'm doing my best, okay? I just have a lot on my mind, and..."

"I know, Tom. But it'd be different if your military scores were better, at least. I had to bend over backwards to get you an Andalite teacher, and you still failed your Shredder accuracy exams..."

I couldn't take this anymore. He was always getting onto me...

"Look, Dad. Maybe I'm just not cut out to be King Yeerk Killer like you, okay?"

I shouldn't have said that. I knew I shouldn't. It hurt his feelings. More than he would show. I just... Why did he have to put so much pressure on me?

"Son, I don't want you to join the military to be like me. The last thing I want is for you to be like me. I just want you to be prepared. Whether we like it or not, the Yeerks are out there. And they could attack at any moment. I want you to be safe. I want you to be prepared, to be able to protect your mother in case.. In case I'm not there..."

"Yeah. Well, my guess is you won't be here if they attack, Dad."

He sighed. "I'll be home as soon as I can. Things are just taking longer than we planned. I..."

Suddenly, I heard a voice in the background.

"Jake? You talking to the little man?"

Dad sighed and rubbed his forehead. "Yes, Marco... I'm trying to..."

The voice cut him off. "Lemme talk to him!"

Marco rolled his chair up beside my dad. Then, he positioned the Stream on his face.

"Hey, Tommy Boy! How's it hangin?"

I laughed. Marco definitely knew how to lighten the mood.

"Pretty good, Marco."

"Hey, don't worry about your old man. He's just stressed out with being a fearless leader and all. You know how it is."

"Yeah..."

"Look, whether your dad likes it or not, I'm gonna make him take our tired butts back to the ERC soon. It's been too long since I've had your mom's cooking."

Mom laughed. "We've got the fridge waiting for you, Marco."

"Is Tobias there?" I asked.

"Yeah. He's asleep though, I think..." Marco answered, looking around.

"Alright, this is my time. You can visit my family when we get back, Marco." Dad said, adjusting the Stream back on his face.

"Man, just make sure my seat's reserved at the table," I heard Marco say as he walked off.

Dad shook his head and turned his attention back on us.

"I'll be home soon. I promise."

"I hope so, honey," Mom said.

He smiled. "Tom. I know you're trying your best. Just don't let things get you... Forget about everyone else's expectations. You don't have to be some prince one day. You think I wanted to be in this position when I was your age? No. I tried to pretend the war wasn't real. But it is. I just want you to be you, and stay that way. I'm just afraid the Yeerks will take that right away from you if you're not ready..."

"Dad, the Yeerks are a million miles away trying to take over some other poor planet. You should know that."

He smirked. A light flickered in his eye. "Yeah... You two take care, alright? I love you both."

The link screen went blue.

I wish I would have said more. I wish I would have been nicer to my dad.

Because that could've been the last chance I'd ever get.