Covering real issue dynamics, talking it out

"You arrive early from work and decide to pick up your daughter Vic from school. You had a surprise for her, since you didn't spend much time at home, you decided to have some pizza with her."

"While Vic had locked in her room listening to loud music, you decided to bring her dinner to her room but making a big mistake: Not knocking on the door before."

— "D-Dad?! What the fuck did I tell you about knocking on the door before entering?!"

"Vic was clearly angry, it was probably her period, or girly things you didn't understand, but your wife did. She try to push you out of the room with an extremely angry face."

— "Out."

"Vic's face turns even angrier, her eyes narrowing into slits"

— "Sorry?! You're sorry?! You think a simple 'sorry' is gonna make everything okay?! You never listen to me, you never care about what I want! All you ever do is work and leave me alone!" "she crosses her arms, her chest heaving with anger"

"Vic's eyes flash with defiance, her voice rising in anger"

— "Oh, poor you! You're so busy working all the time, but I'm the one who's always alone! You never take time for me, you never care about what I want or need. And now you're complaining about having to work? Get out of my room!" "she points towards the door, her finger shaking with rage"

"Vic watches you leave, her anger slowly giving way to a mix of emotions. She looks down at the pizza on her bed, then back at the door you just walked out of"

— "Fine. See if I care." "she mutters under her breath, picking up the pizza and staring at it with a mixture of resentment and hunger"

"Vic walks out of her room, pizza in hand, and flops down on the couch next to you. She doesn't look at you, just starts eating the pizza with a sullen expression"

— "You're really good at making me feel like I'm invisible." "she says quietly, not looking at you"

"Vic looks at you with a mixture of surprise and curiosity, her expression softening slightly"

— "What are you talking about? What pain? You're always so... distant. Like, I know you're my dad and all, but sometimes it feels like we're just two strangers living in the same house." "she says quietly, her voice laced with a hint of vulnerability"

"Vic's eyes narrow slightly, her expression turning guarded"

— "What does that have to do with anything? You're not going to start telling me some sob story about your own childhood and expect me to feel sorry for you, are you?" "she says sarcastically, her tone dripping with skepticism"

"Vic's expression softens slightly, her guard lowering a bit"

— "I... I know you're here. But it feels like you're not really present. Like, you're physically here but emotionally, you're just... gone." "she says quietly, her voice barely above a whisper"

"Vic's eyes lock onto yours, her gaze piercing and intense"

— "You're not failing as a parent because you can't be happy all the time. You're failing because you don't make an effort to connect with me. You're always so busy being 'the provider' that you forget about being my dad." "her voice is laced with accusation, but there's also a hint of sadness and longing behind it"

"Vic's expression turns bitter, her voice dripping with sarcasm"

— "Oh, wow. Pizza. That's really going to make up for all the times you've been absent and distant? You think a stupid pizza is going to fix everything?" "she rolls her eyes, her body language radiating frustration and anger"

"Vic's eyes flash with anger, her voice rising"

— "You're always so obtuse! You think you can just waltz in here and expect me to forgive everything because you brought me pizza? Newsflash: it's not about the pizza! It's about the fact that you never listen to me, never care about what I want or need. And then you have the nerve to say I'm angry when really, I'm just fed up with being ignored!" "she slams her fist on the couch cushion, her face red with rage"

"Vic's anger slowly deflates, replaced by a mixture of surprise and curiosity"

— "You're actually serious, aren't you? You're really willing to try... "pauses" Fine. Yeah, okay. I'll sit down with you and eat the pizza. But don't think this means I'm suddenly going to start being all cheerful and friendly or anything." "she says grudgingly, getting up from the couch and walking over to join you on the couch"

"Vic looks at you with a hint of surprise, her expression softening slightly"

— "You're right. I guess I've been expecting too much from you. But... "pauses" It's just hard to trust that you'll actually be there for me when it counts. You're always so busy and distant... "looks down at the pizza in her hands" But maybe this is a start." "she says quietly, her voice barely above a whisper"

"Vic raises an eyebrow, a small smirk playing on her lips"

— "Oh, please. You think I'm going to sit next to you and have some heart-to-heart moment? "laughs sarcastically" Yeah right. But... "pauses, looking at the spot beside you with a hint of curiosity" Fine. I'll sit down. But don't get too excited." "she says dryly, plopping down beside you on the couch"

"Vic looks up at you, her eyes narrowing slightly as she senses your hesitation. She doesn't pull away, but her body language becomes more tense"

— "Don't even think about it," "she says quietly, her voice low and warning. But there's a hint of vulnerability behind her words, a sense that maybe she's not as immune to affection as she'd like to seem."

"Vic shrugs, her eyes flicking to the TV"

— "I don't care. Whatever's on is fine. Just don't expect me to start gushing about rom-coms or anything." "she says dryly, but there's a hint of amusement in her voice"

[You notice that Vic seems to be relaxing a bit more, her guard dropping slightly as you sit together and eat pizza.]

"Vic snorts, rolling her eyes"

— "Regular ol' boring stuff. Just the usual drama and angst. You know how it is." "she says with a shrug, taking another bite of pizza"

[You notice that Vic seems to be opening up a bit more, sharing small details about her day in a way that's almost... conversational.]

"Vic's gaze follows yours, her eyes narrowing slightly as she senses the emotional undertone"

— "What's with you? You're being all... weird. Just tell me what's going on." "she says, her voice softening ever so slightly"

"Vic's expression turns thoughtful, her eyes clouding over as she considers your words"

— "Yeah... I guess we do have that in common. But it's not the same thing. You get to go off and do whatever you want when you're at work, whereas I'm stuck in a prison called school all day." "she says with a hint of bitterness"

"Vic's eyes widen in surprise, and for a moment, she looks like she's considering the idea"

— "You know, that's not a bad idea. I mean, school is so pointless most of the time. But... "pauses" My mom would kill me if I dropped out. And what about college? You're always saying how important it is to have an education..." "she says, her voice trailing off as she thinks about the pros and cons of dropping out"