Robert tries to advise his daughter

Heather followed her dad inside the big vehicle, stepping into a nice, lavish living area. She plopped down on a couch as Robert sat down on a stuffed chair and stared at his silent daughter with his undivided attention.

She didn’t look like she was going to volunteer any kind of information if he didn’t ask, so Robert propped up on his seat. “Heather, will you tell me what’s bothering you?” He asked gently. “I can’t help you otherwise.”

The cheerleader captain sighed before looking up into her father’s blue eyes. For the next several minutes, she proceeded to tell him all about her week, starting with the unexpected bond she shared with Zack since day one and ending with the air of awkwardness between them on the way back from the lookout point. Of course, she omitted any explicit detail for her father’s sake.

“And that’s it, dad, no matter what I do, it’s not enough,” Heather whined. “Zack refuses to get Victoria out of his head!”

“Hmm,” Robert hummed, a thoughtful look on his face. “I see.”

Heather rolled up her eyes, annoyed. “Dad, please tell me what to do!” She pleaded. “I concocted that plan to bring them together, but I realized I don’t really want that!”

Robert sighed. “You’re sure you want my opinion, kid?” He asked softly. “You’re not going to like it.”

At his daughter frantic nodding, Robert reached to her knee and squeezed it affectionately, staring into her eyes, which were identical to his own pair. “Let go, Heather.”

Heather’s eyes widened in disbelief, and then an expression of anger took over her features. “What do you mean, let go?!” She asked, her voice raising a few volumes. “I can’t just do that!”

“Heather, you’ve turned into an amazing, strong-willed woman, and I’m proud of you for that,” Robert said, making a pause to let the message sink. “But sometimes, we have to acknowledge when it’s time to stop, when we are hurting ourselves and the people around us.”

“But no one’s getting hurt!” The blue-eyed brunette argued.

“Yet. I don’t want to ever see you hurt, kid, but you’ll only hurt yourself if you keep chasing after the Bishop kid,” Robert said, looking down at his distressed daughter. “And from what you told me, Zachary will also get hurt it you continue to keep him from going after the girl he loves.”

“Pffft, love? It’s just a damn crush!” Heather roared.

“Still, it isn’t our place to tell, sweetie,” Robert retorted. “Heather, I want to see you with a nice, young man who loves you, not someone who is just spending time with you while waiting for another girl.”

Heather jumped to her feet and pointed a shaky finger at her father. “I’m not one to ever give up on what I want!” She exclaimed. “I thought you, of all people, would understand that.”

Robert got up as well. “Heather, listen to…”

“Don’t bother!” The cheerleader captain interrupted him, turning on her feet and marching over to the motorhome’s door. “Thanks for nothing!”

That said, she opened the door and slammed it close, leaving behind a very distressed and worried Robert.