American Dream ✦ Maloley

XVI ♕

It was my second day in the hospital, and my father made sure my room was on lock down. He had a security guard stationed outside of my door making sure none of the boys could get in. Surprisingly he let Mia in, and she was in complete disbelief when I told her what my father had done. I was on so many medications that I didn't feel a thing, in fact all I wanted to do was leave. I felt suffocated by all of the flowers my parents had sent. Nate kept trying to call me but my father prohibited it, and eventually took my phone. He had no right - he didn't own my cell phone, just like he didn't own me. I was nineteen years old, an adult, old enough to make my own decisions. He was protective in a suffocating, possessive way.

"So he is refusing to let Nate come see you? Nate...your boyfriend? What?" Mia asked in total disbelief. I nodded my head and frowned, leaning my head back on the pillow behind my head and staring up at the panelled ceiling. "That's just a load of bullshit," she said sounding completely agitated. It made me laugh lightly, but I agreed with her in every way. "I mean it's not like it is his fault. He treats you so well, and your dad just treats him like he's the dirt on his shoes."

"Trust me, I know," I frowned.

"Here," she held out her phone and urged me to take it. "Call him, tell him you're okay. They can't take my phone," she shrugged and I smiled before thanking her. Quickly I dialed Nate's number that I had memorized by heart. It took a few rings before his groggy voice answered, it sounded as if he had been asleep and it was going on one in the afternoon.

"Hey, Mia is everything alright with Phil?" He asked already assuming it was Mia since it was her phone.

"It's me," I said tracing the intricate patterns on the blanket sprawled out in front of me.

"Baby?" He asked sounding surprised. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," I giggled softly. "My dad took my phone, this will all blow over soon...I hope so at least. I miss you."

"I miss you so much, baby girl," he sighed. "It's only been one night without you here but it doesn't feel right. I need to be there with you."

"I wish you were," I sighed. "When they release me I'm coming home to you. My dad can throw a fit all he wants, he doesn't control me anymore. I'm going to come back to our home. Fuck what he thinks."

"I have a surprise for you when you come home."

"Is that so?" I grinned.

"Yes," I could practically see him nodding his head with a goofy grin on his lips. "You'll love it."

"I'll look forward to that then," I smiled and saw my father outside of the door. I grew nervous, but then I brushed it off. Nate was my boyfriend, and I had the right to talk to him whenever I pleased despite what my dad said. I wasn't a little girl anymore, it was about time I stood my ground. "Come to the hospital. Bring all of the guys, Shawn, Nash, anyone you can get."

"We can't get in, baby," I heard him sigh.

"Shawn's father is the mayor," I said struggling to sit up. Mia helped me and I thanked her. "Get hold of Nash, Gilinsky has it in the files. Call him, have him meet you with Shawn. Get the other guys down here too. I'm sick of this already, and I need to show my father that he can't control me anymore."

"You're going to get me into so much shit, babe. Lucky I love you, huh?"

"Just shut up and get here," I laughed. I hung up the phone and handed it back to Mia and braced myself for when my dad walked in the door. "Oh, did you tell Dex about me being in the hospital?"

"Yeah, he said he would love to get together next week when he stops in for a shoot. If that was okay with you?" Mia asked reading the text conversation between her and Dex. I nodded and smiled, and the door opened and my dad walked in with his stethoscope around his neck, and his lab coat. "Hello, Mr. Eaton."