~*~ Harry ~*~
As expected, Harry’s dad calls him the next morning. He debates on taking the call and getting it over with, but in the end, Harry sends the call to voicemail and snuggles under his blanket, blocking out reality. His phone rings over and over again all day. Finally, when Niall gets back from class, Harry relents and answers, flipping on the speakerphone.
“Hi, Dad,” Harry greets with a sigh.
“Where have you been?” he demands. “Don’t lie to me and say you have been in class. I received an email this morning informing me that you have dropped all of your courses this term and that your tuition for next year has been refunded.”
“Yes. That’s right,” Harry confirms, pushing as much confidence as he can muster into his voice. Well, it’s fake confidence, but his dad doesn’t need to know that.
Niall squeezes Harry’s knee supportively from where he sits next to him on the bed. A soft smile flashes over his face before his dad speaks again, wiping it quickly away. To say that Harry’s dad is angry would putting it lightly. Very lightly. “Who told you that you could do that? I will be calling the school tomorrow, and you will be going back to your classes.”
Harry closes his eyes as his confidence wanes. “I will be starting classes again next term,” he says firmly.
“How exactly do you plan to do that with no job and no money?” his dad sneers through the phone.
“I’ll figure it out.”
“Like hell you will. Be prepared. You will do as I say,” his dad threatens.
Pulling on the small vestige of courage he has, Harry replies, “No, Dad. I won’t. I’m changing my major to music and art.”
“You will continue with law and business as planned. I am not paying for that artsy fartsy gay shit.”
Aggravation fills Harry at the slight against his new course. “I’m not asking you to.”
His dad scoffs, quickly reminding Harry, “You can’t touch your trust fund until you graduate.”
“I know. I’m not asking to,” Harry retorts, unable to contain the insolence beginning to seep into his words. “Did I say anything about wanting to access it?”
Harry’s dad barks a harsh laugh. “You think it’s going to be so easy, don’t you? Just wait because when you fail, I won’t bail you out.”
“Why would you start now?” Harry taunts, pushing his father further.
He knows he has hit his mark when his dad’s voice drops. “You best watch yourself, little boy. I own you.”
“I’m an adult. No one owns me.”
“Have you forgotten? Do I need to spell it out for you?” his dad challenges.
Harry tenses, and Niall grabs his hand, providing much needed support. “No.”
Harry can hear the smug tone in his dad’s words, knowing he’s won at least this for now. “What’s that, boy? No, what?”
