Color Me.

Conditions and Decisions.

(A/N: This is probably going to be a really short filler chapter, I apologize in advance!)

I drive home to find both of my parents incredibly expensive cars parked in the driveway. I roll my eyes and a smirk plasters over my face. I walk in and find my parents sitting on the couch, talking about who knows what.

"Daniel! So happy you're home! Are you hungry? Where have you been?" My mom showers me with questions.
"I'm home like everyday, I already ate, Stella threw a small grad party for me at the coffee shop." My mom's face fell a bit, she hates the coffee shop. She doesn't approve the fact that I have a job when I could just ask her for money. My parents are Co-CEO's of several large companies that I could care less for, so we are incredibly rich but I don't care for it honestly.

"That's awfully nice of Stella. Hey listen we need to talk."
"Okay. Go ahead. Shoot."
"Well you're going off to college soon, and far from here I might add, so we want to talk about helping you-"
"Before you even say anything else I'd like to make sure you're clear on these certain things. One: I will not nor will I ever sell Lucy. She was hard enough to get as it is and frankly all the other cars we have are terrible. Two: I already know you want to pay for college which is fine. If! And only if you follow some conditions I have."

"Alright fine what are they," my dad says clearly annoyed that I, his only son won't accept his money. I never liked the fact that they were always trying to shove money down my throat. I know that they were only trying to provide for me which I always was grateful for as a child, but now that I'm going to be out on my own I wanted to be able to do things myself. That's why when I turned 16, I decided that I would work for everything myself. That's how I found Stella and the shop. That's how I bought my own car, bought my own phone and paid the bills, it's how I paid for most of my things. The only thing I have ever let my parents pay for is my clothes and some of my needs for school. I don't need their money, if they ever did give me money I'd usually donate it to a charity or save it for college.

"When I come back I want you guys to spend more time with me. For fucks sake you weren't even there to hear my graduation speech! And I included you two in it! Telling the entire senior class the biggest lie I've ever told."

"And what lie is that exactly?"

"That you've been there every step of the way and have provided to me accordingly."

"How is that a lie?"

"The fact that you even have to ask. Well if you must know, you have never and I mean not once come to any of my competitions. We don't have family vacations anymore. You are never home. I've had to spend the past three Christmases alone or intruding at someone else's house. All I want is to spend time with you. It doesn't even have to be anywhere fancy. I just want phones off, away from business life, and quality time."

My parents were at a loss for words. They looked shocked, hurt even. I payed no attention and began my second condition.

"Secondly, if you want me to let you pay for my college education, I want you to start a fund for the shop."

"Daniel, you know we can't fund smaller companies it's not good for ours! You want us to spend time with you? Name a time and place and it can be arranged but we just can't start a fund for the shop," my dad said with a hint of agitation in his voice.

"If not for the shop then for Stella and Kayla. They need all the help they can get right now," I say with a slightly agressive tone.

"Why are you so hung up over giving them money? The Simple Bean is the most popular shop in town. Stella should be making enough money," my mother says despisingly.

"Well she isn't! And seriously I owe Stella so much. She's helped me through so much shit that you two could never begin to have an understanding for," I say loud and angrily.

"Is this the only way you'll let us pay for college?" I nod curtly and say nothing else. I assume that the conversation is over and neither of us have anything left to say. I walk up to my room and finish packing for my Oregon trip. My phone is ringing and I wonder who could be calling me at this time.

"DANIEL ERIC LAKEMAN! I AM SO INFURIATED WITH YOU! YOU LIL SHIT!"

I chuckle and say, "It's nice to hear from you as well Aunt Rosaline, how are you?"

"Daniel! I told you not to call me your aunt, it makes me feel old."

"You say that as if you look a day over 21. So did you need something from dad?"

"Flattery gets you nowhere child but thank you. Oh no! I don't need anything from my brother. Well except for Lisa to leave and a trip to Paris!" I laugh at how blunt my aunt can be. She dislikes my mom and isn't afraid to voice it either.

"Well the trip to Paris can be arranged, but I'm not so sure about mom leaving."

"I was kidding. Kind of. No I was kidding. Not. Anyways I was calling to make sure you're still driving up tomorrow?"

"Of course I am! I wouldn't miss it for the world!"

"Great! There's a new cafe that opened up here, we can have a late lunch there."

"That sounds great Aunt Rosaline."

"Daniel! Anyways get some rest you have a long drive ahead of you tomorrow."

"Alright! Goodnight!"