Addicted to You

"Would've, Could've, Should've"

😜⚠️WARNING: LITTLE MORE SMUT⚠️😜

"Leia, dear, we're so proud of you for getting accepted into UC Berkeley!" my mom says, beaming with pride.

I take a deep breath, knowing this conversation is long overdue. "Actually, Mom, Dad...I've been thinking a lot about it, and I've decided not to go."

The room falls silent. My parents' faces drop, their eyes wide with disbelief.

"What do you mean?" my dad asks, his voice laced with confusion. "You've worked so hard for this. You've always dreamed of attending Berkeley. What changed your mind?"

I hesitate, feeling a mix of emotions. "I know this is a great opportunity, but...I just feel like my heart is here, in this town. I want to be with Timothée, and I want to build a life here."

My parents exchange a disappointed glance. "Leia, we thought you were excited about this chance to spread your wings," my mom says, her voice tinged with sadness. "Are you really willing to give up this opportunity for a boy?"

I nod, feeling a sense of conviction. "I know it seems crazy, but...I feel like this is what I'm meant to do. I want to be with Timothée, and I want to make a life here."

The table falls silent again, my parents' eyes filled with concern and disappointment. They know I'm making a choice, and they're not sure it's the right one. But they also know they can't force me to follow my original path. All they can do is be there for me, no matter what.

"Leia, we thought we raised you to be a strong, independent woman," my dad says, his voice laced with disappointment. "But now it seems like you're throwing away your future for a boy."

I feel a surge of defensiveness. "That's not fair, Dad. I'm not throwing away my future. I'm just choosing a different path."

"A different path?" my dad repeats, his skepticism evident. "Leia, you've always been destined for great things. 9 months ago, you wanted to go to UC for literature, and you wanted to be a writer. You're smart, talented, and capable. And now you're just going to give all that up for a relationship?"

I sigh, feeling frustrated. "Dad, you don't understand. Timothée is not just any boy. He's the love of my life. And I know that we can build a life together that's just as fulfilling as any career."

My dad shakes his head, his expression unyielding. "I thought I knew you, Leia. But now I'm not so sure. You're making a mistake, sweetie. A big one."

I feel a lump form in my throat, hurt by my dad's words. But I know that I can't let his disapproval sway me.

The rest of dinner is eaten in silence, the tension between us palpable. My mom tries to break the silence with small talk, but it falls flat. My dad's disappointment and disapproval hang in the air like a cloud, casting a shadow over our meal.

I push my food around my plate, my appetite gone. Timothée's face flashes in my mind, and I know that I'm making the right choice for us, no matter how hard it is for my parents to understand.

As we finish dinner and begin to clear the table, my mom tries to reach out to me. "Leia, sweetie, we just want what's best for you," she says, her voice soft.

But I just nod, feeling a mix of emotions.

~

As I walk through the school hallways, I feel a sense of confidence and happiness. I was back on cloud 9. I've forgotten about Aurora, because Timothée has changed and he did it for me.

Timothée meets me at my locker, a bright smile on his face. He wraps his arms around me and pulls me in for a sweet kiss.

"Hey, beautiful," he whispers, his eyes shining with adoration.