Binding Leah

Chapter One: School

Rylan's POV:

"She's sick?" I question skeptically. I don't doubt that Leah is complaining about feeling sick. This is the second time she has been in the nurse's office today. "Can you please put her on the phone? Thank you."

The nurse hands over the phone to Leah. "Hello, Master..." I run my hand over my face, remaining silent for a moment.

"Leah..."

"I don't feel good..."

"Leah..."

"Please take me home..." she begs quietly.

"No, Leah. I am not going to keep playing this game with you. You have been at school for three hours. It's not even lunch—"

"I don't feel good, Master."
"Leah! You have told me that every day since school started and the second I pick you up from school, you're fine! I'm not picking you up. Go back to class."

"Master..."

"No, Leah. Go back to class now." Leah remains silent. "Leah, if I come down there one more time to take you home because you say you're sick and you're not actually sick, I'm going to blister your behind. I have to work—"

"I can sit with you at work, Master. I'll be a good girl—"

"Leah... I'm growing tired of this conversation. I need you to go back to class. I can't sit on the phone and talk to you all day. I can't come pick you up because you claim you're sick. I just can't. I have work. Do you like eating?"

"...Yes, Master."

"Then you have to let me work. I have to work to put food on our table and keep a roof over our heads." I run my hand over my face, frustrated and tired of her disruptions.

I know she doesn't like school, but that doesn't mean she can fake being sick just so I take her home every day.

"I wouldn't interrupt you if you took me with you..." I close my eyes for a moment, composing myself as I hear the tears in her voice.

"Pet... I know this is really hard for you. I know you don't have any friends at school and your classes are really confusing, but I need you to stick this through and be strong for me. You're only on the second week of school, Love."

Leah sniffles through the phone, starting to cry. "Yes, Master."

"...I love you, Pet."

"I love you too, Master. I miss you," Leah starts to sob. I rub between my brow, guilt filling me. I shouldn't have spoken to her so harshly earlier, she is just having a really hard time.

She didn't test anywhere close to the high school math or English classes she is in. I know she is utterly lost and that adds to her abhorrence for school.

I just want her to spend time with kids her age though. I don't care if she doesn't understand her classes. I just need her to have something of a social life.

"I miss you too, Pet... Go back to class, okay? You have lunch soon, right?" She sniffles and hums. "Okay... well I'll come have lunch with you. How is that?"

"That sounds good," she whimpers.

My poor pet.

"Okay. Go back to class, Pet. I'll see you soon." She hangs up and I sigh, putting my head in my hands.