The weekend after the Big Game was here. Being trapped in the Pembrooke, I developed a list of things to do. Today in particular though was my 18th birthday. That was both very good and bad. It meant I could leave but it also meant my father would be livid.
"Veronica go get your sister."
"There's no need for that." I was already up, "Morning."
"Good morning, mija. Come sit by me. After breakfast we have papers to fill out. You are aware today is your birthday, yes?"
"Yes. What papers?" I regretted the question as soon as it came out. After he pulled the envelope from his coat pocket, I peeled it open warily. What I saw made me want to die.
"You're joking, right? Disability? Guardianship until I'm 25? Please Tell me you're not being serious."
"You don't like it?"
"Like it? Are you really that cruel, Daddy, to where you'd write a letter to Governor Dooley about how I'm incapable of providing for myself because of PTSD you caused?" Silence, "Congratulations. You win. You've officially ruined my life. All I asked for was one day and you couldn't even give me that."
"You need more time, mija."
"More time for you to use and abuse me? Was this past year not enough for you!?" I was screaming now. I didn't want this. I wanted to get the hell out of here. I had plans to go to New Haven with Jughead. I stood there, waiting for a response but he just sighed and said, "It's what's best for you, mija. As your father..."
"My father?" I exclaimed, "Bold choice of words for a man who left me for 14 years. If you want to keep hurting me, don't be surprised when I slit my wrists and drown myself in the bathtub."
"Mija, go..."
"To my room? Gladly."
"To the study, mija." He said.
"No." Veronica choked on her glass of water.
"I won't tell you again." He grabbed my arm, "Go."
I mumbled something incoherent and his mug of cafe con leche exploded all over the table. He didn't say a word, "What's wrong, Daddy? Cat got your tongue?"
"You're grounded." He said through gritted teeth, "You're still having your party in a few weeks, though, to keep up appearances. But you are grounded."
"Like that's stopped me before."
"You're not going to your room, princesa." Hiram said, "Go wait for me in the study like I said before."
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THE SOUTHSIDE TAPES (RIVERDALE 2)
FanficTHE SOUTHSIDE TAPES: Southside Starlet Book 2 Nicolette Woodhouse retreats to Stonewall Prep after a summer of loss, abuse, and betrayal. [RIVERDALE season 4-] Starring... the kids Zendaya as Nicolette "Starlet" Cooper-Lodge Cole Sprouse as Jughead...
