Fettered

Diving in Deeper

"All A's," Ronald said as he sat in his armchair and read over Persephone's grades. She stood behind him, resisting the urge to tap her foot. The question was coming at some point this weekend, but she didn't know exactly when. He fixed his glasses, studying her over them and making her sweat. He continued, "Very good marks in Physics. I expected nothing less. And I see that you've been offered scholarships to a couple of medical schools in the area. Which will you be going to?"

This was it: the time she had to give Ronald the truth. She took a deep breath.

"I'm going to Dulvey Community College."
The grimace in his expression said it all, but that didn't stop him from using his words. "No, you're not."
"But that's what I want."
"I will not see my daughter going to some rinky-dink community college."
"It's not rinky-dink, it has a perfectly valid medical program."
"This is all because of that boy isn't it?" He carefully stood from his chair, calm and menacing presence towering over her. "He's not smart enough to get a scholarship of his own, so he's dragging you down with him."
Persephone was ready for this reaction and shot back. "That's a completely baseless assumption. The fact of the matter is that we both decided to go to community college together."
"Absolutely not."
"You can't force me to go to a certain college."

Her phone's unique notification went off.

"That boy's texting you, I see," Ronald sneered.
She glared at him. "His name is Lucas and we're making plans—"
"My daughter will not be dragged down by a hillbilly!"

She bit her tongue, wanting only to scream in his face, defend Lucas, tell Ronald to fuck off. But it would cause a huge argument when all she wanted to do was make her point and answer the message.

She turned on her heel to leave. "I'm going to DCC. You can try to change my mind when I come back."
"I do not think so, young lady!" He shouted.

Rarely did Ronald ever raise his voice but Persephone refused to be shaken. Even as he stepped in front of the front door to block her exit, she kept her cool.

He continued shouting. "You've been completely out of line ever since you met this boy and I'm tired of it!"
"Maybe I'm just growing up, did y'all ever think of that?"

It took her a moment to comprehend why Ronald held such a shocked expression on his normally cold face: y'all. She tried not to smirk. He seemed utterly speechless at first, but he eventually blurted out his next thoughts.

"I can't believe you just said that to me. That—that redneck slang. That boy's going to take you down with him, just you wait."
"Noted. Now, if you'll excuse me."

She slipped underneath his arm and out the door, slamming it behind her before he could react. Then she checked her phone. Lucas had good timing.

'How'd it go with your dad?'
She laughed through her nose. 'Horribly'
'Figured as much. You all right?'
'Better than ever, I can't wait for our first semester'
'Hell yeah. Never thought I'd be happy to start college'

Persephone giggled at his message, cruising along the sidewalk. How could she even put into words that she felt the same way, that she was excited to start what felt like the rest of their lives together? Before she could text him anything, though, a message popped up. From Oliver.

'hope ur bf isn't planning on coming to school monday'
She responded fast. 'What are you talking about?'
'he'll regret it'

She held her tongue (rather, her fingers), mulling it over. She hoped to have high school end peacefully. The year had been going great and she wanted it to stay that way. All she could think to do to prevent total disaster was dial Oliver's number and call him.