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“So what!” I explode, descending another step. “Who cares so much that you got a side eye for five whole minutes? There are more important things than reputation!”
“Reputation is everything,” she argues, gesturing between me and Holden. “One child can’t maintain his college acceptance and ends up in a public community college, and the other is a goddamn wild child I can’t control no matter how many rules I have to lay down for you to become a proper example.”
“I actually like my classes,” Holden mutters, expression clouding. “I’m…glad I lost the football draft to Ohio State.”
I could hug my brother right now. This is the first time he’s stood up to their tyrant rule over us, too. I think we’re both done with the bullshit. The anger is expanding in my chest, climbing my throat. I won’t swallow it back or let this go. I’m eighteen and I’ve done every single thing they’ve ever wanted—studied hard, gotten the grades they demanded, and put myself in the boxes they wanted.
“Oh, shut up, Holden,” Mom says haughtily.
My laugh is caustic and bitter. “God, Mom, do you even hear yourself? Who fucking cares!”
“Maisy,” Dad barks.
“No, Dad! Seriously, the world isn’t ending because I skipped out today. You guys are the ones acting crazy for thinking that.”
“We didn’t know where the hell you were or if someone had taken you,” he says angrily. “I looked all over.”
“You didn’t try to track my phone, like usual, warden?” I shout. “Shocker, it’s usually your go to.”
His expression darkens. “That was to protect you.”
“From what?” I rush the final steps and throw my hands out. If I get him worked up enough, maybe I can make him admit the things he’s done. “Where is the threat? If you can be honest with me about why we have such tight security and why you think it’s okay to track my whereabouts by my phone, I’d be willing to listen. But I can’t do this blindly anymore. You’re suffocating me.” The breath I take is sharp and painful. “I can’t be a doll anymore. I have my own feelings and thoughts.”
He opens his mouth, conflict flooding his gaze. He’s going to tell me something important.
“Every choice and sacrifice we’ve made for you has been to set you on the best path to have a good future,” Mom cuts in, exchanging an unreadable look with Dad.
Damn it.
I face her and am struck by how much I have bent myself into whatever shape she demanded. “If you really loved me, you’d let me pick what I wanted for myself. Everything you’ve forced on me I’ve hated. And none of it has ever been good enough to satisfy you, just makes you demand more and more of me. The grades, the clothes, then you forced Sam on me as another way to keep me under your thumb. Why are you so obsessed with him?”
“He’s a perfectly good match for you. He’s from a well-respected family on our level. We’re in talks with his parents and we all agree, you’ll date and after you both graduate from college we’ll talk about marriage plans.”
“You expect me to marry him? Hell no! I’m not having some arranged marriage. Dad, are you seriously going to let that happen?”
Dad can’t look me in the eye.
“Mom, come on. That’s too much,” Holden says warily. “You can’t make her to do that.”
“Maisy will do what I think is best,” Mom says.
“I can’t anymore. You can’t control every aspect of my life.”
Her mouth pinches. “You’re just a child. You can’t possibly know what’s good for you.”
“That’s the point I’m making here! I need to make these decisions for myself.” I stand up straighter. “Starting with this one—I’m not going to Northwestern. I never wanted to go there. I want nothing to do with Sam Blake, so you can toss that out, too. I’m going to make my own life plan instead of following the one you forced on me.”
It feels good to finally get that off my chest.
Dad shoots a worried look at Mom and she steps into my space, putting her hand on my shoulder. Her nails dig in slightly.
“Jackie—”
Dad doesn’t get to finish.
“Well. Then pack your things.” Her voice is so cold. It’s hard to believe she’s my mother with how little emotion is in her voice when she stares at me. “If you don’t have any plans to go along with these choices, then the disciplinary institution it is.”
I grit my teeth and jerk away from her. “No.”
