I feel the gentle prodding of my mother’s elbow in my ribs and finally give in. She looks pleased when I lean back in my seat and cross my legs but frowns when she sees my face.
“Would it kill you to smile?”
“Probably.”
She purses her lips, and I turn my attention to the podium, where the chapter head is wrapping up her speech about pledge week. “Thank you so much for being here today. We look forward to seeing you ladies in the coming weeks.”
The crowd starts to disperse immediately, and I’m one of the first ones out of the building. My mother is hot on my heels as I start the short walk back to my dorm.
“Sloane Elise Carson!” Her heels click on the sidewalk as she struggles to match my pace. “I swear I’ve never been more embarrassed in my life. You know better than to behave that way in public.”
“If this is another one of your ‘you’re a constant disappointment, I’m ashamed of everything you do’ speeches, you can save it. We just did this yesterday, and I’m done with it.”
“Oh, young lady, we are far from done.” Her fingers wrap around my elbow, forcing me to stop. “Your father and I did not spend the last eighteen years giving you the world, just for you to come here and piss your entire future away by becoming a drunken party girl withloosemorals.”
The emphasis she places on “loose” makes my spine stiffen, and her eyes snap with a sick satisfaction once she realizes implying that I’m a whore has captured my attention.
“It was one party, Mom. I went to one party.”And despite my plan tospend the night with someone, waking up in my bed this morning tells me my morals are perfectly intact.
“It doesn’t matter! You’re not here for boys and alcohol, Sloane. You’re here to solidify your place in society as a well-bred, educated woman of value and substance. That is the only way you will secure a husband and future worthy of the sacrifices we’ve made for you.”
“Is that what your sudden obsession with being a mother is about? Making sure I marry well?”
Her shoulders go back. “Don’t act like my interest in your life is new. You’ve had the very best of everything…”
“Except a mother!”
The slap across my face catches me completely off guard. Tears well in my eyes instantly as I cup my cheek with the hand not being held in my mother’s bony grasp. She doesn’t even look remorseful as she leans in close to me.
“I amdonewith your disrespect. Your little friends might get away with this kind of behavior, but I won’t have it.” She releases my arm and straightens her blouse. “I knew letting you room with a bunch of random girls would be a mistake. They’re bad influences on you.”
I blink through the tears blurring my vision. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about removing you from an untoward situation. If this is what you’re like after one night of living with those girls, I shudder to think what you’ll be like after an entire year.”
My gut clenches as I realize what she’s saying, and she smiles at my horrified expression. Every bit of the small amount of joy I got from my moment of freedom dies on the curve on her lips.
“You’re going to make me move back home.”
She tilts her head, both of her brows lifting in amusement. “And subject myself to you sulking around day in and day out? I don’t thinkso. I’ll contact my friend in Housing tomorrow and have you moved to a single room. Maybe having your own space will help you remember how to conduct yourself.”
“Why are you doing this?”
“Because someone has to save you from yourself, darling.”
Except this doesn’t feel like being saved. This feels like being punished for daring to live my life outside of her terms. This feels like yet another entry on her never-ending list of my failures and shortcomings.
And it hurts to watch her take so much joy in penciling it in.
“Well, I’d better go.” She pats me on the shoulder. “You should get back and start packing your things. I’ll send you the details for your new room as soon as I have them.”
I manage to nod and watch her glide down the sidewalk happily. Like ruining my life has just made her entire day. Once she’s disappeared into a group of students and parents carrying boxes, I turn and start walking in the other direction with no particular destination in mind. Somehow, I wind up on the steps of the library, watching a campus tour for incoming freshmen head into the lecture hall across the street.
“Oh damn, was that the midday tour?”
Startled, I turn to find a tall guy with smooth brown skin, dark brows, and a strong jawline towering over me. His eyes—the most arresting shade of amber—dance with humor as he fixes me with a mind-melting smile.
“Yes,” I say when I finally manage to find my words. “They just left though. I’m sure you could catch up to them if you run.”
