You sat at the long dining table, glaring at the food on your plate, absentmindedly pushing it around. You set down your fork with a sigh, giving up on pretending to have an appetite. Your parents could make you sit at this table, they could force you to pretend to be polite, but you didn’t have to like it. Glancing out at the window behind your father, you wondered how much longer you were going to have to sit here.

You knew your father was gearing up for a lecture, you’d been at the receiving end of enough of them to know when one was coming. And you’d known after today at the country club, that you were in for a long one. You could feel the judgement and disappointment coming off of both of your parents in waves. Not that your mother would say anything. She’d leave it all to your father, while she just sat there silently judging.

You smoothed down the skirt of your dress as your mind wandered back to earlier today. It had been a good day. You’d spent it in the country club pool, sneaking kisses with Rafe. But the day had quickly gone downhill when you’d caught one of your mother’s friends watching you. They’d quickly run to tell her about your make out session.

“…. And you won’t see him again.” Your father says firmly, his tone leaving no room for argument. You’d heard it all before. Rafe was bad news. He wasn’t good enough for you. It didn’t matter that Rafe’s family was rich. They were new money and that would never be good enough for your stuck up snob of a father. Well, screw him and his classist ideas and rules. Rafe was the one you wanted. You were addicted to his chaos and revelry, and you were done listening to all the protests.

“But daddy,” you say calmly. “I love him. And I’d rather burn my life down with him, then sit here and listen to your sanctimonious bullshit. Enough with the bitching and moaning.” your mother gasps at your words, clutching her pearls. You know she’s thinking you’re uncouth and improper. They’re both probably wondering where they went wrong with you.

“Now, you listen here, young lady” your father begins, but you stand up from the table, tossing down your napkin. A smile spreads across your face as you see who’s standing outside the sliding glass doors.

“No! I know he’s crazy, that this is crazy, but he’s the one I want!” You announce, lifting up your skirt as you run towards the sliding glass door and push it open. Rafe looks you up and down with a lazy smirk. He holds out his hand to you and you eagerly take it.

“Ready, princess?” He asks, his lip twitching with amusement. You glance back at your father who is storming his way over, and then back at Rafe. You nod at him, and he tightens his grip on your wrist tugging you along with him through the garden.