Chapter 4: Problems in Paradise.
453 days later.
Piper felt a jolt of pure excitement course through her body as her parents took the exit for Arkale University. The feeling of freedom already tasted so sweet. After so much time the sweet sensation was so close as her time in the crappy chrysler was coming to its close. Her mind raced with the thoughts of escaping her parents, but more importantly seeing Alex again.
A fuzzy warmness was rising through her after all their time apart, and she needed to see the brunette again.
"Now you're cutting this one close missy, so make sure you're up in time for classes tomorrow. This place doesn't screw around and doesn't have an intro period so your ass better be in class early tomorrow. That means no partying or sleeping in because this college opportunity is about getting into the med school, so don't screw this up," her mom chided as she burst Piper's thoughts of freedom and happiness, once again.
Whatever bitch, this is finally close to the end. Then I can do whatever the fuck I want when I am free of you in a home that really accepts me for who I am.
"I got it mom, I'll be at all my classes on time tomorrow. I just hope next year I get some bit of choice in my classes since this is my college experience. After all..."
"Hey, this is the best chance you have to get into medical school. We tried letting you make your own choices and look where that took you. So suck it up and the classes won't be too hard anyway," her mom retorted.
Piper slumped down in the back seat and stared out the window. She was about ready to scream and murder, but she could wait. In another 2 minutes she'd be free of her parents and wouldn't be stuck with them again. All she had to do was survive until then.
"Okay, now your father was able to pull in a few favor and specially got you a roommate that should keep you on track. She's a hardworking student and she'll be good for you," her Mom continued as the old car finally pulled up to the curb a block from campus.
Piper grabbed her backpack and suitcase as she hastily climbed out of the back seat and onto the sidewalk.
"We'll see you kiddo, make us proud," her father smiled as he looked up at her.
Piper felt almost happy for a moment before she locked eyes with her Dad's menacing glare.
His steel cold gaze sent chills through her body as it seemed to say, "And you know why you'll do well here, because if you don't I have other ideas where you'll spend your time."
Piper managed to fake a smile back at her parents as her heart pounded in her chest. Then the moment was over and their car drove back towards the interstate. Piper stared after them as she felt thrilled again to be free and off at college. The day was starting to come to an end and the beautiful colors of the sunset rippled across the sky in amazing pink and orange streaks. Piper smiled as she brushed a lock of blonde hair out of her eyes and stared at the beauty. But the lingered gaze from her father still cut into her mind and the beauty of the world seemed only to be a mirage, pulling a pretty face over the unbearable darkness of real reality.
In the warm fall air Piper wrapped her arms around her chest and shivering in the unbearable cold that she could neither feel nor taste, but she knew it was there.