A/N: As always, thanks for reviewing! The more reviews I get, the more I wanna write!

The cool days of winter slowly warmed in spring. Jack and Rose remained as close as ever, not allowing Cal or Ruth to keep them apart.

After school had returned from Christmas break, a transfer student named Helga joined their senior class. She was Norweigen, but also spoke fluent Italian and English. Italian was easier for her, and soon her and Fabrizio were a regular sight in the hallways, speaking in Italian.

Rose and Helga became close friends. Rose had confided in Helga about her and Jack. Though still best friends, they denied Ruth and Cal that knowledge as much as possible. Helga promised to not only keep Rose's secret, but to also cover for Rose whenever she needed it.

So when Jack turned eighteen in March, Rose told Ruth she was studying at Helga's. In truth, the moment she showed up at Helga's, they joined Jack, Fabri, and Tommy at Molly's.

Prom came and went. Jack spent the evening trying not to notice Rose's head on Cal's shoulder. Rose on the other hand, spent the entire evening wishing Cal's shoulder was Jack's.

Right before graduation, things began to take dramatic turns. It all started when Rose got a late acceptance letter to NYU. She had been on the waiting list, but now she was accepted. She had been accepted into the Liberal Arts program, with a full scholarship. Rose had been home alone when she got the letter, and was literally jumping up and down in high heels with joy.

"Rose!" She stopped jumping the moment she heard Cal yell at her. "For God's sakes, why the hell are you acting that way?"

"I got accepted to NYU!" Rose had always known Cal had frowned upon her applying there, but he never tried to talk her out of going. But when he sneered at her, she felt her blood go cold.

"So? You're not going Rose. You got your acceptance letter to Radcliffe months ago, and that's where you'll be going." Immediately, Rose felt anger burn through her.

"Who are you to tell me what I will and will not do," she snapped at him. "NYU is where I want to go, and I'm going there."

"No you're not Rose," Ruth said, entering the house after hearing the last bit of conversation. "You can't be in New York, while your husband in in Massachusetts!"

"Mother, Cal and I aren't going to be married for another year!" She felt angry tears burn her eyelids, but she blinked them back.

"That doesn't matter Rose," Cal said, calmer now. "We're still going to be married in college. And I refuse to let you attend a co-ed school.

"You refuse to let me?" Rose could not believe what she was hearing. Cal had to grant her special permission? "You can't refuse me of anything."

"Rose," Ruth began calmly. "Cal is your husband in practice. Just because you aren't legally married, doesn't mean you can disrespect him like that."

"I can't believe either of you," she screamed at them. She wanted to say more, so badly the words began to burn her tongue. But instead of letting them out, she turned and ran out of the house. Ruth immediately began to go after her, when Cal held her back.

"Let her be for now Ruth." Ruth looked at him, perplexed. "Let her think about it, she'll see that she's wrong."

"You're right," Ruth agreed with a nod. "If we go after her, it'll make it worse, I suppose."

Ruth walked to the kitchen to order the maid around before returning. As the maid brought both her and Cal a cup of tea, Cal spoke up.

"I think I may have a solution to the problem Ruth."

...

Rose fumed as she made her way through the thickening brush. She had taken a shortcut to the park through the woods. Her clothes were getting smeared with green from the leaves, and twice she had felt a twig scratch at her arms.

In her hand she still clutched the acceptance letter. The letter was crumpled from her tight grasp. Finally, she emerged from the woods. Rose spotted a bench just a few feet away and sat down, putting her head in her hands.

"Rose?" She looked up and saw Helga. The friendly face made Rose smile. "What's wrong?"

"Cal and my mother are trying to control me. I got accepted to NYU, and they've practically forbade me to go," Rose explained, managing to keep tears from falling.

"They what? Rose they can't do that," Helga protested.

"They can, and they will. Cal has a lot of connections. He'll call whoever can help him, and throw a lot of money at them, and it'll be done."

"Oh Rose! This isn't fair." Helga hugged her.

Rose wiped her eyes. "No it's not. But you know what? I don't wanna talk about it right now." Rose wiped a final tear away and forced a smile. "So," she began, looking to change the subject. "How are things between you and Fabri?"

...

Cal and Ruth waiting for nearly three hours before Rose came back. "Where were you young lady," Ruth demanded.

"I was at the park with Helga." She'd rather have been with Jack, but the guys had gone fishing early that morning and still weren't home. "I'm going to bed," she added, even though it was just after six. She just wanted to be alone. Cal stood from the chair he was sitting in.

"We have a few things to discuss first, Sweetpea." Rose rolled her eyes before turning back to them.

"Sit down, Rose," Ruth ordered her daughter coldly. Rose wanted to argue, but was emotionally exhausted and just wanted some sleep. Wanting to hit the nail on the head, she sat.

"Rose, I am very disappointed in you," Cal began. "And I will not allow this behavior." Cal's voice was so cold, Rose had to hold back a shiver. "You will not be going to NYU, I've already taken care of it."

Rose stood up so fast from her chair, she got a head rush. "You unimaginable bastard," she said through clenched teeth. For a split second, Cal wanted to slap her, but he remembered that Ruth was in the room.

"Rose," Ruth shrieked. Ruth's voice was like nails on a chalkboard to Rose. "You are lucky to be going to college at all, young lady! You already have a suitable and respectable man to marry, there's no need for college."

"Then why are you even letting me go," Rose challenged, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Because in six months to a year, you'll realize you are being a silly brat and leave school," Ruth told her. "If we're lucky, it'll happen sooner," she added bitterly.

Rose felt angry tears begin to burn at her eyelids. She began to again walk off to her room, when Ruth stopped her.

"We're not finished."

Exasperated, Rose turned to face her. "What mother?"

"Once graduation passes, you will no longer be spending time with your little friends," Ruth commanded, sounding as if the word friends burned her tongue. "Or your cousin for that matter."

Rose couldn't even speak, she was so taken back by Ruth's words.

Ruth was pleased she wasn't interrupted and carried on. "You'll be marrying Cal this August, not next summer."

The angry tears that Rose had held back, finally broke free from her eyelids.