You Don't Own Me - Lesley Gore

Okay so...spoiler for any of you could possibly care about my stories lol - I'm in the process of writing a new, and very long story about Puck and Sabrina (and of course the rest of the family). I've been trying to read some fanfics lately, and haven't found any real good in-depth stories as of late. You know, the ones that are long and have cliff-hangers. So I thought I'd write one. I already know what I want to write and where the stories gonna go, I'm just having trouble starting it lol. So until then, I wanted to take a break from Sabrina and Puck and write about someone else that doesn't really have her own chapters lol. Hope you enjoy (and stay tuned for my new story!)

*Daphne's POV*

"You're seriously going to wear that out tonight, Daph?"

I heard him pipe up as I faced my closet and pulled my favorite skirt over my hips. I silently thanked God that he was behind me and couldn't see my irritated facial expression. I ignored him, but rolled my eyes as I snatched my t-shirt off of the hanger. I could hear him ranting behind me about how only insecure girls like to show off their bodies, how it's completely inappropriate, how it's a boyfriend job to make sure his girlfriend is seen as a wife, and blah blah blah. I was pretty good at tuning him out by now, being around it for over a year gives good practice. I proceeded to pull the fabric over my head as I heard him continue to give his unwanted comments.

"I mean, it's a little revealing isn't it? And having a blue skirt like that doesn't really compliment your eyes - you should stick to more earthy tones."

I was fully dressed by the time he finished critiquing me - as usual. Daniel was always knit-picking at literally everything that I did, but I was usually good at ignoring him or defending my decisions to him. But as of lately, it was starting to get really exhausting. I pulled my black hair up into a high ponytail and walked by him to face the mirror hanging on my wall.

"Do you hear me, Daph?"

"Yes, Daniel! I hear you perfectly fine!" I strained out through gritted teeth in frustration as I whipped around to face him, my now-finished ponytail slapping me in the cheek in the process. He looked surprised to hear my outburst, but didn't say anything further. I loved Daniel. He was the first real boyfriend I'd had in a long time, and he was sweet and extremely cute - but controlling as hell. But, it's not entirely his fault. His family comes from a long line of wealthy businessman. Men like that are used to giving their opinion and for it to be heard, just something he was raised to act by. I kept thinking that he'd change...but so far no luck.

"Sorry, babe. I'm just trying to help, you know." He said as he sat down onto the edge of my bed and placed a scowl on his face in the process.

I sighed and grabbed my purse off of the doorknob and swung it over my shoulder in one swift movement. "I know, Daniel. Can we just go one the date now?" I said as I started walking out of the bedroom. After hearing his un-deserved apology, his scowl disappeared and in its place he placed a cheeky grin. I smiled back at him on the outside, just like a perfect and obedient girlfriend should, but all I could think was: God, you're such a fucking child.

"Oh, Daphne has the nicest legs ever. Don't you, babe?" Daniel smirked as he put an arm around my shoulders and gave me a little shake.

We met up at the restaurant on the group-date (like always)... with his friends and their girlfriends. Because heaven-forbid me and him actually go out to dinner by ourselves - of course not. Every date was filled with him and his friends going around and boasting about who's girlfriend is better. Like a flipping game! They were currently talking about Daniel's other friend, who's girlfriend was just offered a small part in a new movie. Apparently now it's a race to see who's girlfriend is going to get the new spotlight.

"Nahhh, Dan. Michelle's legs are killer! Long as a models really - and that's what I've been telling her! I told her she needs to start modeling, right hun?" Daniel's friend Mitchell explained as he sipped from his beer and placed a long finger under her chin. She just sheepishly smiled and nodded in response. Just like she's "supposed" to...the obedient girlfriend. It's pathetic really.

"Just like I am," I thought as I looked down onto my plate of un-touched food in shame. I moved my eyes to peek up around the big booth we sat around. All of the girlfriends - me included - sitting next to our boyfriends. Silent. Smiling. Not interrupting. Just happy to listen to conversation and laugh when we're supposed to. Looking like little puppies, lucky to be with the rich and handsome men who picked us out of the million of women in the city.

I let my thoughts drift over my inner monologue as I continued to hear the muted conversation going on around me. In the corner, the two other girlfriends were having their own whispered conversation and sheepish smiles behind their thick napkins. But it wasn't long before I was pulled back to earth from my own bubble of thoughts.

"Daphne, did you hear me?" Daniel said as he gently poked me in my shoulder.

"Huh? No, I'm sorry I guess I just zoned out." I laughed out as I placed my fork down and finally looked around at the table of couples.

Daniel smiled sweetly back at me and placed his arm back behind me. "Mitchell here thinks Michelle's legs are longer than yours! No way right?" He laughed as he placed a hand onto my knee under the table. "Get up and show them how long your legs are." He smiled encouragingly as he gestured for me to stand up.

I looked around at the table filled with weak-minded women and these vain, egotistical assholes called men. Them all looking at me with challenge in their eyes. Just expecting me to jump whenever Daniel spoke a word. Suddenly I felt my face get hot and my blood start to boil. Looking around at what I've become - an obedient dog! A toy for him and his friends to play with and gawk at. I was sick of being told what to do. What to wear, what to say and how to say it….no more.

"No." I said as I picked up my fork and started to stab at my plate and shove a large forkful into my mouth. It's been awhile since I could eat the way I wanted - Daniel thought it was uncouth of me to shovel forkfuls of food into my mouth in public. But to hell with him.

"No?" He questions as his eyebrows drew together and he angled his body backward to face me better in the booth.

"No." I repeated as I glared into his eyes and put another forkful of food into my mouth.

"Well, you didn't wear that skirt for nothing." He joked as a fake smile plastered onto his face. But I could tell just underneath the surface was anger. His eyes burned holes into mine as his hold on my knee got tighter.

"Get your act together, Daph." Was what he really wanted to say, but knew that it would be inappropriate and embarrassing to say in front of all of his friends. So instead his eyes spoke for him.

"No, I wore this skirt because I wanted to wear this skirt. Not to go around showing my legs to your friends on your command." I snapped back as I threw my napkin down onto the table. His face drew back and he opened and closed his mouth like a fish. I looked around the table and could see the wide-eyed shock of the girls as they all uncomfortably pushed around their food on their plates and sipped from their margaritas.

"Daphne, what's going on with you?" Daniel finally exclaimed as he released his hold on me knee and his face started to turn red from anger.

"I'm not your trophy, Daniel! You don't get to sit here and tell me what to do, what to wear and what to say! I don't know who you think you are, but you don't own me!" I screamed as jumped up from my seat and stared at him straight in his face. I could hear the quiet chatter of the entire restaurant die down as they all looked at the scene I was causing. I saw Daniel's eyes nervously dart around the place as people started whispering behind their menu's and palms. Of course he's nervous - because having an outburst like this in public is just completely not allowed.

"You're causing a scene," He harshly whispered as he urgently reached to grab my wrist. "Just sit down and lower your voice."

"No!" I screamed as I stomped my foot like a five-year-old in frustration. "I'm through taking orders from you! I never tell you what to do, so you know what… you can't tell me what to do! I'm done here, Daniel. You've done nothing but boss me around since the moment we got together, and frankly I'm sick of it. I'm a grown ass women and can do whatever I want, got it?" I asked as I pointed my finger in his face and let my nostrils flare - very unladylike.

The entire restaurant was quiet, and Daniel sat there in stunned silence for the first time since I met him. I straightened myself and snatched my purse sitting right next to him in the booth seat.

"Now, you can watch my 'long legs'," I mocked as I used my hand as a puppet and slung my purse around my shoulder. "Walk out of here. And while you're watching...you can kiss my ass." I snarked out as I placed a sweet smile onto my face before turning and briskly walking away from the table and out of the restaurant.

"I'm free…" I thought as I stuck my chin up and walked out of the doors with my head held high - despite the glares of all the people watching me.