"What do you mean not anymore?" Cyrus asked.
"I'd like to know too," Fitz added when he came in. He knew Cyrus would give him the death glare but he had to risk it for Liv. "Do you really think it was appropriate physically dragging her down here in front of other students, Cyrus?"
"Do you think it's really appropriate to screw your students?"
"I don't just screw her! I love Olivia. She means everything to me. And I'm sure she feels the same way. We discussed all of the possible consequences together before any of this started. I can't help that I love her or that she is much younger than me. We love each other and are meant to be together. But I would like to know what this business is of her not being my student anymore."
Both men stood with folded arms on opposite sides of the office staring at her. "I haven't been your student for over a month now. I was trying to tell you last night before everything got out of hand and you left. Tomorrow is the end of the term and my last day."
"Olivia, we talked about this before," Cyrus spoke up. "You should finish with the rest of the class and graduate with them next year."
"Wait, what are we talking about?" Fitz asked, moving closer to her. He saw Cyrus's glare and moved back away from her.
"I have had enough credits to graduate all year. I didn't really need to come back this year but I thought I could get some extra classes in. But I decided that I don't want to take them now. I've taken all the classes I care to take and I can graduate tomorrow. I just have to have Cyrus sign the diploma and I'm gone. I won't be your student anymore or a student at this high school. I'll officially be a college student instead of a college and high school student. We don't have to hide anything then. Fitz, we can go out in public on an actual date and whatever else we want to do."
"I'm against this entire idea, Liv," Cyrus added his two cents.
"I wasn't asking for your permission. I was telling you this is how it's going to go. I have everything handled and am starting the classes for the next term at the college in three weeks. I'll be a lawyer before I'm 22. Sign the diploma so I can get out of here and go on in life."
"No, it's a bad idea."
"You've been trying to protect me from college for the past two years. I'm going! And not next year or the year after I'm going at the end of the month. I'm doing what is right for me and the person I love so we can be together. I don't need your permission. Sign that damn paper."
"You can't date him!"
"And you aren't my father!" As soon as she said it, she wanted to take it back. She knew that he was like a father to her, better than the one she had. "Cyrus, I didn't mean that. I didn't, I'm sorry," she cried going over and hugging him.
"But you did. I'll sign the diploma and you can go."
"Cyrus, don't make it a thing. You know I didn't mean that. You and James are the only parents I have left. I just said it, I wasn't thinking. Please, Cy."
Cyrus unwrapped her arms from around him and went to his desk pulling out her diploma. "I knew it was coming eventually. The two of you have been acting different for several weeks now but I never would have thought this was what was causing the difference. I am very strongly against the two of you being together and he knows why. Go clear out your locker and you can have the rest of the day off since you finished your exams. I'll see you later." He handed her the diploma and motioned for her to leave.
"But you're still angry."
"No, not angry. A bit annoyed and maybe disappointed but not angry. Go."
"Go gentle please, Cy. None of this was his idea."
"I will see you later, Olivia."
She slowly took the diploma from him and walked out of the office closing the door gently behind her. Liv cleared out her locker and went home deciding to go in early for work.
"Cyrus, I know I shouldn't have gotten involved with her, but I can't help it," Fitz told him.
"Yes, yes, I heard you 'love' her. You don't even know anything about her. Except for what I heard last night."
"You heard all of that?"
"How do you think I found out?"
"I thought she might have told you."
"That is something she never would have told me until it was absolutely necessary. Like when she brought you home for dinner with me and James after you and she were already married. She knew I would disapprove of this and would be pissed. How could you do that to her?"
Fitz shook his head and put his hands in his pockets. "I didn't do anything to her. She wanted this before I even knew I loved her. Her attitude of avoiding me two months ago was because of her feelings for me. She didn't want to act on them because she loves you and she didn't want it to ruin our friendship. She told me she loved me and I kissed her the next day. The kiss just happened. Then she told you that we had the argument and wanted to transfer to another class. We never argued. She lied so you would still be friends with me. Livie knew that you would forgive her a lot easier than you would be. So she took one for the team."
"Two people have abandoned her before, make sure you're not the third. Break it off, now."