Eighteen

In the dance studio, I clean out my stuff. I never thought it would come to this. I am so disappointed in my mom. She dropped a bomb on Corey's and Jen's life and doesn't even care.

I hear footsteps. Enough is enough.

"We need to talk," my mom says.

"No, we don't."

"If you're leaving the Dance Academy, then all the perks of being my daughter are gone too," she tells me.

"Perks?" I laugh.

"Paid cell phone, credit card, and car," she smirks.

She is so petty. "Whatever."

She holds out her hand. I roll my eyes. I walk towards the desk and grab my bag. Reaching in, I gasp my keys and credit card.

"Here, I need to call Corey first before I give you my phone."

"You can keep the phone, it will be shut off tomorrow," she grins.

"This doesn't bother me, it's all stuff that's attached to the coldest-hearted self-centered person I know."

Her mouth drops open. I grin and walk away. That felt great.

"So this means you're moving in with him?" She yells after me.

"I think living in your castle is a perk too?"

I move towards the entrance and leave. I feel a little sad knowing I won't be here anymore. I did love teaching.

Grabbing my phone, I call Corey. Please pick it up.

"Hello," he says.

"My mom took my keys", I hear my voice crack.

"It's alright Sadie, I am signing paperwork for a new assignment. I will be there to get you as soon as I can," he tells me.

"Okay."

"It's going to be fine babe," he says.

"I know." I take a deep breath.

Corey hangs up the phone. I walk over and sit down on the bench. None of this bothers me. I know my mom will be begging me to come back. I laugh to myself. Her efforts are cute. She always has to have her way.

Looking through my bag, I grab a piece of gum and pop it into my mouth. The mint calms my nerves.

I am happy when I see my debit bank card. I almost forgot I never used it. When I started teaching at the Dance Academy, my mom wanted me to open an account for my paychecks, so having my own money would teach me responsibility. I still used her credit card, and she never cared. I get paid five hundred dollars for each work, and I have been working for years.

Picking up my phone, I call for a balance. My mouth drops open. It's good to save for all those years. I laugh at my mom's failed efforts.

I feel so relieved when I see Corey pull into the parking lot. I move towards the passenger side door and get in.

"You okay?" He asks

I shrug my shoulders. "I guess."

"Your mom will come around, just give it time," he says.

I shake my head. "You don't know my mom."

"I know her type," he says.

"And what's that?"

"Judgmental looking down on people who don't have money," he responds.

I frown. Everyone can pick up on how my mom is. Great!

"But I'm not like that."

Corey takes my hand and holds it. I love the way his hand feels in mine. "I know," he smiles at me.

******

In moments, we were pulling into Corey's driveway. I feel my head spinning. I should probably just stay in a hotel room tonight. I don't want to mess things up with Corey by moving too fast. That would be a disaster, and then my mom and Adam can completely laugh in my face.