Felicia scrambled to grab her glasses and place them on her face. She watched the stand-off between Shawna and her mother with bated breath. Part of her wanted to step between them, but they didn't leave her any space.

"Mom, please listen! I love her," Felicia cried.

"I didn't raise a lesbian! Get in the car now, Felicia. I'm taking you home and pulling you out of school," her mother said without breaking eye contact with Shawna.

"No, you can't take her from me," Shawna said through clenched teeth.

"She wasn't yours to begin with. Felicia is my daughter. I have every right to take her home!"

"Felicia is an adult now. She can make her own decisions."

"Clearly not! I let her make decisions, and she chose this!" Mrs. Mays said, pointing at the gazebo. She walked over to the table and picked up the Hendrix R6 box. "Did you buy her this?"

"Yes."

"Keep it, and never come near my daughter again," Mrs. Mays yelled, shoving the box into Shawna's hands hard enough to almost knock her over. Shawna placed it on the table and got in Mrs. Mays' face, but this was a mistake. Felicia's mother slapped Shawna. When Shawna tried to retaliate, Felicia grabbed her arm.

"No, Shawna!" Felicia cried. "Please don't fight her," she added, making Shawna back down and look her in the eyes.

"Fel, I'm sorry," Shawna said.

"Get in the car, Felicia," her mother said again.

"Shawna, forgive me. I have to go," Felicia said, looking at the ground as tears splashed at her feet.

"No, Fel. Stay with me."

"I can't. She pays for my school."

"I'll..."

"GET IN THE CAR NOW!" Mrs. Mays screamed, cutting Shawna off.

"But my stuff," Felicia said.

"I'll come back for it later, but you're going home," her mom replied. She grabbed Felicia by the arm and dragged her to the car. Felicia glanced over her shoulder at Shawna, pleading with her eyes.

"Fel, don't go," Shawna cried. She watched helplessly as Mrs. Mays loaded Felicia into the vehicle and drove away. Shawna fell to her knees while staring at the tail lights. Uncontrollable sobs overtook her.

***

"Shawna, calm down. Look at me," Barb said, holding Shawna's head steady. "It's going to be..."

"Don't you dare say it's going to be okay! Nothing is okay!" Shawna screamed. Barb backed up and stood with the other sisters. No one knew what to do. They looked at Shawna, and their hearts broke. They had never seen her like this. Makeup ran down Shawna's cheeks along with the tears. "My whole world is crumbling," Shawna muttered.

"Shawna, I'm so sorry. I wish I knew what to say," Barb replied.

Shawna looked at Barb, and her expression softened a bit. She knew Barb meant well, and the gesture helped a little. She smiled weakly at Barb, but it only lasted a second. A dangerous look replaced it. Shawna seemed to have a realization that filled her with fury. "Marla did this," Shawna said.

Everyone followed Shawna away from the gazebo. She stormed across the campus, looking for Marla. Barb hoped she wouldn't find her, but that wasn't the case. Shawna spotted Marla chatting with Sandra, unaware of the danger approaching her. Barb stepped in front of Shawna to halt her.

"Shawna, don't," Barb said, but Shawna shoved her aside.

"MARLA!" Shawna screamed, making Marla turn and stare in fright. "You did this!"

"Did what?" Marla asked incredulously.

Shawna lurched toward Marla, but Barb held her back. Barb's actions didn't stop Shawna's tirade. "You called Felicia's mother!"

When Marla heard this, she scoffed. "I don't even know her phone number, Shawna. How could I have done that? I made an empty threat before. Contrary to what you think, I'm not the cause of all your problems."

"Shawna, she isn't involved. Let it go," Barb whispered.

"Fine!" Shawna said, raising her hands in defeat and backing away. Barb led her to the fountain, and they sat on the edge. The others huddled around her. Hailey gently rubbed Shawna's back while Shawna unleashed another wave of tears. "What am I supposed to do? I can't live like this."

"Don't talk like that," Keisha pleaded.

"I'm such an idiot. Why didn't I have the pledges watch for Felicia's mother? I thought we were safe," Shawna cried.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

"It's not your fault. Don't blame yourself," Hailey said.

"I can't let her go back there. Felicia's mother abuses her! I know it!"

"Are you sure?"

"Felicia squeaks because she broke her nose. I bet her mother did it. She hit Felicia in front of me before. That's what caused the fight last year."

The revelation shook the sisters, who didn't know how to react. After a long pause, Barb said, "Then why are you still sitting here? Go get your girl."

Her words emboldened Shawna. She stood up and wiped her tears, creating a larger mess on her face, but she didn't care. Barb handed her a tissue, which Shawna used to clean the streaks somewhat. "You're right. I'm not going down without a fight," Shawna said.

"We can handle the pledging activities without you. Get moving!" Hailey said, swatting Shawna on the back.

They watched Shawna march toward the parking lot with renewed vigor. She got in her car and revved the engine before peeling out. Shawna left rubber marks on the road as Chelsea sped away into the night.

***

Felicia and her mother rode in silence. The drive home took three hours, and they were only thirty minutes into the trip. Felicia stared out the window, but her mother still had plenty to say.

"You lied to me! I told you to stay away from her, but you defied me! Now, I caught you kissing her! Tell me. Did you have sex with her!?" Mrs. Mays screamed. The small space amplified her voice, making Felicia squeak. "Stop squeaking and answer me!"

"No, I didn't."

"I don't believe you. No more lies!" her mom continued, grabbing Felicia by the hair while she drove. She yanked Felicia's head toward her, forcing her to look at her. "Tell me the truth!"

"I swear I didn't!"

Her mom released her before saying, "This is an abomination. I am so disgusted and disappointed in you. This isn't how I raised you!"

"Oh, I'm so sorry I didn't marry a man and then cheat on him like you did," Felicia responded. She wasn't sure what made her do it and paid the price. Her mom slapped her hard, knocking her glasses off and making her ears ring.

"Watch your mouth! You see what I mean? That girl has corrupted you already!" her mother said. She breathed heavily as if the slap had taken the wind out of her. Once she regained her composure, she added, "I made mistakes, but at least my relationship was natural! What you're doing isn't!"

"I love her," Felicia replied. She knew her defiance would end badly, but she didn't care anymore.

"No, you don't. What you're feeling is lust. You'll realize that once we get home and away from her."

"How did you find out?" Felicia asked after a few silent minutes.

"That's what you're worried about? You know how I found out. I caught you kissing her!"

"No one called you?"

"Nobody called me. I was trying to surprise you for your birthday!"

Felicia fetched her glasses from the floorboard and donned them again. Her skin stung from the slap and the spot where the glasses' frame scraped her face. She rubbed the sore while staring out the window. Felicia spotted a farm in the distance. A cow made her think of Barb. The thought of leaving Shawna and KMA behind brought more tears.

When they arrived home, Felicia went straight to her room and slammed the door. Thankfully, her mother left her alone. Felicia didn't have her photo album but still had pictures on her phone. She scrolled through them and found a selfie Shawna took. Shawna was sticking out her tongue and making a peace sign. Hana had taught her the pose. The image made Felicia curl into a fetal position and cry. She fell asleep this way.

***

Felicia woke two hours later to a loud noise outside. She knew what it was before she fully awakened. There was no mistaking that revving engine or the screech of tires as the car braked in front of her house. A dog barked in the distance while Felicia listened to a car door opening and closing. The doorbell came next, followed by shouting when Mrs. Mays answered. Felicia rushed downstairs to find Shawna arguing with her mother.

"Where's Felicia?" Shawna asked.

"If you don't leave, I'll call the cops!" Mrs. Mays yelled.

"Go for it, Mommy Dearest. I don't give a fuck. If you call the cops, I'll tell them you've been abusing Fel."

"I'm not abusing her. It's discipline, and I apparently didn't do enough!"

"Fine! Then you won't mind if I discipline you a little bit," Shawna said, raising her hand.

"Shawna, no!" Felicia cried, making Shawna stop.

"Do you see this!? She's threatening me! This is who you chose to date?" Mrs. Mays asked Felicia.

"Mom, she's just worried about me."

"Why!? I'm trying to do what's best for you!"

"Felicia is 20 now. She's old enough to decide that for herself," Shawna said. "Fel, come back with me. Finish school and become a famous photographer. It's your dream."

"And how will she do that? I pay her tuition!"

"Not anymore. I'll pay for her college," Shawna replied. When Felicia heard this, she beamed at Shawna but looked uneasy.

"Shawna, I can't let you do that," Felicia said.

"Nonsense. I can afford it."

"How!? You work in your school's food court," Mrs. Mays cackled.

Shawna backed Mrs. Mays up with a scowl and fetched her phone. Felicia's mom jumped because she thought Shawna was pulling out something else. After scrolling and logging into an app, Shawna turned the screen toward Mrs. Mays. "I'm a millionaire, bitch. Read it and weep," Shawna said, showing her the bank app. Mrs. Mays gawked at the phone in disbelief.

"Shawna?" Felicia asked. She looked utterly shocked because she had never known how much money Shawna had received from her inheritance. Shawna kept that information to herself.

"Surprise, Squeaks. I don't like people knowing," Shawna shrugged. "Come with me, Fel. She will never lay a finger on you again. I promise."

Felicia moved toward the door, causing her mother to glare. The look stopped Felicia, but Shawna beckoned her.

"If you leave, don't bother ever coming back!" Mrs. Mays screamed.

"Mom?" Felicia asked, looking hurt.

"Are you going to choose some dyke over your own mother!?"

The slur made Shawna raise her fist, but Felicia warded her off with her hand. "You're the one threatening to cut me off. I never said I didn't want to see you again," Felicia said to her mom before continuing her trek toward the exit.

"I'm serious! If you walk out that door and betray me, it's over!"

"Then I guess this is goodbye. Mom, I'm sorry. I love you, but I can't stay here," Felicia said, joining Shawna on the porch.

"Felicia!" her mom yelled as Fel closed the door behind her.

Shawna led Fel to her car and opened the door for her. Once Shawna took her seat, she pulled Felicia into a kiss. They kept it short because they didn't want to stay there long, but the passion behind it made it just as powerful as a long make-out session. The kiss left Shawna breathless.

"Thank you, Shawna," Felicia whispered.

"You're welcome. I love you."

"I love you too, and I knew you would come for me, but there's something I don't get."

"What is it?"

"If you're a millionaire, why are you attending college?"

"Because I enjoy it. Plus, it brought me to you," Shawna smiled, caressing Felicia's cheek with her thumb. "Let's go home, Fel."

Felicia nodded and buckled her seat belt. As they pulled away, she took one last look at her mom's house. She didn't know if she would ever return, but she knew where she was going was a far better place.