Three months later at university
Stacey's pov
So far college life has been an adjustment, to say the least. Living away from the NJC, the only home I've known for the past twelve years, has been both exciting and frightening at times. I love all the newfound freedoms I have but by the same token, it's a little bit overwhelming as well.
If I don't feel like going to class, I just don't go because there's no one here to make me. If I have a choice between studying and partying, well let's just say I have yet to choose books over booze and boys. If I want to sleep in, I do, even if that means missing an important test. No one monitors my eating and sleeping habits. No one makes sure I'm taking care of myself.
In a way, it's great not to be bossed around and nagged all the time but in a way, it makes me feel kinda lost and lonely too. I like my roommate and I've made some friends here but I miss my cousin, sisters, and guardians like crazy. Everything's just different, there's been so many changes to my day to day life. It's a lot to deal with in a short amount of time.
Overall, I'm glad I decided to go away to school. I just need a little more time to figure out a happy balance between my social life and my academics. It's a work in progress but so far the scale is definitely tipped in favor of fun and unfortunately, I have a feeling my guardians are now well aware of that fact too.
My phone rings indicating an incoming call from Shane, which will no doubt confirm my theory.
"Hi, Shane," I anxiously greet my guardian, as I brace myself for the fallout.
"YOU LOST YOUR SCHOLARSHIP DUE TO POOR ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE? WHAT IN THE WORLD IS GOING ON WITH YOU, STACEY?" he barks into the phone, dispensing with the pleasantry of a greeting. Shane's pissed.
"It's not that big of a deal, Shane, I just missed a few classes and some tests that I wasn't able to make up. Besides, I can earn the scholarship back next semester if I bring my GPA back up," I respond casually, hoping to lessen the gravity of the situation.
"No big deal? ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR BLOODY MIND, STACEY? How can you possibly think that three thousand dollars isn't a big deal? And that's per semester, so add that up over four years and now we're talking about almost twenty-five thousand dollars. How do you justify that, Stacey?" Shane continues to rant.
"Relax, Shane, I'll earn the scholarship back. Just get off my back already. I'm not a little kid anymore. I don't need you micromanaging me. Geez!"
"It's not your back you should be concerned about, young lady, it's your backside," Shane replied ominously.
I gulped upon hearing that threat, knowing it for sure wasn't an idle one.
"Why did you miss those classes and tests, Stacey? Is it because you're not taking your studies seriously? Let me remind you, you're at university to get an education, not to party."
Rolling my eyes, I sigh audibly.
"I didn't miss the tests cuz I was out partying. Alright? Granted, I may have blown off a couple classes and slept through a few tests but I'm still getting the hang of college life. I'll figure it all out soon enough. Don't worry, Shane." He can be such a nag, I thought to myself as I tried to rub the tension out of the muscles at the back of my neck.
"Oh, you're damn right you're gonna figure it out!" Shane shouted into the phone.
I rolled my eyes again. It's a good thing we're not on FaceTime so Shane can't see my disinterest in this conversation.
Shane continued to lecture me, "In fact, I'm going to give you some very persuasive motivation to get back on track when you come home this weekend. I expect you to be here at the NJC Friday night by 7pm, no later. Am I clear?"
"I don't know, Shane. I wasn't planning on coming home this weekend," I whined.
"So help me God, Stacey Marie, you will be home by 7pm this Friday because if I have to come to your school to sort you out, I can guarantee everyone in your residence hall will hear the strapping you'll receive when I get there. Do you understand me?" Shane was beyond livid at this point. "I'm not giving you an option. You will come home this weekend."
Recognizing the warning signs, I decided not to push the Admiral beyond his limits. I know I'm in enough trouble already.
"Yes sir, I understand. I'll be home Friday," I say in a defeated voice.
"Good, now you better start getting ready. I know your government class begins in twenty-five minutes and you WILL BE THERE ON TIME, YOUNG LADY." Shane paused, his voice softened as he said, "I love you, Stacey. I'll see you on Friday. Bye, sweetheart."
After saying goodbye and hanging up, I flopped down loudly on my bed. Ugghhh! How am I gonna get out of this one? I know if I don't go home, Shane will for sure come here and beat my ass and there's no way in Hell I want to be known around campus as the freshman who still gets spanked by her fathers. This sucks. I guess I'll just have to go home. I mean if I'm gonna get my butt blistered either way, it might as well be at home in private.
Friday night at the NJC
Shane's pov
"Where is she, Mike? I told her to be here by 7pm and it's already 8:15pm." I pace back and forth as I'm getting restless waiting for Stacey to arrive.
"Relax, Shane, she'll be here. She's most likely on her way since her phone is going straight to voicemail," Mike replied, trying to calm me down.
"I told her to be here by 7pm. She's not in enough trouble already? She has to be late as well?" I continue to pace nervously.
"In all fairness, Admiral, you did summon her home to punish her so you can't really blame her for not being in a hurry to get here." Mike slaps me on the back as he gives me a hard time.
"Don't try to make me out to be the bad guy, Mike. You know damn well she deserves everything she's got coming to her for not taking her education seriously. I mean, where are we going to get the extra three thousand dollars to pay her tuition this semester?" I stand with my hands on my hips as I question him.
"I think we both know exactly what needs to be done to pay her tuition this semester," Mike replies, sadly shaking his head.
Just then we're interrupted as we hear, "Hey, I finally made it." Stacey drops her overnight bag as she comes to greet us.
"Hi, sweetheart, it's good to see you," Mike says, pulling Stacey into his warm embrace.
Avoiding looking me in the eye, Stacey stares at the floor as she shyly says, "Hi, Shane. I'm sorry I'm late."
I pull Stacey into my arms, hug her tightly and swat her bottom twice.
"You know better than that, luv. I expect you to look at me when you're speaking to me and I'd like an explanation for your tardiness," I admonish our oldest daughter.
"Sorry, Shane," Stacey says, now looking me in the eye. "I should have left sooner but I was kinda putting it off."
"I'm glad you're home, sweetheart, I just wish it was under better circumstances," I say sternly but lovingly. "I'll address your lack of punctuality later."
Stacey looks down at her feet again, clearly ashamed of her misdeeds which led to this visit.
I gently tilt her chin up.
"How about the three of us have some dinner before you and I have our discussion, sound good?"
"Alright," Stacey mumbles sadly, clearly not thrilled, knowing what our discussion will entail.
"Excuse me," I say warningly, as I raise one eyebrow. "That is not a proper response, young lady." It appears Stacey has forgotten quite a bit since starting university. I plan on giving her some very stern reminders this weekend to refresh her memory.
"I meant to say, yes sir," Stacey obediently amends her response.
Stacey's pov
Fuck me. I knew I never should've come home. Shane's gonna be a hard-ass all weekend; three thousand dollars worth of hard-ass. Ugghh, I don't know if I can handle this.
Dinner consisted mostly of forced small-talk and polite conversation as we each avoided the elephant in the room. I just wanted to get this overwith in hopes of maybe being able to salvage some of my weekend.
As we headed back to Shane's room after dinner, I turned to Mike and asked, "Are you coming with us?"
"No, darlin', you and Shane need to talk," Mike replied quickly.
"Are you sure, Mike?" I whined, hoping he would change his mind and join us. I feel like his presence as the voice of reason might be my best shot to keep Shane from going overboard with his discipline.
"You made a promise to Shane, sweetheart, and you broke that promise. Now, you need to do the mature, responsible thing and answer to him." Mike gave my arm a little reassuring squeeze and smiled. "You'll get through this, darlin', and come out stronger for having survived it."
"I know you meant that to be encouraging but now I'm low key terrified, Mike."