Persephone 

I did a double take as Asa sat beside me in class Thursday afternoon. 

Last time it made sense, it was either sit next to me or walk all the way up to the back of the lecture hall. 

Today, however, there were open seats everywhere, yet he chose to plop down beside me. 

His ocean scent hit me and I wonder if he bathes in coconuts and Seabreeze. 

That's probably the scent on his mens five in one. 

Oh gosh imagine if he actually wears mens five in one.... I would so sell that information to the media.

"Coach talked about you this morning after practice." He says so nonchalantly, as if it wasn't a big deal at all. 

Of course my interest was automatically peaked. 

I turned to face him, "Yeah? What did he say?" I ask a little too eagerly.

"He told us that you were here to get a degree in elementary education, that you were his only daughter and if any of us derailed your education he'd kill us and our bodies would never be found." He smirks, like he found my dads over exaggeration amusing. 

I snort, "Sounds like him."

Asa shifts closer to me. I can't tell if it's on purpose or not because it didn't seem like a calculated move. 

"He also said he was putting something together for the team to officially meet you next Wednesday."

That catches me off guard.

My brows pinch together, "Wednesday?"

He nods, "Yeah, I mean it's not definite but he made it almost a week in advanced so the guys hopefully wouldn't have plans."

I begin to naw on my lower lip nervously. 

My dad knows what I do Wednesdays after classes, I hate missing my time on the ice. 

"We could reschedule if you're busy I bet." Asa says as he watches my reaction and he sounds sincere about it. 

I bet if I brought it up to my dad he'd change the day, still as Peyton loves to remind me I'm stubborn. if he doesn't remember then I won't bring it up.

I shake my head, "No if thats the day he wants it, I'll be there."

Asa clears his throat, "You know Percy, it sounds like it's a problem for you."

Hold the phone.

"Percy?" I ask confused and he nods, "Everyone calls you Seph and thats boring."

I raise an eyebrows, slightly offended, "Oh really, my name is boring to you?"

The side of his mouth quirks slightly, "No Persephone it's not." There's something in his tone I'm missing but I don't have too much time to think it over before our Professor goes on about the lesson. 

This time when we part after class I do stay and say goodbye before leaving.

I was feeling nice today. 

By the end of the day I am egg-sauce-dead. 

I run to my dorm to grab my things for a shower. 

I really hate communal bathrooms, the whole thing about it makes me wonder why my dad has to pay so much for my tuition. I truly miss the time when I could shower while crying in peace. 

Peyton and I already have a plan to get an apartment next year together. We are both saving up, she works at the diner and I work at the local library. 

One day I'll be able to shit without worrying someone can hear me. That day can't come soon enough. 

After my shower I head back to my dorm, and when I open the door I see Peyton on her phone. 

"But I don't want to put on a bra I already took it off for the day." Peyton grumbles when I enter the room. 

She's FaceTiming someone and by the conversation topic I know it's Brendan Gack, her boyfriend. 

He and Peyton have been together since seventh grade, yeah that equals almost a whole decade. 

I have had to watch their toxic relationship play out for nine long years. 

Well ok so maybe it wasn't always toxic but by senior year I wouldn't be able to hold in my hands the amount of red flags this guys produced. 

For starters he is one of those whiners. The ones where if she doesn't do what he says he doesn't yell or get angry, no, he starts whining. 

"Please baby, it makes me uncomfortable to think of other guys seeing what's mine." Brendan whines. 

Sometimes I wished I had never helped him ask her to the winter formal in middle school. 

"I'm not even leaving the room, the only person who can see anything is Seph and she's not wearing a bra either."

'Hey.' I mouth and she shrugs. 

"I just-" Brendan stops himself, probably trying to use the last half of braincell he has left to conjure up a reason for Peyton to put a bra on. 

Poor girl cant even sit in her own room without a bra. 

Now I know the real question is, why hasn't she broken up with him?

I ask my self that question on the daily. 

The thing is besides me I think Brendan is the only constant in her life. She depends on him too much and no matter how many times I voice my opinion, it is her relationship. 

"Your boobs are big babe, which I love, but that makes everything super noticeable."

Is there a way to virtually punch someone in the face? If there is, someone let me know because I need it right about now. 

She sighs before getting up and putting on a bra. 

I shake my head at her, 'don't cave.' I mouth and she holds a finger up before muting the mic so Brendan cant hear. 

"It's fine I want to talk to Brendan before he starts work. I dont want to ruin the few minutes of time we have on fighting."

I roll my eyes and flop down onto my bed. I think that's why our friendship works so well, while I'm stubborn and will never budge, Peyton chooses the path of least resistance. 

Still when she does hold her ground I know when it's time to let her have her way. I refuse to be a Brendan in her life that constantly takes her for granted and steam rolls over her. 

One day she'll meet a guy who will have her standing up for herself. I can't wait to meet him. 

Peyton picks up the phone and unmutes herself. 

"Thank you baby." He says and I grab my earphones to tune him out. If I have to listen to his voice for another minute I'll pierce my eardrums with a set of chopsticks. 

I play my study playlist as I crack open my laptop and start on my essay for class.

Adele songs are so good, I wish she'd put out another bop. 

Love Song  begins to play and I sing softly to it as I work. 

At some point Peyton gets off the phone with Brendan and heads to the bathrooms, when she comes back she's no longer wearing a bra. 

As she should. 

I remove my headphones and pause my music. 

"So I have some news." I say once I finish my essay. 

Peyton pauses her show and turns to me. 

"What's it?"

"My dad is having some kind of get together to introduce me to his team." I tell her. 

"Really?" She asks, a smile on her face. I nod. 

I had already heard it from Asa but my dad texted me later. It was short fast and to the point. 

Dad: Wednesday you'll meet my star players.

See barely six words. 

I wonder who he'll introduce me to. 

I bet Asa will be there, he is quarterback after all. 

Probably Phoenix and Miles too. K.J. as well, but for the rest I am not so sure. 

"Oh and guess what day he picked?" I ask. 

She thinks it over before her eyes widen in understanding, "He didn't."

I groan, "He did and now I have pray that he'll make it short and sweet so I dont miss my time slot."

"Didn't you want to meet the players?" She asks. 

I shake my head, "I just wanted my own father to acknowledge my existence."

Even though it is nice that he is actually taking the step to introduce me to his players, Wednesday is just not the day. 

And he knows about Wednesday's.

Which is why I can't figure out for the life of me why he'd choose then to have the meeting. 

Either way he's making an effort so I should too, even if it means missing a week of doing something I love more than anything in the world. 

"Are you going to go?" She asks me and I nod, "Yeah, I mean you know how much I hate missing my time on the ice but I confronted him about how I felt and he's actively trying to do something about it. The most I can do is acknowledge it."

Peyton smiles, "Look at you being all mature and grown up. I'm proud of you."

"Me too." My smile turns into a smirk, "Now does this mean if I'm changing your changing too? Are you going to finally end it with Brendan?"

She throws a pillow at my face. 

I still won't give up, not today, not ever. 

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Edited