When Theodora woke up, she was lying in a bed in a small white room. Theodora knew this room. It was the school nurse's office. She had been here three times before: once when she had gotten pink eye, once when she was throwing up, and another time when she had sprained her ankle. Needless to say, she was not very fond of the place.
"What's happening?" she said, blinking groggily. She felt a hand clasp hers. Theodora looked up and saw Ian's smiling face staring down at her, and suddenly she remembered everything.
"Y-you tried to propose to me," she murmured.
"It must've shocked you," Ian chuckled, "because you fainted."
"HOW COULD IT NOT SHOCK ME?!" she shrieked. "WE'RE IN HIGH SCHOOL, IAN! WE'RE SIXTEEN!"
Ian winced; his girlfriend had never raised his voice at him before.
"We're more mature than most kids in our grade," he said sternly. "I could keep going to school and get a job on the side, and you could stay home and take care of our house. You and I are ready, Theodora..." His voice trailed off, and he looked into her deep brown eyes. "We're ready to conquer the odds."
"You really think you could get a good, stable job at sixteen? With your qualifications?" she scoffed. "You wouldn't make enough money to support us, nor would you have enough time to continue your studies. And what about MY studies, Ian? Am I supposed to forget about MY dreams while you chase after the light, and leave me in the dust? Huh?" She shook her head. "I've never known you to be so selfish..."
"And I've never known you to be so bitter! Are you saying yes, or not?"
"No!"
Fire flashed in Ian's eyes as she spoke that word. "Then I guess it's over, Theodora."
"Fine by me!" scoffed Theodora. "I'm tired of yours selfishness anyways! I won't be controlled anymore, Ian!"
Ian nodded, his lips pursed, and with that he slammed the door behind him without looking back once at his ex. As soon as he had left, the pain of what had just happened started to sink in and Theodora began to sob.
"Why am I crying?" she thought to herself. "I'm free of him... I'm free..."