“Do not bother taking a seat; I did not call you here to gossip,” The man spat. “Yes, Mr. Pierce,” James replied. Robert Pierce had made his life a living hell ever since he was 7 years old. Despite this, James felt no fear towards him, only well-masked rage. “A letter arrived for you today,” Robert continued, carelessly tossing the envelope at him. James picked it up and read the name on the back. Graham University. The number one university in the country, and among the top ten in the world. He had applied for a full-ride scholarship a few months ago and had been waiting for the letter to arrive. This letter could change his life. If James was accepted, he would no longer have to spend all his time running around after Robert and his spoilt kids. This letter could mean freedom from this hellhole, at least for a while. He opened the letter, hoping fervently that he would get accepted. His eyes skimmed over the first few lines before coming to one: 

Congratulations, James Murphy! You have been accepted into Graham University. 

"Well?" Robert said, interrupting his thoughts. "I've been accepted into Graham University, Mr. Pierce," He replied, managing to keep from jumping up and down. Robert nodded, emotionless. “You may leave now,” “Yes, Mr. Pierce,” James struggled to keep from smiling as he turned around. Little did the man sitting in front of him know that he was going to--“Oh, and one more thing," James paused, an ominous feeling settling over him. "I forbid you from going to Graham. That will be all.” “What?! You can't do that! I earned this scholarship!” James screamed. After a few seconds of silence, Robert stood up slowly. A vein in his neck throbbed, a sign that James had learned to recognize as a sign of uncontrollable fury. He began to speak very slowly and deliberately, putting as much contempt into each word as possible. "How dare you raise your voice at me? I've put a roof over your worthless head ever since that woman abandoned you. Even your whore of a mother had enough brains," he slapped the side of James' lowered head before continuing, "to realize that a useless bastard like you isn't worth shit. You're not going to Graham. Am I clear?" James was seething, but he knew that yelling would only worsen the situation. With all the self-control he could muster, he nodded. "Good," Robert said before shoving him away roughly. "Get the hell out."

As James descended the stairs into the basement where he slept, only one thought ran through his mind. There is no way in hell that I'm listening to that asshole. 

Roughly twenty minutes later, he had basically everything he owned in an old duffel that he had found in a random box. Now, he had to think of how to sneak out. At around 9 pm, a housekeeper that took pity on him would bring him some leftovers from dinner. He had to steal the keys to the basement and get to the ground floor, before finding a random window and jumping out. James smiled to himself, satisfied with the plan and anxiously waited for the clock to strike nine.