College Student denied Return Flight

My boyfriend suprised me by picking me up at school in Ohio. I called Airline to inform them that I would not be taking the first leg of the flight and find out if that would cost me any extra money. They told me that I would have to pay $180 extra to cancel my ticket and change it. So I didnt take the first leg. I have now found out that they canceled my whole ticket because of not taking the frist leg of the flight. I have spent over 2 hours on the phone with customer service and they wont do a one time reinstatement of my ticket free of charge. In my inexperience with flying I did not know that they would cancel the return flight if you dont take the first part even if you call in. They told me that it was in the terms and conditions and when I went back to check the terms are so hard to read and understand I STILL can not find that information. Watch your back when buying tickets!