The dream, and reality

"Oh daddy!" You blurt out.

"It was horrible. They were all looking at me. Laughing at me. My panties were gone, and..." you stop suddenly, realizing just where this was going.

He looks at you for a moment, still rubbing the side of his head, and suddenly looking like he is trying to stop himself from laughing.

"It's okay sweety. It was all a dream. We need to go now though. Your mom is waiting in the car."

You look at him groggly, still half asleep.

"Go where?" He looks back at you with frustration.

"You know where we are going. We will be going out to the forest to go camping." He signs.

"And don't even start trying to argue with me. You may be 18 now, but you are still in high school and still living under my roof. You are going whether you like it or not."

You grab your phone off the table, then follow after him.

You decide not to bother arguing about it again.

You know it is true. This argument has happened more than once since he first told you that the family would be going on a camping trip, and even though you are 18, it is not like you could just walk out. You are stuck with your parents, like it or not, until you are off probation. Either that, or else end up in prison.

"Glad you made it," your mom says from the passenger seat.

"As if I had a choice," you grumble to yourself.

She sighs, then faces the front again.

"You might just enjoy it, if you let yourself," she says quietly, almost as if to herself.

Sensing your mood, both her and your dad let you stew in silence.

Your father turns on some music, an oldies station, and starts off.

You watch the city roll by, thinking of everything you will miss while you are away.

No movies. No books. No parties. No boys. So depressing.