Signal of Distress

1 - Familiar

~ Love Yourz - J. Cole ~
❤︎❤︎❤︎

Small world, oblivious minds
-Elijah Chambers

Weeks Later

"River! River! River!"

I roll my eyes taking out my earbuds. "Yes, dad?" I ask tilting my head to face him.

"We're here," he announces. I look ahead. Ridgeview University. "Ready kiddo?" I shake my head. I pull open my door and walk around to the back of the car.

Dad jogs up to me and helps me take the suitcases out. "I'm not happy about this," I grumble under my breath. He sighs.

"We've talked about this. I can't leave you alone and Ashlyn is nice. You've only met her once." Ahh yes the infamous bitch. Ashlyn, my step mom's daughter. An evil bitch is what she is, not "nice."

I throw my backpack over my shoulders and begin walking to the doors. "Look I love you dad but Ashlyn and Amelia are assholes." The truth sets you free, right?

"Language," Dad reminds me.

"I'm 18," I point out. He shoots me a look. "Sorry. They're buttholes. Does that work better for you?" I don't even know why he would marry Amelia. Out of all the girls he's dated.

He laughs, throwing an arm over my shoulders. "I love you, you know that right?" He says as we reach the elevator. I nod slowly. "Give it a chance. Who knows, maybe she'll grow on you."

We walk into the elevator and I click the third floor. "Highly doubt it," I mutter. I notice my sleeves have ridden up. I pull them down covering my scars.

The elevator dings and doors open. We walk out heading down the hallway. "Promise me you'll call me if you need anything," he says.

"Promise," I smile, hoping to get rid of his worries.

He nods but I spot the pity in his eyes. I hate pity. "Dad. I'm fine. I'm feeling better, I told you. It was a stupid mistake." I'm lying straight through my teeth right now.

He nods. "Alright, good." He leans down and kisses my forehead. Ever since my attempt, he's been overprotective. "Remember our agreement?"

"No drugs, no alcohol, no parties, no boys. No keeping sharp items in my room. I must be in my room by 11pm each night. No skipping classes and I'm here to learn and heal. Sunday night dinners at your new fancy house with the wicked witch of the west," I recite. He chuckles at my word choice to describe his new wife.

This is all a part of our agreement to let me go to school. Yes, I'm 18. But I'm also broke. Which means my dad is the only way I can get out. But he's even moved halfway across the country since this is my dream university.

I understand he wants to watch me, keep me safe and from harming myself. But moving across the country is a little much. Not to mention, I'm forced to share a dorm with my stupid step sister.

She reminds me of a Barbie doll. Fake, blonde, brainless and a toy people play with.

"Good. Thank you," he whispers.

I nod reaching the dorm. I pull the set of keys out of my pocket and push open the door. I walk in to see three bodies.

Ashlyn with her long blonde hair and blue eyes. And two other boys. Like I said before, Barbie.

"River?" A boy calls out as if he knows me. I never told him my name. His hair is dark, it almost looks black. Tattoos stamped all over his right arm and a few on his left. His gold chain dangling in front of his white shirt and a scar on his eyebrow creating an eyebrow slit.