The Senior

Chapter One - Don't Stop Me Now

Emily's POV

My summer internship with Vangsness Magazine in San Francisco passed, and I returned home to stay with my parents for a few days. The morning before I left for my final year at Hartfeld, I woke up sleepily in my bedroom to a knock on my door. "Emily! Are you gonna be up soon, sweet pea? You slept through breakfast! Mom and I actually cooked," Dad said.

My mom's voice echoed from down the hall. "He means I cooked. He supervised," Mom said.

"I'm up, I'm up! Can't I sleep in while I still have the chance? I made the mistake of signing up for an 8AM class..." I said.

I sprung out of bed to open the door, and my dad stepped in. He took a look around the room, surveying the clothes and belongings scattered across the floor, then let out a sigh. "An hour before we have to leave, and you're not even packed? I'd say you're cutting it a little close," Dad said.

"Chill, Dad. Most of my stuff is at my apartment already."

"All right, all right. I just want to make sure my daughter starts her senior year off on the right foot."

"Senior year, I can't wait to graduate! Bring on the real word! I want to find my career, see the world..."

"Start a family...?"

"Dad!"

"I'm just saying, that relationship of yours seems pretty serious, and you're the one talking about the future!"

"Well, we're still several steps away from starting a family."

"You know, I'm happy for you and all, but don't grow up too fast, okay? Your old pops won't know what to do without you."

"It's not like I'm gonna forget about you, Dad. But if I could speed up time and graduate today, I'd do it. I'm ready for life to begin!"

My dad took another glance around my room, his eyes shimmering slightly. "I've got so many memories of you growing up in this house. It wasn't so long ago that you were just a little tot. And here you are now... My baby girl, starting her last year of undergrad... Your old man's proud of you, Emily."

"Aw, Dad. I couldn't have asked for a better support system than you and Mom."

He smiled and wrapped an arm around my shoulders, giving me a light squeeze. "Okay, kiddo, you'd better finish getting ready, or else I'll be driving you to Hartfeld in your pajamas."

I quickly finished packing and let my dad take my suitcase. After getting dressed, I followed him downstairs where my mom sat at the table, sipping a cup of tea. "Finally, sleepyhead. I thought we'd lost you for a while there," Mom said.

My mom smiled and set a plate down in front of me. "Good morning to you too, Mom. Dad's already teased me enough for sleeping in," I said.

"Don't mind us. We're just going to miss you," Dad said.

"I'm glad you were willing to stay with us this week before heading back to your apartment," Mom said.

"Hey, how can I say no to a week of free home cooked meals?" I asked. "But in all seriousness, it's been nice being home. I mean, Dad even took the week off work to spend time with me!"

"What can I say? They may have given me that raise, fulfilling projects, and a company car, but none of that compares to hanging out with my daughter," Dad said. "And besides, I hadn't seen you all summer. That internship of yours in San Francisco was awfully far away."

I frowned down at my plate, a pit forming in my stomach. "Well, at least you won't have to worry about me going back there any time soon."

"Oh, sweetie, I'm sorry Vangsness Magazine didn't offer you a job," Mom said.