The Rebellion Project [Published]

Chapter 2: Live a Little

I placed my coat on a hanger by the front door, in its designated place, as I walked into the house. I couldn't fight the relief that washed over me, thrilled to finally be home away from my peers. My shoes were put on a mat my father had designated for our family' shoes years ago while I had been growing up. He had done it so when I came inside messy from playing I wouldn't track mud throughout the house, and infuriate my mother while I did it. I grew to accept that everything had a place, and should be in its place. At least that's how I was raised. The rules were strict at times, but it wasn't so bad, it kept me in line and I could think of a few classmates that needed it more than I did.

Even though some rules were strict, my mother had become more open minded and lenient as I grew up. She said I needed more freedom, more chances to make my own mistakes while I had them around. That way I wouldn't panic when I moved away to college and didn't have them around to help me. It was more than I could say about my father. He had a set plan for me since I was born, and I had grown to accept the plan over time. But a part of me still wished for more, for something different, because there is so much I want to do, and none of it included becoming a doctor.

I shook my head to get rid of those thoughts as I walked into the kitchen to join my mother while she cooked. I took my assigned seat at the table, and placed my bag onto the table with a thud as I slid into my place. She was so focused on her cooking that she didn't notice Parker walk in behind me, putting her shoes off to the side of the mat instead of on it, and roll her eyes when she saw me sitting down to do homework. She silently pleaded with me, hoping to convince me to go upstairs and do just about anything other than study.

I was about to give in and take a break before starting our homework when my mom spoke up and prevented me from leaving.

"It's good to see you're studying. Just don't forget to fill out your application for college today, it's due next week!"

"I know mom. I will get it finished," I said as Parker reluctantly slid into the seat next to me. She knew now that my mom had seen me set up to start studying and complete my homework she had no way of convincing me to leave.

"I hope so otherwise you might not get in where you need to, and then you won't become a doctor like you want to," she stated before she walked out of the room and ordered me to watch the pot to make sure it didn't boil over.

"Don't worry mom. I will get on it." I sighed once she walked out of earshot. I wanted to tell her that I didn't want to be a doctor anymore. That I hadn't wanted to be once since middle school. I'd rather do just about anything else because I got squeamish at the sight of blood, fainted a few times, and didn't see how I could make it through surgery.

Even when I was younger I had no interest in it, I only said that I wanted to be a doctor because I had played doctor as kids and I thought it was fun. Now I wish I had said I'd like to be a chef, maybe then I wouldn't feel as if I was letting them down if I ever worked up the courage to say I didn't want to continue living the life they had set up for me.

"Do they ever ease up about the college stuff?" Parker whispered, since she didn't know if my mom could still hear us enough. "I know they are due soon, but they've been like that since August."

"No they don't," I said curtly. I didn't want to start another discussion with Parker that they had been reminding me everyday for the last four months. I didn't like it, but I hoped that the nagging would convince me to get them done before winter break, and so far I was right. I had submitted the applications to four out of six schools, and should be done by this weekend with another. "Knowing them, they won't stop until it's done. They keep pushing until it happens."

"No wonder you skipped a grade. It's not like you had a choice. They probably would have made you do it anyway." Parker scoffed, and crossed her arms over her chest. She always thought I was too passive when it came to others, especially my parents. I had gone along with skipping a grade because it was easier than fighting them on it, but look how that turned out. I lost the friends I had before, became out an outcast, and spent all my time with schoolwork.