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Today was December 27th, Tuesday. 5 days from moving to California, I don't start school until the 16th of January. I had asked my dad why we were going so early since I had 3 weeks all he said was "to give us time to adjust to our new surroundings" I really didn't care about the 'surroundings' I've moved so much I just stopped caring in all honesty I just didn't want to move. I like seeing new places and going on adventures but I didn't want to leave half way through my Junior year and possibly be behind, it stresses me out to much. But I don't say anything because I blame myself, for my mom leaving. If I hadn't been born or would've been a better daughter then maybe my mom wouldn't have started drugs and would have never left and they would still be a happy couple whether it was in Melbourne or in Rhode Island. The least I can do for my dad is do as he asks without giving him a hard time.

I was in my room reading Michael Faudets "Dirty Pretty Things"(one of the only poetry books I actually enjoy reading) when I heard my dad call me down the stairs. 

"Al, come down stairs please," he asked in his normal formal voice. Al is a nickname he gave me when I was 5 because I hated my name I thought it sounded to girly my dad had just laughed and said "okay, Al" I told him I liked it and it just stuck sense then he usually calls me by my whole first name when he's mad or introducing me to a colleague or friend.

"Okay, dad" I replied as I placed my book down and started walking towards the stairs

"What do you need?" I asked as I found him in the kitchen packing our plates and utensils in a 'Give Away' box. "Why are you giving away our plates don't we need those to eat?" I asked curious as to what he was doing.

"Hmm?..... oh I'm just getting rid of these, I thought we could just get new ones when we got to the new place. You know sort of like a fresh start," he asked more like a command rather than question.

"Oh.. well that sounds okay but, what's wrong with these ones? wouldn't it be less expensive to just keep those?" I questioned.

"Al, if you add up the cost to ship them to the new house it's not even worth it and we have way to many anyway its just the two of us we don't need twenty plates." he said in a tired voice, I guess he didn't want to deal with my fussing today.

"Oh, okay sorry I just wanted to know... anyhow what do you need?"

"It's fine. I just wanted to ask if you were almost done packing?" He asked as he raised his eyebrow. 

"No, I don't want to pack my room just yet since we don't leave for 5 more days but I finished packing my bathroom and the living room. Are we taking the couches?"

"No. We can just buy new ones once we get there, we're going to leave them here for the new owners they bought them with the house and you should probably pack your room now we're leaving in two days not five," when he told me this I started getting angry because he knew Savannah, Sam and I had planned to hang out Today and tomorrow Savannah was going to sleep over.

"Why! You said we could leave Sunday because I needed to say bye to my friends and since I don't start school for 3 weeks why now? Why in two days?" I asked getting frustrated.

"Albany, watch your tone with me!" he yelled clearly getting upset with my behavior "I would like to move into My home and get ready and unpack before I have to start work Monday. I'm sorry I ruined your plans but life isn't fare, Albany. You don't always get what you want.." he sounded almost defeated once he ended his sentence. I couldn't help but feel like he was talking about my mom and was blaming me for what had happened.

I felt hurt and couldn't stand to be in the same room as him without yelling so I ran up to my room ignoring him calling my name. Once I slammed my door shut I laid down on my bed, grabbed my phone and called Savannah.