Tell Them I Was The Warmest Place You Knew, And How You Turned Me Cold.

Grumpy Beginnings

Most kids when leaving to go to college are ecstatic. So excited because they are about to venture out into the world on their own to make their parents so proud of what they can accomplish. And most kids don't even want to go to college. They want to stay home and live off of mommy and daddy until they die I guess. Either way, I guess I'm not most kids.

   See, my father is the CEO of his own shipment firm, Drimm Inc. Creative name right? Well, seeing as his money overflows the common sense in his head, this summer he decided to enroll me into a Private Academy College right here in comfy old New York. And the best part? I didn't find out about it until two days ago when him and his little wife sat my sister and I down for dinner. That was the first sign something was up. Our family isn't functional enough to have a regular dinner with small talk and laughter. No, this was because there's big news. In fact, it was such big news that appetizers hadn't been served before my father blurted out, "You're attending Brimstone starting this fall semester, Ryleigh." 

When I say my head exploded, I honestly think it did. Because since those 7 words were spoken, it's like my mind is just not functioning anymore. Maybe it's the fact that I didn't want to attend Brimstone. I didn't want to attend any college within a two state radius of my father. Not including the overbearingness to strive for the best and the suck up princess privilege, my father wanted me to study business so that I may, one day, run his. Something that I would rather be homeless, than to do. 

  Now before you get all judgmental and start saying, "But your father just wants the best for you." and asking, "Why aren't you so appreciative of what he gives you?", you don't know the whole story. And hopefully nobody else ever does.

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"Ryleigh Bridgette! Come on! Haymich has your car pulled out front!" My father's voice boomed from downstairs. I sigh and continue attempting to close the smaller-than-I-expected suitcase. "I'll be right there!" I yell back, adding a quiet, "Don't get your panties in a twist." 

   By the time I succeeded in my personal suitcase mission, I got a good look around my now bare room. Hm. Nine boxes and 12 suitcases is all it took to make my old bedroom look like a bland tornado came through and stripped it of its homieness. Who would've thought? Now to take the last of my things and leave this room I called home for half of my life. 

"I'm still not even sure why I need to go to this particular school dad." I testified in an abrasive voice, trudging my bag down the silver staircase, "Why couldn't I go to Duke?"

   My father looked at me from the bottom step and then did our family's routine sigh while pinching the bridge of his nose, "We've been over this plenty of times Ryleigh. I want you close to me and the company so I can keep a look out on things. And not to mention it's the best private academy money can afford." His voice was assertive like all the other times I brought it up, yet I still have a nagging in the back of my mind thinking that he'll just let me win just this once. But obviously my time has not come. 

  A quiet aggravated groan reverberated through me as I continue down the stairs, and walk through the open foyer to the front door. Outside, parked directly in front of the house with a black SUV right on its tail, was my car. Now, I'm not a fan of my father flashing his money around, but I can say that it does have its perks. And this was the only one I choose to acknowledge. A white 2017 Dodge Challenger Barracuda I call, Roxy. 

I shuffle towards Roxy before throwing my bag into the back seat and turning around. My father stands on the steps with his wife, Natalie, at his side and my little sister Margaret clinging to her leg. They'd look like a perfect little family to any outsider.