Ghost Camp

Chapter 1: Priorities

"Are you even listening to me?" Ruanes father asked her as he's driving her home. "Yes, and I've already told you, I don't need to see Mrs. Clinton anymore" Ruane says. "I'm fine Dad, okay. I don't need some lady to tell me that."

"Yeah, and that's why I think you should start back seeing her." Her Dad continued. "You aren't fine. Ever since we stopped your appointments you've been pulling away again. Last night you didn't even eat and-" Ruane cut him off there and said, " That's because I wasn't hungry, not because of." She paused. "Your Mother." her Dad continued. Finishing her thought she added, " Just because I don't eat for one night, doesn't mean I'm depressed. Just because I don't want to talk about my day, everyday, doesn't mean I'm putting away. I'm a 16 year old girl Dad. 17 in a month. I'm okay, and you don't need to worry."

"Actually, I do." He protested. "It's my job to worry, and that's why I already set up an appointment with Mrs. Clinton for Saturday."

"Dad!" Ruane yelled in response.

"It's just one 30 minute session. She'll be expecting you at 3:30."

"I can't believe you did this without even consulting me! And what if I don't go?"

"Then you're grounded!"

"You can't ground me, I'm not a little girl anymore."

"But I am your Father, so you do as I say, not the other way around!"

Ruane and her father drove in silence for the rest of their trip. When they got home Ruane went straight to her room and slammed the door. She laid down on her bed, stared up at her ceiling, and waited. She just waited. Waited for her father to come in and apologize, and say that he'll cancel the appointment. As she heard foot steps coming up the stairs she sat up and crossed her arms, preparing for his entry.

The door opened and it was her Dad, but he wasn't there to apologize. "That was your principal I just talked to. Want to tell me why you've been failing a few of your classes lately?" He sounded both concerned and disappointed. "Not one A, or a B. Not even in gym." Ruane uncrossed her arms and said, "The classes are hard. Besides, everyone gets bad grades Dad." "Not you!" he continued. "What about your plans to go to college? If you fail this quarter then all that goes away."

Ruane understood what he was saying, but she didn't say anything. Her father, frustrated said,"You know what, I won't let you ruin your future. Until you get your grades up, and stop acting as if everything doesn't matter you'll be going to therapy every week." "Dad!" She shouted. "I'm not arguing with you about this. Get your act together and maybe we can revisit the topic!" He turned, closed the door and left her alone.

As she sat on her bed angry, Ruane got a text on her phone. When she checked it she saw it was from her best friend, Moxy. The text read,

"Hey, I've got some news."

Ruane answer quickly with,"yeah, me too."

"You first." Moxy said.

"Well my dad apparently started setting up more therapy appointments without even telling me. Says that I need to get my grade up before he stops them."

"How does he think therapy will help your grades?"

"I don't know. He thinks I'm depressed or something. Says he's worried about my future. The appointments start Saturday.