In Your Dreams

Chapter 1

I finally stepped off the plane in California. After the 3 hour flight, I tiredly wandered through the terminal and saw my father at baggage claim. I was thankful that he came to pick me up and drive me to my college campus. From the airport it was a two-hour car ride so the drive was definitely out of his way. However, he insisted on helping me, so I tried to shake off any negative emotions he gave me.

My father stood there in his lavish suit, as if he just came from an important meeting. He looked down at his watch, impatient to see me. Next to my father was a tall, slim man with a paper sign that read Miss Baker. Right away I knew that it was the chauffeur my father had hired.

My father sees me as I walk up to them and grins. I held my hand out to greet him with a handshake. He hesitates, unsure of my formal behavior, but after a moment grabs my hand to shake it.

It's great to see you again, dad, I announced, painfully aware of how awkward it was to give him such a meaningful and important title.

He replies with likewise. how was your flight?

I smile and say It was fine, a little turbulence, Sweetly, trying to get him to stop prying.

The chauffeur says Miss Baker, Ill take your bags please.

I nod and allow him to take the handles of my two suitcases.

My father says Well let's get a move on, it's quite late already and we have a two-hour drive to your college.

Its only 7:30, its not that late, I replied teasingly, trying to make the situation less tense.

That may be true but by the time we get to Willcreast itll be around 9 o'clock. my father snapped back.

He looks at me and then to the chauffeur.

Well lets be on our way then. He says, a small smile returning to his face, as if he didnt just shut me down. We walked to the car in silence. Every step of the way I contemplated running into ongoing traffic to escape the uncomfortable silence. But we reached the car and the chauffeur opened my door to let me in.

I sit looking down at my phone as they climb in, the chauffeur in the driver's seat, my father in the passenger seat. The car pulls out of the parking lot and we drive onto the highway. My father turns around in his seat.

So, whatve you been up to kiddo? I looked up at him, unsure of how to answer. Does he want me to just have a normal conversation with him?

I sigh, well you know, I've just been getting ready to move to college. My hands shuffle through the bag at my feet, feeling for my earbuds. Another awkward silence.

Hows your mom doing? Why must he ask all these questions? I pull the earbuds out of my bag and try to answer in a way that gives the least amount of information.

Shes good. I put my earbuds in before he could say anything else. He gets the message and turns back around.

The disdain I experienced whenever my father looked at me was overwhelming and raw. Resentment welled up in my heart like black tar. I wanted to scream every terrible thought that burned me from the inside at him. My desire to hurt him like he hurt mom and me when he left. How could someone be so heartless?

My father was the only thing that could wind me up in such a hateful way. I turned up the music on my phone to distract myself from the pervasive thoughts. Closing my eyes, I slowly eased back into my seat and let the song carry my mind away.

The next time I opened my eyes we were driving through the campus. I pulled the earbuds out of my ears and watched the buildings go by through my car. Emotions build up in my chest as the realization that my whole life is about to change settles in. Im nervous, yet hopeful for the opportunities that I'll experience.

The car pulls up to the building my dorm is in. Without hesitating I open the door and get out. The sun is setting and the hot summer air is starting to feel comfortably warm. For a second, everything feels like it'll turn out fine.

Then my father speaks.

I hope you like it here. Now that you live in California well be able to see each other more. he pauses, then continues.

You, know what? Let's go out to dinner once a month! It would be great to catch up with you more often. Plus youll be able to see your siblings. I make an awkward smile and rub the back of my neck. Im not even related to them so why should I care!, Is what I want to scream at him. But I can't say no. Id be a terrible daughter if I did. It feels forced but I say, Yeah... yeah that would be nice.

Then its a plan. I'll text you when I'm available. The chauffeur takes my bags out of the trunk.

Ill carry your bags to your room.

Thank you, bye dad.

I sling my backpack over my shoulder and wave to him.

Bye sweety. And then Im stepping into the building, leaving him behind.

When I get to the room number that matches the key I was given I say thank you to the chauffeur and he leaves. Room C201. The key goes in with a little push and I open the door.

Thanks to my dad I was able to afford the more pricey dorm rooms. I still had a roommate but we had a small kitchen with a barstool island and a living room when you first walked in. After that there are two rooms down a small hall with the bathroom at the end.

I could tell my roommate hadnt arrived due to the lack of things around the dorm. I looked in either bedroom. They were the same, containing just a bed, a desk, and a closet. so I picked the room closest to the living room.

I set out all of my belongings around the room and put my summery yellow sheets on the bed. Once everything had its place the room felt less like a jail cell and more like my room. A drawn-out, weary sigh escaped my lips, releasing my built-up tension and replacing it with a somber state of mind.

It was a relief to finally be alone and relax after so many hours of traveling. I should call my mom or friends and tell them I'm at the dorm, but I'm exhausted from moving and just want to sleep. I decided on sending my mom a text to tell her I'm safe and in my dorm. I plug my phone in, throw on a t-shirt and pajama shorts, and crawl under the sheets, blocking out the world.

Word count 1,170