"Look Melissa, that's a music box. If you pull that- yes! oh you are a natural!"

My mom smiles as we play with a music box.

"Happy birthday, my beautiful girl." 

Beautiful girl.
Beautiful girl.
Beautiful-
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
I scream as I shoot out of bed. Dad comes running into my room. "What happened?" he says, frantically.
"Nothing." I say, lifting myself out of bed.
"You sure?" Dad says, helping me up.
"Yeah. It was just a bad dream." I say.

"Aw. I'm sorry, honey but hey! My parents are coming over. You love seeing Grandma and Grandpa."

He has a point.

I love seeing them.

They're my everything.

Well Dad is my everything but they're too.

Dad leaves the room as I get dresses and peek out the window.

Skateboard Girl is riding outside again. I've never actually talked to her but she is always outside.
It's kind of werid.

I see a missed call from Rosita. I click on it.

She picks up the second ring.
"Mel?"
"Yeah?"
"Carlos just asked me out!"
"Oh my god, Ros!"

Ahhh, Carlos Gomez. Rosita's forever crush.
She has been crushing on this guy for YEARS.
He's hot for a guy. I'm lesbian though.

Rosita is straight but not the girly girl straight girl.

Rosita is a full on feminist and LGBT ally. Her sister is a trans girl.

She also volunteers and runs protests. She's the coolest straight girl and only straight girl that I like.

"So how did he ask you out?" I ask.
"Just casually. I mean I think I'm dead, Mel."
"You're not dead. Carlos asked you out!"
"EEEE, HE ASKED ME OUT!!!!"

I stay on the phone with her for a few minutes untill she hangs up.

Dad is already waiting for me when I get to the kitchen.

He is holding something.

Shit.

It's my acceptance letter.

From New York.

"What the hell is this?" Dad yells. He looks like he might cry.
"I got into Queens College."
"Yeah, I see that."
"Dad, I meant to tell you."
"That you're leaving for New York after your birthday. Melissa that is in a week!"
"I know, I just_"
Dad holds up a hand to stop me.
"It's in New York. That's so far."
"Dad, I'm growing up."
"Melissa, I know but_"
"Stop."
Dad looks up.
"I'm going. I don't need your blessing."
"How will you_"
"Mom left me money and it's enough."
Dad's face falls.
"Okay but this conversation isn't over."
I put my hands up as I walk away.

I walk to my room and I slam the door. I see Skateboard Girl outside.
I pull down my window.
"SHUT UP." I scream even though she isn't saying anything.

Skateboard Girl looks at me and flips me off.

Just like that.

Great. Everyone hates me.