The Unexpected

24 || Screams

Most people think they have overbearing parents, but they don't. Your mom not letting you go into the city alone is not overprotective; it's common sense. Your dad wanting to meet a boy before he "takes you to dinner" is not insane; it's good judgement.

My mother flying halfway across the world without warning me is insane. My mother barging into my apartment and having my father inspect its safety conditions is overprotective. My mother calling to make sure I'm not with Michael or the other boys is ridiculous. My mother trying to run the life of her nineteen year-old daughter is the epitome of mentally unstable, but that doesn't stop her.

I've been living in what seems like Hell for the past four days. After my birthday party, Michael drove me home with all of my presents filling his backseat. I wanted to stay, but I knew my mother would be calling in the morning to arrange breakfast or something. She did.

Lying to Michael as he stood in my doorway ready to kiss me goodnight hurt. Yes everything is fine. No my parents being here isn't a bad thing. Yes they totally loved you. Yes we can all have dinner together sometime during their visit.

Lies. Every single one of those was a lie. Things are not fine; I feel like I'm going to explode from stress and worry and frustration. My parents being in Sydney does not have a single good thing about it. Michael is not totally loved by my parents, and neither are any of my other friends here. And the likelihood of my parents sitting down for dinner with him is slim to none.

Walking to their hotel this morning has my stomach tied in knots. This nauseous feeling can't seem to go away, and I feel terrible. The beauty and excitement of spring that's going on around me is a stark contrast to the despair that fills my brain. Each step I take is labored. The unpleasantness that awaits me is unavoidable. My chances of a mental breakdown are high. I haven't had a breakdown since that night at the club. I've been doing so well, and all of my progress is about to go down the toilet.

When I reach the entrance to the hotel lobby, I stop abruptly. My breathing picks up its pace and I spend several minutes trying to get it back to regular speed. I can do this. I don't have to live in fear of my parents.

A man opens the door, waiting for me to walk through. Warily, I begin to walk up to the lobby's front desk. I ask a thin, blonde girl whose name tag reads Layla where hotel's restaurant is. She gives me very vague instructions, and I wander around the decadent building until I stumble upon the place I'm supposed to meet my parents at.

I spot them immediately and head over to their table. They see me then proceed to stand up.

"You're late," my mother scolds.

"I got lost," I respond, not caring whether it's a sufficient excuse or not.

"Hi sweetheart," my father says as he smiles at me. I can't help but wonder how that poor, sweet man lives with being pushed around by this monster. I feel like he just eventually gave up like I have.

"So," Susan begins. I try not to roll my eyes at the fact that she's already turning what could have been a pleasant meal into a lecture.

"How do you like things here?" My dad asks, cutting her off. Laughter almost escapes my lips, but I know better.

"I love it," I gush. "I've never been happier. Everything is just so much more exciting here and I have so many more friends."

"Well, honey, your friends...they're not very, how do I put it?" My mom turns to my dad for help, but he doesn't dare aid her. He's going to let her crush me all on her own; he'll have no part in destroying my joy.

"Up to standards..?" I throw in, in a caustic tone.

"Exactly!" she says excitedly at the fact that we're on the same page. But we're not on the same page. We will never be on the same page.