You know that feeling you get when you wake up before your alarm, and you can just lay in bed and relax for a few extra minutes? I love that feeling. Everything is so peaceful. The house is quiet, the sun is just beginning to rise, and if you're lucky your parents got up early to make breakfast for you. Yeah… this wasn't one of those days. I was suddenly and rudely woken up by my 3 yr. old brother jumping up and down on my bed. Now don't get me wrong, I love my brother. He never ceases to make life interesting, but sometimes I an interesting life isn't really what I want. Right now, I would give anything for a boring, quiet, uneventful life.
"ROB ROB ROB! GET UP! GET UP! WE LEAVE TODAY!" As fast as he appeared, he was gone again.
I think he's more excited for me to go to college than I am. Or rather, he's excited to go on vacation. My parents decided that the only time a family vacation would work was after they dropped me off at school, so while I'm moving into my room, buying books, and starting class, they will be spending a week in Disney World. I'm pretty sure that isn't fair.
I'm Rob, in case you hadn't figured it out yet. I'm about 6 ft, blonde hair, and blue eyes. I run track and cross country, so I'm in pretty good shape; I also play volleyball, hockey, and swim for fun. Thanks to my 2 lifeguarding jobs over the summer, I also have a fairly nice tan without the awful tan lines some people have. I'm gonna be a sophomore in college this year, and let me tell you, I'm ready to get out of my house. When you go to college, you get used to making your own rules about when to eat, when to sleep, where to sleep, and so much more. Coming home for the summer kinda puts a damper on the whole "I can do what I want" idea. After a while, your parents start to get on your nerves. But hey, I can't complain too much. When I'm home I get free food, free laundry, and my wonderfully soft and large bed.
When I finally got out of bed, I made my way to the shower. That's another thing I'm gonna miss about home. While school has like unlimited hot water, the showers are crap. The pressure is non-existent and the settings are either very cold, or very hot. I took my time, and enjoyed my last shower at home. In fact, I might have enjoyed it a little too much, if you know what I mean. If you don't know what I mean, then this is just awkward.
30 minutes later, I was showered, dried, and trying to figure out what to wear. Finally settling on some American Eagle shorts and an All Time Low shirt I made my way down to breakfast. I love breakfast in my house. My dad always makes huge breakfasts on Sundays, as that's the one day a week we are all together. We really aren't a church going family, and one of my brothers normally has sports on Saturday, so Sunday works best. However, since it was Saturday and none of us were gonna be home on Sunday, he decided to cook breakfast for us this morning instead, and he didn't disappoint. Covering the table were pancakes, hash browns, bacon, eggs, and orange juice. Well, he didn't make the oj, but you get the picture.
When I got downstairs, everybody was just getting ready to eat; my mom and dad, Chris and Melissa, and my three brothers, Taylor, Alex, and Cody. Mom and dad met in college, and it was love at first sight. They both majored in psychology, and went on to start their own private practice. I don't want to brag, but they both make quite a bit of money. My brother Taylor is a junior in high school this year, and a star on the hockey team. He's on his way to breaking records. He said when he grows up he wants to be on the Blackhawks. It wouldn't surprise me at all if that happens. And then there's Alex and Cody, the twin terrors. You already met Alex. He looks just like me. Short spiky blonde hair, blue eyes, and never shuts up. Cody has brown hair and brown eyes, and like Alex, never shuts up. There is just something about these two kids. People look at them, and they fall in love. They could get away with anything. At the moment, they were both running around the kitchen with capes on, and my mom looked at me for help. For some reason, I am the only one those two will listen to. Once I grabbed them both and got them settled down, I sat down at the table and we started to eat.
During breakfast, I kinda zoned out a little. I was really looking forward to seeing all my friends from last year. Being from Chicago, and going to a school on the east coast, means that most of my friends from school are from out east. Even though I get to talk to them a lot, it isn't the same as seeing them. I zoned back into the conversation at the table just in time to hear my mom ask me to help with the dishes. I don't understand why we hand wash dishes when we have a dishwasher. It makes absolutely no sense. It's just like us cleaning our rooms before the cleaning lady comes. What's the point of her coming if I've already done her job for her? But hey, if doing the dishes gets me out of packing the car, count me in.
Mom and I got done with the dishes before Dad and Taylor were done with the car, so I went and helped them finish while mom tried to get Alex and Cody settled down and ready to go. Once everything was packed, our van and the case on the roof were both full. Yeah, we have a van. I mean, with 4 kids, 2 of whom are 3, you kinda need a van. But this van was fucking awesome, if I do say so myself. It's the new 2011 Honda Odyssey Touring Elite with all the gizmos and gadgets. Along with the van, my dad has a black Audi S5 and I have a yellow Chevy Camaro. And yes, it does look just like the one from Transformers. Unfortunately, I can't take it with me. Although sophomores are allowed cars on campus, my parents said I would have to pay for parking if I did bring the car. Totally not worth it.
Mom wasn't having any luck getting Alex and Cody to settle down, so once again I was called upon to help out. You know that scene in Cheaper by the Dozen, when they are trying to get the twin little boys into the car, but they won't listen to anybody? It was kind of like that. By the time I finally got them into the car and buckled up, everybody else was ready to go and the car was running. I climbed into the van, and over Alex and carefully as I could, and joined Taylor in the back seat. Even with the extra room of the storage thing on the top of the van, it was still a tight squeeze. The seat between Taylor and I had stuff on it, and floors were covered with other junk. Once I was finally situated and buckled in, we pulled out and started the long thirteen hour drive to school. The plan was to drive the seven hours to Pittsburgh and then stop there overnight. It was about half way between home and school, and therefore a perfect place to spend the night. As we pulled out of the driveway I noticed that Alex and Cody had already fallen back asleep and I decided to follow their example. I reached into my pocket and pulled out my iTouch and ear buds. Choosing the shuffle option, the first song that turned on was the acoustic version of Down to Earth by Justin Bieber. Not gonna lie, his acoustic album is so much better than the first two. I haven't admitted it to very many of my friends, but I'm kinda in love with him; figuratively and literally. Yeah… I'm gay. I told my parents last year and some of my closest friends last year, and they were all cool with it. It felt really good to get it off my chest. I can now be more myself around them, and I don't have to worry about them judging me.
As Justin's voice filled my ears, I leaned my head against the window and stared out at the scenery flashing by. I caught a couple glimpses of the lake flashing by, and soon the steady motion of the car began to put me to sleep. Not for the first time I was glad that I didn't inherit my mother's queasy stomach. If she even closes her eyes when in the car her stomach immediately starts to hurt, and she has to take deep breaths in order to keep from throwing up; totally not fun. I let Justin's voice fill my ears as my eyelids began to droop, and before long I succumbed to sleep, entering the dream world and leaving the real one far behind.