Hi there,

My name's Angelica Hollis.

I'm 17, going to be 18 in a couple days. It's June 29th, and I just graduated High School four weeks ago. While most girls, and guys, who were in my class are all planning for college, checking out various campuses, getting their ducks in a row, and all that jazz, I'm over here struggling to convince my dad to even let me go to college.

This is my story…..

The dark cherry wood door to my room burst open suddenly, bouncing off the wall. In the now open doorway stood a 6'4, very angry figure. "Angelica! Stop fucking typing on that damn computer of yours. Get your ass downstairs and do the dishes like I fucking told you to ten minutes ago!" His blue eyes glinted hatefully at my position that practically screamed "I'm comfortable" on my twin sized bed, and his face reddened from his anger. If he was a cartoon character, his face would be exactly the bright red color of a ripe tomato, and grey steam would be puffing out of his ears and curling up over his head.

"Okay! Sorry, dad!" I apologized quickly, slamming the lid of my grey HP laptop shut and scrambling off my bed, abandoning the warmth of my dark blue comforter. He fixed me with one final glare before he stomped away. I waited until I heard his feet thump heavily down the stairs and the sound of his footsteps faded away before I let out a breath of relief.

"I half expected him to beat my ass," I muttered, snatching a hair band from off my cluttered cherry wood dresser. Literally all of the wooden objects in my room was made out of cherry wood, mostly because I had specifically requested to decorate my own room. Taking my hair band, I hurriedly tied my hair into a loose ponytail, checking it quickly in my full length mirror that sat right beside my dresser to ensure it didn't look too awful; before I too exited my room and thumped down the old, creaky wooden stairs. I suppose his outburst was my fault - I thought I was going to be able to finish writing before he got impatient and came up to get me. Oops.

My socked feet softly padded into the marble tiled kitchen, trying to ignore the venomous look that was boring into my back as I turned to the sink, Thank God there's not a lot… I thought to myself as I picked up the wash rag and immediately began to wash the dishes.

"Once you're done with that, I want you to walk downtown and pick up more gasoline for the car." My dad grunted as I heard the tell-tale crinkle of a newspaper being turned to the next page.

I opened my mouth to protest -why couldn't he just drive the damn car downtown and get the gas himself? - but then I shut it hastily; more than likely the dumbass had run the car dry again. Besides, I had avoided a beating just a few moments prior, I wasn't eager to goad him into performing such an act now.

"Of course, dad," I said, taking care to sound respectful as while also keeping snark from leaking into my tone. I scrubbed the last dish clean, dried it off, and placed it back into its rightful place in the cupboard. When I turned around, I saw my dad watching me carefully, his newspaper lying on the table, forgotten for the moment.

"I hope you're still not nursing those damn dreams to get accepted into that God-forsaken college," he said abruptly, his tone flat, expression instantly hardening.

"No, dad," I answered softly. It was lie, but, he didn't need to know that.

He silently scrutinized me for a moment longer. "Good," came the satisfied response as he once again picked up his newspaper and returned to reading.

I waited a second longer to see if he said anything further. When he didn't, I hurried from the room, dashing up the stairs, the wood once again violently protesting, in order to retrieve my phone and change my outfit. Mostly to ensure that I wouldn't get gas all over my new tank-top, just in case, God forbid, the fucking gas splashes all over me again.

Grimacing and keeping that….unfortunate incident in mind, I entered my room and picked up a faded red tank-top, making a slight face. Not very attractive...But it'll work for this occasion. I paused at that thought, letting out a loud laugh. Since when did I give a fuck about what people think of me? It's not like I'm gonna see any cute guys, and even then, those dicks aren't gonna look twice at me. I snorted in amusement, snatching a pair of black, nearly knee-length shorts off the floor before changing into the worn clothes.

I looked at myself in my full length mirror, turning from side to side. I took my hair band out of my hair, shaking it slightly, noting how the sunlight shining through the window seemed to dance through my hair, highlighting my red streaks that were scattered throughout my chestnut brown, shoulder length hair. The sunlight also hit my eyes at an angle, making my eyes shine a crystal blue, the darker blue that rimmed around my irises more apparent. I frowned, noting that the shirt drew a little more attention to my chest than I wanted it to. I was kind of flat, not as big chested as most girls, but that still didn't stop me from anxiously pulled at it, huffing in annoyance when it didn't help.

Admitting defeat, I grumbled, feeling quite irked. "Whatever, let 'em look.." I grabbed my hairbrush, running it through my hair briefly to get rid of rats before returning my hair to a loose ponytail. I picked up my phone and wallet, shoving them into my pockets, and made my way down the stairs again, pausing briefly at the entrance to the kitchen.

During that pause, I pondered if I should ask my dad for keys to get back in the house. After debating for several long moments, I came to a decision. Eh, nah, I'll be fine. I shrugged it off, slipping on my Nike tennis shoes on my way to the garage in order to retrieve the metal gas can. Once I had done so, I continued on my way by exiting via the side door that led into the garage from outside.

The moment I stepped outside, I was instantly greeted by the crisp, clean, cool air as the wind whipped the strands of my hair too short to fit in my ponytail into my face. The sun was glowing warmly, the sky was an impeccable azure, and fluffy white wisps of clouds skipped across the unblemished sky, their behavior akin to newborn lambs that were being pursued by an unseen force. The calm seemed to relax me - today seemed like a perfect day. Nothing could possibly go wrong.

Well, something probably will now that I jinxed it. I laughed lightly, beginning my journey to downtown in the not so little busy town of Queenstown, North Carolina.

Walking downtown from my house takes about twenty minutes, and getting to the gas station adds an additional ten to the traveling time - mostly because all traffic is centered around the dingy little joint, and getting to it is cancerous.

Today was unusual, however, as there was no traffic to be seen. That's strange.. I waved it off, despite the feeling of foreboding. People are probably at home enjoying some family time, nothing too unnatural. Although there was a significant lack of traffic, I still looked both ways at the pedestrian crossing. The light was a glaring red for the road I was crossing meaning the drivers were going to stop...Or so I thought.

The traffic lights swung in the wind, ominously creaking, as if at any moment they would snap off from their perch and fall to the ground below. Ignoring that oh so pleasant thought, I stepped out onto the crosswalk and was halfway across the street, when I heard the unmistakable roar of an engine. I promptly turned, startled because I had seen no other vehicles in the area, much less heard them. As such, I hesitated in my walk as a black vehicle, an SUV I assumed, came into view as it was barrelling towards me at a high speed. I felt panic surge into my chest, madly sprinting the rest of the way across the street. I had barely gotten out the way before the car whooshed past, tires scuffing the back of my heels.

"Hey!" I yelled, adrenaline racing, "watch where you're going, jackass!" The car didn't stop, and I wasn't sure if I was relieved or irritated. Part of me wanted to confront and beat the shit out of the driver for not obeying traffic laws and almost hitting me, the other part was fearful of what the driver may do to me. I sighed heavily, trying to calm my racing heart as I continued walking, carefully picking my way through the cracked and unbalanced cement.

When I finally reached the gas station building, I opened the door, and it squeaked like a tortured mouse in protest. As I stepped inside, I wheezed as the unwelcome scent of petroleum and various newly cooked gas station foods invaded my lungs, and I couldn't help but cough in disgust. If one tasted the two, they wouldn't really be able to taste the difference; I knew that because I made the mistake of trying gas station food. Never again. I shuddered at the disgusting memory.

"Getting more gas for your pops, Angie?" The 6'4 caucasian boy from behind the counter inquired as he noticed me walking up to him. He was a year older than me, four inches taller, had playful green eyes, short mahogany hair, and a great sense of humor. Meet one of my best friends, James Davisson.

I smiled warmly, "yeah, he goes through this shit hella fast." I handed him the gas can.

He shook his head, frowning slightly as he took the gas can, "why doesn't your old man come down and get his own gas?"

"I donno, James, probably 'cuz he wants me outta the house for a bit so I'm not driving him crazy." I laughed. James smiled slightly, bowing his head as he walked away to fill up the gas can. He was only person who really knew about my life at home, and my life at home wasn't exactly…..perfect.

I took the opportunity to wander around the store before he came back, admiring all the new arrivals of various foods. I eyed a chocolate bar on the shelf, mulling over whether I wanted to spend the $2 to buy it, before I plucked it from it's perch and headed back to the front counter. James came out from the back and grinned when he saw the candy bar.

"Here ya go, and you can have that on the house." He set the newly filled gas can on the counter and gestured to the candy bar, winking as he did so. "It'll be our little secret."

"James, I couldn't possibly-"

"I insist," he said, looking me in the eye, "it's the least I can do."

I bit my lip hesitantly before sighing, and he grinned triumphantly. "Alright, you win. What's the gas gonna cost this time?" I fished my wallet out my pocket and pulled it out, looking at him.

"$20, it was $21, but you get a dollar discount for being so darn 'perty," he smirked teasingly, and heat instantly flooded my face. I handed him the cash and picked up the gas can, pocketing my wallet and the candy bar. "You still tryna' convince dadster to let you go to college?"

I frowned, glancing down, "yeah.."

James sighed heavily and I looked up, my blue eyes meeting his green ones. "You'll convince him sometime soon, Angie, I know you will." He gave me a reassuring smile.

"Yeah, thanks for the support." I gave him a grateful smile. "Bye, James, thanks for the food." I waved, trudging out of the store.

"See ya, Angie!" He called before the door clanked shut behind me.

I stepped outside, inhaling deeply, glad to be back in the fresh air. I honestly couldn't understand how James could stand inhaling that shit all day. Practice, lots and lots of practice...Obviously, or he just really likes the combination of the two….There was suddenly a loud purring, as if there was a giant cat being given a tummy rub, that, or…..maybe just a really happy cat.

I frowned, what the hell is that? I kept walking, but paused when I got back to the pedestrian crossing, listening intently, trying to determine where the sound was coming from.

There was a loud purr again, and this time it sounded as if it was coming from the alleyway across the street. Of course the alleyway has to be shrouded in shadows, that's not ominous at alllllll…

I bit my lip nervously, glancing down the street which I was supposed to be walking down to return the gas can. I could walk home and give my dad the gas can, and hope that he would let me leave again and pray that the source of the purring noise was still there.

Or…

I could investigate now, just a peek, wouldn't even have to stay.

I weighed my options, torn between the two, when the purring noise sounded again and promptly made my decision for me.

I struggled as I practically dragged the metal gas can across the street, the metal protesting with loud clanks, mentally rambling off my thanks that I didn't have to deal with avoiding another speeding maniac.

When I finally got to the alleyway, I was heaving and out of breath. There's no point in lugging this damn thing further.. I decided, setting the can at the entrance of the gloomy alleyway.

The town may be dingy, but make no mistake, pretty much all of the inhabitants were loaded - they were just too damn lazy to fix their town.

Concluding that caution was the best course of action, I carefully, but swiftly, headed down the alleyway towards the source of the noise. Expertly scurrying from dumpster to dumpster in order to conceal myself in case there were people around.

I doubt that they could make the noise I was hearing but ya know, better safe than sorry.

I soon noted that I had reached the end of the alleyway, and as I peered around a particularly tall dumpster, I gasped audibly as I saw the source of the noise in front of me.

It was a red lamborghini.