Prompt: Send In A Word, And I'll Write A Drabble Or Starter Based On It
Post-canon. Shelly is eighteen.
"Are you sure that you don't want us to drive down with you? You can't possibly carry all of those boxes yourself!" Sharon fretted.
Shelly rolled her eyes for the umpteenth time as she shoved her last suitcase into the trunk of her car. "Yes, Mom! I can handle a few stupid boxes! I can lift a piano, for Christ sake!" She didn't mention that Colorado State was crawling with hot guys who would be happy to give her a hand and that she fully intended to take advantage of that.
Sharon's eyes welled with tears. "I can't believe that my baby is leaving for college! Remember, you can call us anytime, day or night and we'll be there as soon as we can if you need us."
"Don't accept any drinks from strange guys!" Randy chimed in. "And if your roommate puts a sock on the doorknob, stay away!"
Shelly had to stifle the bitter laugh that threatened to escape her mouth. Now that she was leaving the nest, her parents suddenly decided that they gave a shit about her.
Shelly's eyes settled on Stan. While her relationship with her parents had remained stagnant throughout her teen years, her relationship with her brother had surprisingly improved. As she got older, she finally realized that it wasn't the turd's fault that their parents favored him over her. She might even miss him. A little.
"Remember what I told you, turd." Shelly said gruffly. "Steer clear of the seniors on Monday or you'll end up with a big red '9' in the middle of your forehead. And don't let any of those Middle Park assholes push you around. They think that they're hot shit just because they've dominated the Park County football team for decades."
Stan merely nodded at that.
"Bye, turd." Shelly punched Stan on the shoulder.
"Bye, Shelly. Uh… I'll text you." To Shelly's surprise, Stan (who, much to her horror, was now taller than her) quickly wrapped his arms around her. He immediately stepped back, almost as if he was afraid that she would start wailing on him.
At that, Sharon burst into tears. Randy started blubbering loudly.
Okay, maybe she would miss her parents too.
Shelly allowed her parents to hug her goodbye and slid into her car. As she pulled away, she couldn't stop the grin from spreading across her face. She was finally free. Her adult life had officially begun.