Camp Mirror Lake

"We'll see you later, Bee," Dad said as he kissed my head.

I groaned. How embarrassing!

Don't adults know anything? You don't kiss your kids when you drop them off at camp! (Especially if it doesn't even mean anything! Seriously! Who is he trying to impress out here in the middle of nowhere?!?)

"Dad, let's just get this over with!" I grunted.

Mom stopped hugging Ethan and wrapped her arms around me awkwardly. She did this hug like I'm a porcelain doll that would break if she held me too tight, or something... I didn't get it.

But then again, neither of my parents were affectionate with me. They were too busy making money, showing off for friends at parties, or making sure I knew that Ethan was the favorite child! (Not that I blame him, because I totally don't! It really isn't his fault he is the perfect child whilst I am the exact opposite!)

"Don't be a grouch, Bee. We'll see you in two weeks. This is your last chance to prove yourself. You know what happens if we find out you have misbehaved again!" She admonished.

Of course I knew! They took every freaking opportunity to tell me. It's not like I'm stupid and can't understand the words coming out of their mouths; I just tend to ignore them since I seriously don't care! I am almost an adult! (Not that that will ever be acknowledged as long as I live...But here is to wishful thinking!)

Ethan chuckled. "Don't worry, mom and dad. I won't let her get into too much trouble. If you send her off to boarding school in the fall, then I won't be able to protect her from herself!"

See! Best brother ever. He totally gets me! Especially when I need a buffer between me and my parents.

"Why can't you be more like Ethan, Bee?" Dad half joked.

Ouch! A deep frown appears on my face without my permission.

The problem was, they have only "half joked" that I needed to be more like my twin since I was two years old, and it was decided that he was their favorite!

Again! Don't get me wrong! I love Ethan. He is my favorite person. He gets me, even if he doesn't think I should be trying to get into trouble all the. He has tried to save me from my parents wrath for years. They expected me to be the "perfect daughter." They wanted someone responsible, kind, and honest. Basically they wanted a little doll to bend over backwards and do whatever they say so they can show me off to all their socialite friends and sell me off to the highest bidder.

But that wasn't not me.

I've been sneaking out to join my friends after curfew since I was ten! I haven't done anything that bad! I've never stolen, smoked, gotten drunk or anything like that... more like used my artistic abilities to spray paint some of the buildings down town, and teepee some of the jerks houses from school. I've only gotten in trouble three or four times for starting fights at school... Even though they started it!

I've had enough! I sigh, tighten my grip on my pack and face the beings known as my parents.

Instead of starting an argument, I said "Have a nice trip to Europe."

A condescending sigh escaped my mother's mouth. "I love you, Melissa. Just remember that, and we are only doing this for your own good. We really would prefer you not being sent to boarding school this fall. Do you know how embarrassing that is? Have a child misbehave so bad we have to send them away to get straightened out to act like a normal citizen?"

I was only half listing to my mother's rant. I hated how she could start out with a normal "I love you" and instead of just ending it there, she always ended up with how I am an embarrassment to the whole family.

Couldn't she JUST ONCE pretend like I mattered to her??? Can't she just stick with "I love you" and act like she means it? I mean, if my parents don't even want me around any more, then why am I still here at all?

I'm not suicidal or anything, but sometimes it seem like the only reason I haven't just kill myself is because I had an awesome brother who would be stuck with incompetent parents, and no one else to take care of.

He totally doesn't deserve that! I am not that selfish...

Okay, so maybe it was just me being selfish, hoping that he would miss me... And maybe he would be better off without me. I'm still up in the air about the whole thing.

"Did you hear me?"

Mom's shout brought me back to the present.

I totally didn't!

"Yeah, kay. See ya!" I said as I turned from the car and grabbed my gear.

I headed for the main office without looking back.

Ethan caught up to me with a smirk on his face.

"What?" I snapped.

I know it wasn't his fault, but still!

"You know, they really do love you, even if they can't seem to say the words. Right, Lissa?" he chuckled.

I stared at him.

"How did you know what I was thinking?"

"I always know what you are thinking. It's a twin thing," he joked with a wink.

He was right. He always seemed to know what I was thinking... Just like it seemed I could always feel what he was feeling.

"Anyway, I'm not actually sure they do love me. Maybe I'll run away before they come back to pick us up in a couple weeks..." I trailed off.

"And leave me behind? NO WAY! I need you... and well, even if I don't say it enough, I love you at least," he whispered.

I smiled at Ethan. He really was the "good kid" and I really did love him.

"Thanks," I choked out.

Ethan gave me a side hug as we continued to check in.

"We are gonna have an awesome time together! You'll see..." he insisted.

Famous Last Words... I said to myself.