Page 10 of Your Side of the Offense

I wish she'd just stop talking about it. Dad is visibly tense. This isn't one of his favorite topics either. He was home when I came in that day crying. And he has had to be involved more than he’d like. He found the boys trying to sneak into my room after we broke up and almost lost it.

"Liz, drop it," he says with an annoyance simmering under his words. My father was very disappointed in them. Some would have expected him to feel some kind of way about me dating four boys at the same time, but he didn't give us much grief. Until they broke my heart, then he most definitely wanted to shake them. He even stopped going to golf with their fathers until we came back from holiday. And only then because me and mom had to trick him into it.

The car falls into silence and we get my bags after we park and head for our flight.

We are in Barlem in three and a half hours. It's not too far from home, but it will do. At least here I can prepare to receive my family even when I'm skunk drunk, which I plan to do. We drive to campus with the rental. My parents have planned a little getaway to the beach after they get me settled.

They never miss an opportunity for alone time.

3

CONVERSATION STARTER

Summer

When we have everything sorted, they help me with my bags to my dorm, which is a cool eight floors up. Not looking forward to the day something happens to the elevators. When we get to my room, we hear some music next door. It would seem I have a rowdy neighbor.

"Looks like you won't be sleeping much," my father comments.

The door swings open and Jocelyn Flores by XXXTentacion comes spilling out. Please don’t be an emo kid, I don't have the energy to deal with a morose person.

As my dad fights with the lock, my neighbor comes out and I'm happy to see she does not look like an emo kid. The gorgeous brown girl has eyes so big and bright, they look like they’re twinkling. With a bright smile, she approaches.

"Hi!" she says, a slight Indian accent jumping out and I smile at her. I love different accents so much. A plus in my book already.

"Hello, young lady." My mother greets her and my father opens my door.

"You must be my new neighbor. I'm Hazel from Toronto." She extends her hand, and I take her hand first. She seems enthusiastic and forward. I am going to need as many friendly people and acquaintances as I can gather.

"I'm Summer, and these are my parents."

"Nice to meet you." She shakes their hands.

"Are you a freshman too?" my mother asks as we roll my bags inside.

"Yes. Actuarial Science major," she says with a big grin.

Somebody is happy to be here. And now I feel like I am the underwhelming one.

My parents' faces morph to being impressed, bordering on pride. The fuck? I give them sideways glares when they look at Hazel like they wish I was her.

"Well, we have a few bags, but I will come around when I'm done," I say when we walk out.

"You don't need help?"

"Nah, it's the last trip. We'll manage." I smile.

"Alright, nice to meet you. I will take good care of your daughter," Hazel offers.

My parents laugh. "Good to know."

After we finish carrying my bags and they help me with the little things, I see them out after they say bye to Hazel.

"Is there a way you can still take online classes instead, Su?" my father asks as he bear hugs me for an extended time. I let him because I'm their first bird to flee the nest.

"Dad, it's not happening. These college parties aren't going to go to themselves," I joke, but his frown says he takes it seriously. I mean, I'm not kidding, but I am.

"You are going to make your father kidnap you and I really want to go to the spa this afternoon," my mom says pulling me into her arms. I just chuckle and she kisses my cheeks after.

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