Most kids my age dread the end of summer vacation, but I've been looking forward to the end since day one. All the other kids get to go out, have fun, and make memories that they'll remember for the rest of their lives. Completely opposite to the isolation I’m put through every break.

What I would give to have one of those summer vacations again. To be excited about shopping for a new bikini to wear at the beach with my friends, where we would splash around in the ocean. Instead, I’m trapped at home and treated like a prisoner. The same as every year since entering high school.

Breaks are so lonely now. I need school so I can feel like a normal kid again, at least for a few hours.

My parents keep me under constant surveillance. Every time that I want to leave the house, one of my parents have to escort me. The only thing I can use the internet for is homework, and even then, it’s heavily monitored by them. As you can imagine, that makes it pretty hard to find any friends. Which is something they wouldn’t even let me have.

The last time I was allowed to have friends was in middle school. All of who I had to immediately drop upon being forced into a different high school as them. Now the only time I’m allowed to talk to anyone at school is when it’s class related. I’m afraid to even attempt at making friends these days, out of fear of how my parents would respond.

"Get up. You need to get ready for breakfast." is the way my mom wakes me up.

"Okay... I'll be down in a minute." before I can even sit up, she is already out of my doorway.

As with everyday, she went back down to the kitchen where she would wait for me while I got changed. And with both my parents waiting, I knew I had to rush. Making my dad angry first thing in the morning always makes the rest of the day feel unbearable.

My house is small, and my room is the closest to the top of the staircase. Rushing downstairs takes no time, and after I round the banister at the bottom, I see the same thing I do every day. My dad already sitting at the table, wearing the same grumpy look as always. I can't even remember the last time he smiled after he saw me.

I avoid eye contact as I pass him to get to the stove.

"Hurry up and finish breakfast." he says to me while I put on my apron "You don't want to be late for school orientation, and I don't have all day to chauffeur you around.”

“Yes dad.” is all I quietly say. He continues “Did you already pick out the classes you need to take? I want to be in and out of there as soon as possible. You better not waste my time again like last year.”

I’ve already began cooking when I respond "Yes I did. And I know where all of the booths are so I'll be able to sign up for all of my classes quickly."

The event we are referring to is one my school does at the beginning of every year. It’s a fair where kids select their classes by visiting booths set up on the campus. While some kids already have their schedule picked out, most like to visit the booths and talk to the teachers or students who participate in those electives.

Most kids my age come with a group of friends and spend the rest of the day together. Kind of like a last hangout before the school year begins. But since I don't have friends, my dad drops me off and waits in the car until I come back.

"Good." he grunts.

With my back turned to him, I feel brave enough to ask "Um I was thinking that, because this is my last year... could I maybe have the door back for my room? I think it would really help me with my studies if I were able to get some privacy."

He doesn’t even take a second to think about it "No. We already told you why you're not allowed to have a door and that's not changing now. You should be fine with studying, especially with me and your mom watching to keep you on track."

Well it was worth a try to ask... I hate not having any privacy at all.

We don’t usually talk when I’m making food. It’s only ever my mom standing by my side, observing me to make sure I don’t make any mistakes. It’s been like this every morning for a few years. They want to ensure that I have the skills to become a “proper wife” in the future. After I was taught the basics, I was made to cook breakfast and diner for them everyday as practice.

I actually do most of the housework now. It's half about punishing me and half about preparing me for my "womanly duties" after I graduate high school. But it's not like I'm going to let them still control me at that point. As soon as I graduate and turn 18, I'm going to run away and never look back.

Though I don’t necessarily have a plan for my escape at the moment… the only idea I have is to sneak away after I graduate and hitchhike my way West towards California. I can work odd-jobs here and there to make money and hope that I don’t get murdered on the journey.

I just have to survive one more year... then my life can start. I'll use my last year of school to make an actual plan to escape. Maybe I can even find a way to earn some money.

That all still feels so far away though. For now, the only thing I should really be focusing is making breakfast.

Which never takes too long to make, then serve to my parents. And with it being acceptable to them, I’m allowed to make a quick plate for myself with the leftovers in the pan. Though I usually end up eating it straight from the cookware. Especially on a day like today, where I need to get to school early. It also makes less dishes for me to clean.

Honestly, I've actually become pretty good a cooking. I mean, no one else eats it besides me and my parents, and it’s not like they ever compliment me or anything, but I certainly enjoy what I make. And with the speed at which my parents eat their food, I barely ever have time to eat a proper breakfast myself.

Once they’re done eating, they always leave their dirty dishes on the table, where I’m expected to clean up. The cleaning usually doesn’t take too long though. And with today being a day I need to leave early, I rapidly and adequately wash the dishes and leave them in the drying rack.

Then comes time for one of my least favorite parts of the day, the car ride to school. My parents take turns driving me and it’s always extremely awkward. No radio or talking, only silence for the majority of the time.

It’s sad, because I remember when I was younger, we would talk and play with each other all of the time. There actually used to be a time where I got along with both of my parents and I was happy. But those times are long gone now.

Today was no different. My dad was already impatiently waiting in the car when I ran out of the house to meet him. Then the whole ride there, he hadn’t said a word to me. I just looked down at the map of the school for the entirety of the ride, planning out my route.

“Okay were here now." my dad says as he pulls up to the drop off area "Remember, in and out quickly, and no talking to anyone more than you need to. You've behaved for 3 years now, so don't go messing it up by doing something stupid. You want to stay in mine and your mothers good graces right?"

All I wanted to do was get out of the car "You don't need to worry... I'm just going to sign up for my classes and leave."

He makes an unintelligible grumble as I open the door and jump out of the car.