"We need to leave now, Dad. I don't want to be late for the tour," I yelled to my father downstairs.
"I'm coming, I'm coming!"
I'm starting my first year in college, and dad and I are leaving today. Holy cow, I'm excited. But also quite nervous. I live in a small town called Lorella in Oregon with my dad. I'm going to be attending The University of Stanford in Cali, so we really need to get going, if we are going to make it on time. It's a 7-hour long drive, so we gotta get going.
The car is stuffed to the rim when we finally began driving. We begin our journey with music, snacks, and some sleep. I have a pretty good relationship with my dad, so it is going to be hard to say goodbye. But I had worked too hard to get accepted, and even get the scholarship, to let this go. I need to do this for myself. Aaaand my dad would littery kill me if I didn't attend when I had the opportunity.
*****
"We're almost there now. You nervous?" My dad asks me.
"Yeah, but I just need to get settled in and stuff. You don't have to worry about me. I'm gonna be just fine, I always am."
"I know you will… Ooooh, my little girl is gonna be a college girl soon. Where the hell did all that time go?" He asks me, chuckling to himself.
"Dad… I'll always be your little girl and you know it. You're just trying to be sentimental now," I laugh him off, but deep down I agree with him. It was only yesterday, that I was his little girl spending my time with him 24/7. Now I'm 7 hours away from him.
"I know, I know."
Half an hour later we arrive at Stanford. Holy moly, we're actually here.
"You ready, honey?"
"Yeah... I'm ready, dad."
We park and walk to the reception, to get the key and dorm room number. I look around as we wait in line. It is really nice here. Lots of fresh air, nature, and beautiful old buildings are surrounding us.
"Name?" The lady behind the desk asks.
"Oh, Ruby Derman," I answer the lady.
"You're situated in the freshman hall. Here are your key and a map over the campus."
"Thanks," I say. Dad and I go back to the car and take a few boxes with us, before finding my room. 215. I like that number, now we just need to find it.
We head towards the freshman hall after getting some help from a stranger. When we find my room we go inside and check it out. Nobody's here yet, so I can choose which bed I want first. I quickly put my boxes down on the left bed. I don't know why it just has a nice vibe to it. The room was simple; Two beds, two desks, two small closets, and a mini-fridge. I like the mini-fridge.
Dad and I get the last boxes from the truck, and we are finally done. Now I just have to unpack. My classes are first starting in 2 days, so I'll have some time to settle down and buy the last things before then.
"Your tour starts in an hour, honey," Dad states.
"I know."
"So, I should probably get going. I've got a long way home."
"I'm gonna miss you, dad."
"I'm gonna miss you too."
I walk over to hug him one final time, in I don't know how long.
"I love you, Ruby," he said.
"I love you too, dad."
I have to admit, I was having a real hard time saying goodbye to him. Who's gonna wake me up in the morning, when I don't wake up, even though my alarm is beeping like crazy? Who's gonna tell me how great I look, so my confidence doesn't feel like I'm going down in a roller coaster? Wh- who's gonna be my dad?
"Alright, alright. I have to get going," he says.
"Okay, goodbye dad."
"Goodbye, Ruby. Promise me you'll call every day."
"I will, Dad, I will."
And with that, he walks out of my dorm room and drives away.