Family Matters

Yesterday was hectic. I woke up at two, realizing that I had to go school shopping. I went and told Dad, who was at Jess's house with the guys playing D'n'D. He told me Jess would take me. I was a little disappointed, but I agreed. But apparently, Jess was with Jenn shopping in Clairemont.
I passed the time by making a list of the things I'd need. I asked Dad to sign it, because Jess normally didn't believe I would need colored pencils or markers. Dad looked it over and instantly crossed out 'gum' and 'Cotton Candy Perfume.' I was hurt because I chew gum in class to concentrate, and I wear that perfume all the time. I seriously hate the way I smell without it. But obviously I didn't say anything, because it was a stupid thing to fight about. Vern's dad said something about how I was trying to manipulate Jess and didn't deserve the items on my list. He meant it to be funny, but it really stung.
When they got home, Jess told me that Jenn would be taking me. I nodded and went to the house and informed Jenn (who was feeding Nik) that we'd need to go to Big Lots and Walmart. When she asked me how we would pay, I told her that Dad would probably give us some money. She told me to go ask Dad for the money so we could leave sooner. I did, and Dad told me that he wanted to give it strait to Jenn, right after Big Vern said something about how I would get her to buy me things I didn't even need, and how- again- I would manipulate my sister. I told Dad that he could just give me the money- or TRIED to, anyway- when Big Vern kept saying, "Nope, she's lying!" Every time I tried to say a word, he'd cry, "No, she's lying! Lier!" I couldn't get three words out. Finally I just fucking gave up because Big Vern wouldn't let me say anything.
I told Jenn I couldn't get the money, and she sent me back. So when I got there, Dad told me he had expected Jenn to pay, and then he would pay her back later. When I told Jenn, she promptly told me that she didn't want to discuss her financial situation in front of everyone. I thought that was awesome, I don't know why, but I really liked her saying that, because it called out that Dad was being an ass about it.
When I told him, he remarked he wasn't asking her to do that. Meanwhile, Big Vern started in on me AGAIN. He told me I should be paying for this myself, and that I should get a job. When I told him politely that I was too young to legally have one, he said something about babysitting, carwashing, and begging. I shook it off like it was all a joke and pulled my trench coat closer. He then started laying into me about wearing a trench coat. He complained it was too warm and that it didn't look good. That hurt. I thought it looked good, but it smashed my confidence. I was freezing because I was still sick, and both houses had the air conditioning full blast, but I took off the coat anyway.
While this was going on, Jess and Dad were talking about Jess taking me shopping and Dad would pay her back later. Jess was obviously tired and was making a huge deal of it. Dad evidently noticed, because he was insisting, "No, I can take her." Jess replied, "No, I'll take her, because she HAS to go RIGHT NOW." That hurt. I replied that I didn't have to go RIGHT NOW, I just had to go TODAY, and that I was fine going with Dad. I went to tell Jenn she wouldn't have to take me.
When I came back, Vern asked me what was so busy in my schedule that I couldn't go later. I told him about the APEC parties, registration, Jenn's birthday, and the Doctor's Appointment. He made a comment on how I could go after registration; I rolled my eyes playfully and was about to respond when Big Vern shouted, "Oh, you should have seen the look she just gave you!"
I was pissed, so I got up to leave. I didn't want to be there anymore; Paul made a remark to Jess that I should be smacked, Jess was telling me that she'd take me (still) because I had to go right now, and Vern was just shaking his head laughing at his dad, who was now doing impressions of me.
I was at the door when Big Vern yelled, "Oh, she's mad!" The instant I slammed the door I started crying. I hated it in there! It's one thing when I'm getting bullied by someone- I can take that. When I'm getting bullied and everyone's agreeing- that's harder, but I can take that. But when people I consider family and love with all my heart treat me like I'm a snobby bitch, and then let someone (Vern's dad) fuck with me without saying a word or standing up for me, that's the fucking worst. I couldn't stop crying. I tried to stand up for myself but everyone was telling me he was just kidding, that I was wrong for getting so upset, that he was just playing.
I walked up Rattlesnake Hill sobbing. I was cold because I was still sick, and I wanted to go home, but I didn't want to go back and have everyone tell me I was being a bitch and that I shouldn't take Big Vern's "jokes" so seriously.
I walked through Old Poway Park and took the backroads to Hilleary. I didn't want anyone I knew drive by and see my mascara running because I was crying so hard. I mean, you might not think it's a big deal, but my Dad and Jess are two of the people I look up to the most-especially my Dad- and to have them treat me like a snobby teenager and make me feel like less than a person is horrible. And they just laughed at Big Vern's jokes; I always thought Daddy would be the first to defend me when I'm about to cry. But evidently not.
I got lost in a few neighborhoods. You'd think that after an hour I'd be done, but I wasn't. I finally ended up on Andrew's doorstep. I didn't really want to go there- honestly- but I was REALLY close to passing out because of my illness. I mean, my eyes started doing that weird-color flash thing, which is the worst sign to tell you to fucking just sit down. I actually hoped I would pass out in a ditch somewhere so it wouldn't be my fault for not coming home.
Andrew was really supportive. He actually made me feel like a human being again, not a snob teenager whose only purpose is to run messages from Jess's house to mine. I really should have stood up for myself and said, "I'm sick and I shouldn't be running these messages." But Big Vern would have probably called me a lazy worthless teenager, and everyone would laugh. I'm not being morbid, sadly; I'm being truthful.
Anyway, so I cried in Andrew's arms for a good forty-five minutes. I apologized profusely for dragging him into my problems and proceeded to walk home. Five minutes after starting home Andrew came running up and told me he wasn't letting me home alone. We walked quite slowly (I didn't want to go back) and took the back roads.
We were almost to my house when I was almost run over. I jumped back and realized it was Damian. Apparenly he came to my house looking for Andrew, and they told him to get me home because I was in trouble. Josh was orgasming on how much trouble I was in. He kept looking back and smiling, and saying things like, "You're sooo busted!" and "Oh my god, they'll make you break up with Andrew!" He stopped after Andrew punched him in the cheek. Andrew held my hand the entire time and kept telling me it was okay, that he was here for me. Sometimes that boy is the only thing keeping me going.
I got home; Jenn and Chris were pretending to be busy, but it was obvious they were paying attention to my (and Dad's) every move. Dad looked like a bug. His eyes were all bulgy and his lips puckered. It was so hard not laughing.
He did the normal questions ("Where were you?" "Why didn't you tell anyone where you were going?") I started crying again. I really felt like the victim. He was the reason I wasn't home in the first place, and now he's sitting there blaming me, still thinking I left because of SHOPPING.
He calmed down after a while, and I sort of told him I got upset over Big Vern's comments. He told me I was wrong to feel that way and that everyone knew it was a joke.
Stupid me.
They then told me to take some: Tylenol, Vikadin, Nyquil, and wine. To sleep, so I could get up on time. Chris later handed me the Vikadin, which I immediately discarded. It's really sad that they pretend to care about me, but don't mind giving me illegal substances, and medicine I don't need. I took a nap at nine and woke up around twelve. I didn't take any of the medicine. Oh, well. Through the medicine thing Jenn was on my side anyway. She looked as shocked as I felt that Dad didn't mind drugging his small daughter.