Stars got tangled in her hair whenever she
played in the sky.
- Laini Taylor

"Sam, think about this for a minute!" I heard my mother yell down the hall, followed by her footsteps as I unlatched my black leather suitcase. "Samantha Rose Carver!" I turned to my mother's blazing blue eyes as she stood in the door way. "A road trip? With Emily Ciphers, Kaleb Noman, and Hazen Linback? Are you serious?" She folded her arms, waiting for my words. I nodded enthusiastically, my smile growing wider and brighter at the thought of it.
"Mom, it'll only be for a week or so," I said, moving to my closet.
"A week or so is a long time, Samantha," she sighed.
"Mom, everyone calls me Sam." I grabbed my favorite dark blue, short sleeved t-shirt. A white circle was plainly printed in it with twelve faded zodiac signs. I carefully tucked that into my suitcase, turning back and reaching for another shirt.
"But this is serious, Sam! What would happen if you got stuck? Or if you got lost? Or-"
"Mom!" I said, turning to her with a hard glare. "This is the last summer before my senior year. Before all of our senior year. We wanna make the most of what we have left. Please?"
I could see my own reflection in her emotionless eyes. Fairly tanned skin, long dark brown hair that laid flatly over my shoulders and reached down to the middle of my back, and the same silvery blue eyes that my mom owned.
And inside that figure, I could see a burst of excitement; almost a glowing ball of energy inside me. That was just who I am: my zodiac sign is a Leo. I'm very energetic and have a unique personality that doesn't give a damn about what anyone else thinks. And I was very proud of it. My mom sighed and shook her head.
"I know you do, and I want you to. But... I just just don't think it's going to go this far, I'm sorry, Sam, but you're not going," she said.
My entire world shattered. "What!? But I've been getting straight A's in all my classes for the past three years! I haven't done anything out of line at school! Why can't I go?" I seethed either anger.
"You're just not ready! I'd say you could go to the bowling alley, or go to a movie with your friends, but you are not going on a road trip for a week or so. That's final," she said forcefully. And she walked away. I clenched my fists at my sides, my teeth gritting in anger and I reached out and shoved my door shut with a slam.
I started to breathe heavily, running my fingers through my hair and pacing back and forth. It wasn't fair! Mallory (my little sister) went on a road trip for a full month with her friends at the age of 14! I'm 17, almost 18, and I should be allowed the same privileges. Maybe I can get dad to side with me on this one, I thought, my anger drawing to a simmer.
I grabbed my iPhone, which had a dark blue case with a golden star on it, and started a text to Emily.

Me: Hey, Em!
...
Emily8: Wassup, Duchess Samantha?
...
Me: Please don't call me that...!
...
Emily8: Haha! What? It's cute!
...
Me: Ugh! Can I update u on the road trip please?
...
Emily8: Sure, wassup?
...
Me: My mom said no. But maybe I can get my dad to let me.
...
Emily8: Yeah, you better get that figured out. We be leaving tomorrow at 6 am!

My mouth fell open when I read 6 am.

Me: Really?! That early?

...

Emily8: It's not that early, dear.

...

Me: Fine, fine. I'll ask. Talk to ya later!

Later that night, dad came home in his little red Toyota Camary. It was around 7:15 and I'd been sitting close to the door, waiting for him. When he walked in, I stood up and walked over to him. "Hey, there, Samy-girl!" He said, looking exhausted, but he still smiled at me. I hugged him quickly and looked up at him. "What's up?"
"Dad, I have to ask you something really important," I said quietly so mom, who was making supper, wouldn't hear. He leaned down slightly.
"Yeah, I'm listening."
"Me and my friends were thinking of going on a road trip tomorrow. It would only be for a week or so. I'd be going with Kaleb, Emily, and Hazen," I explained quickly. Dad nodded and stayed quiet for a moment, leaning back to stand at his full height. He had a focused and thinking look on his face, almost as if unsure if he should answer now. "I'll talk to mom," he said. "Don't get your hopes up though."