Chapter 1

Brad knew he was in trouble when he got the rejection letters from both his first, second and third choice colleges. It wasn't as if he was majorly bummed at being turned down as such - academically he knew he was never going to be some superbrain – but he'd been kind of looking forward to getting away from his old-fashioned parental units and having some fun with his buddies.

I mean honestly, no one else had to put up with parents like his. It was ridiculous, them and their stupid rules - 10pm curfew, no parties, no drinking – he was 18 years old for godsake, his friends all thought he was a freak, and last time he'd snuck out he'd been caught falling through his window at 3am and grounded for a month.

The pitying looks he'd got as he was dropped off and picked up from school each day had been the final straw, so when it was time for college applications, he'd picked the three furthest from home. The look on his mum's face when he'd told her had almost changed his mind, but when he'd started raving about the quality of education and the extra curricular activities she'd changed her mind. In fact it had been her who'd manage to talk his dad around. His dad, of course, had wanted him to go to the same college as he had, but 100 miles away wasn't far enough for Brad. That was still visiting distance.

Stuffing the last of the letters under the mattress he pinned a bright smile on his face, rapidly trying to think of a solution that would let him escape this hell hole without admitting that he'd flunked pretty much all of his exams. Maybe he could just get a job, move up north and take night classes. That way he'd still have a certificate to show them. Or maybe he could just buy one off the internet and gloss over anything that didn't entirely match what he'd told them.

Attempting to think 'happy and excited' instead of 'watching his life go down the drain' he walked down to breakfast. And that was another stupid rule, who cared if breakfast was the most important meal of the day, who cared if families were supposed to eat together, why on earth should he have to wake up at 6am on a day when there was no school and no reason to get up. All of his friends would still be lying happily in their beds sleeping off last nights parties, and he had to get up and force down cereal whilst making polite conversation about current events. He had to get out of here and soon before he lost his mind.

Sitting at the table lost in thought, Brad wondered how on earth he was going to finesse this. It wasn't until his mum put her hand on his arm that he realised he was supposed to be being sociable. Looking up he realised they were both staring at him, waiting for him to say something.

"Sorry Mum, Dad," he apologised, kicking himself for not paying attention, "my mind was elsewhere. What did you say?"

There was a pause as his mums expression changed from worried to sympathetic and his dads mood turned visibly blacker. Of course it was his dad who spoke first, before his mum interrupted.

"Your mind's elsewhere?" He bellowed, "seems like it's been elsewhere for the whole year! What an earth were you thinking?"

Confused, Brad tried to work out what his dad was talking about. It couldn't be college, he'd only just read the letter himself, and after that one time he'd made sure to 'stay' at a friends house if there was going to be alcohol involved, had they found out? No, they couldn't have, Pete's mum certainly wouldn't have said anything. She agreed with him about the stupid rules. Well maybe not agreed as such but certainly sympathised. Pete's mum was cool like that.

"I think," Brads mum said gently, her voice full of worry, "that what your father is trying to say is, have you given any thought to what you're going to do now?"

What he was going to do now? Well given the choice he was going to finish breakfast as quickly as possible and get on the phone to Pete to find out what the hell was happening! Looking over at the pair of them though, he didn't think that was the right answer.

His mum placed her hand lightly on his forearm, patting it sympathetically.

"Don't pander to the boy!" His dad bit out angrily, "it's his own fault."

His own fault? What were they talking about? And why did his mum look like her pet dog had been run over, he hadn't killed anyone, he hadn't robbed a bank or anything. What had he done that was so bad?

"Either way," his dad continued gruffly, "I think he's done quite enough damage for one day."

Picking up the newspaper, he signalled the end of the conversation. Opening his mouth to say something, Brad caught himself as he saw his mum subtly shaking her head. Oh man, whatever it was he was in real trouble now.

Deciding it would be a good idea to stay out of sight, Brad had spent the day in his room, tidying and reorganising his shelves and closet before settling down in front of the computer to write a CV. Any thoughts he had had about telling his parents had been wiped, the mood his dad was in at the moment it wasn't worth the risk. Instead he'd decided he was going to have to get a job and save enough money to get a place of his own.

In the meantime, he'd keep his head down, carry on the pretence of going to college and hope they didn't ask any probing questions. Why did they have to be so damn controlling?

A ping from his instant messanger pulled his attention back to the computer screen.

Hey dude, how's tricks?

Awful man, parentals on the warpath and college is a no go.

Sucks balls dude. So take it you won't be at Sally's party tonight then?

Fat chance of that, you know what they're like, have more freedom in prison than here man.

Well it's an option ... just saying ;)

How about no? At least here I can bend over in the shower without having to worry.

Hahaha hahahahaha. Have fun dude. Laters.

Laters.

Damnit! Sally was the hottest girl in school and for some weird reason she'd hunted him down in the corridors during first break in order to personally invite him to her party. He'd rapidly assured her that nothing could possibly keep him away and he'd almost fainted when she'd giggled and said she was looking forward to getting to know him better. That cheeky wink as she turned to leave had convinced him that 'getting to know her' was something he would very much enjoy doing, if only he could figure out some way of getting out of the house undetected. Somehow, he didn't think 'staying at Pete's' would work so well this time and since that drunken escapade a safety lock had been fitted on his window to 'prevent accidents'. A child lock. Major embarrassment. Sometimes he wondered what planet his parents lived on.

Hearing his mum call out that lunch was ready, he shut down the laptop and made his way downstairs. Taking his seat, he was a little perturbed to see the way his mum avoided making eye contact as she served up the delicious smelling roast. He could see her cheeks turning red as she noticed that he'd noticed before she resolutely started cutting up her meat, her gaze firmly fixed on the meal in front of her.