Snippet #1501683

“Ash, are you sure you packed everything? Spare flashlight? Water? Tickets? What about your cell phone charger? I want you to be able to call me if something happens on the road…”

There was no question where Ashley got her obsessive qualities from. Her dad was probably worse than her at times, if that was even imaginable, but he was only going over a list that Ashley had gone over in her head three times before breakfast. “I got it, dad.” Ashley cut him off with her reply, sighing as any daughter would when their parent was doubting them, though she knew he was just looking out for her. She had three months to plan for this trip, so there should be no surprise that Ashley Sullivan had plenty of time to lay out as much preparation as she could. In the trunk of the van, she already had her bag, tent, some food, and a sleeping bag if the time called for camping, which would be a cheaper alternative than staying at a hotel.

Ashley had managed to talk her parents into letting her and a few friends from school borrow the family’s Dodge minivan, and as soon as they had a vehicle, all the plans for this summer’s trip were laid out. Finding friends wasn’t the hard part, considering anyone with a good taste in music would gladly jump on board the idea of seeing Starstruck on tour and taking on the open road with friends. The hard part was finding friends with money who could afford the food, gas, lodging, and concert tickets. But that was doable with a few months to prepare and save, and Ashley didn’t suspect that anyone would be backing out now. Classes at Met U were official over until fall, and Starstruck’s first concert was tonight, in St. Louis, Missouri. It was a ten hour drive if they could avoid traffic. And if they were early, well, of course Ashley had already planned on maybe making a stop in Mall of America if everything went according to plan and ran on time.

“Tell mom I’ll text her tonight before the concert. And tomorrow morning.” She promised, knowing her father would at least feel better about letting his eldest daughter and family vehicle go halfway across the country if she could ease his mind a little. Standing on the tip of her toes to give her dad a hug, Ashley endured a few more seconds of last-minute reminders from him before she was behind the wheel, and free at last! It was hard not to smile once she was on the road driving toward the University. The windows were down, and the sun was just coming up from over the trees.

Ashley had told everyone to meet her on campus at 8 a.m., but to no surprise of anyone, she pulled into the parking lot right at 7:28, eager to get this trip started. No one else was there yet, so while she waited, Ashley hummed to an old song on the radio while opening a map that she had already looked over dozens of times. Certain routes were highlighted in different colors, which only Ashley would really understand, or at least care to. It probably wouldn't take too long for someone else to take over driving, especially after enduring Ashley's strict policy in obeying all traffic laws, especially speeding. She was aware she could be a bit over the top sometimes, and even a little obsessive, but someone would have to be, right? Especially while in the company of the many different personalities that would be in this 8-seater van all summer.

She did, however, promise herself that she would at least try to let loose, have fun, be more easygoing, and let the little things go...but only time would tell just how long she could actually stick to that. How did the saying go, again? Old habits die hard.