at about midnight, both of my parents return home from work. i rub my eyes as i stand up quickly to talk to them.

"valerie?" my dad questions. "you're up late, what's going on?"

"i really need to talk to both of you," i say.

"sweetie, you could've just texted," my mom says. i shake my head.

"no, this is important. i need to ask you in person."

"you're worrying me... is something wrong?" my mom sets her stuff down and walks over to me.

"nothing's wrong, let's just go to the couch."

we make our way over to the couch and sit down. i take a deep breath and try to find the courage to ask about flying over.

"what do you want to talk about?" my dad asks.

"okay, uh, so..." i stutter, trying to find the words.

"spit it out, come on. it can't be that bad."

"can i fly to the uk to meet my friends?"

both of my parents are taken aback by the question.

"so it was that bad," my dad says.

"fly WHERE to see WHO?" my mom asks.

"remember tommy and will and all them from the love or host? well, they're all planning a trip to the uk and they want to fly me out to see them, too. and i really want to go."

"i don't know, the uk is all the way across the world..." my dad says, rubbing his chin. "thirteen hour flight, to be exact. who are these people?"

"i just said. people from the love or host, the streamers, all them."

"who exactly?"

"tommy, toby, wilbur, clay, george, nick, karl, alex, and niki."

"how old are they?" my mom asks i sigh at all the questions that are being thrown my way.

"tommy is eighteen, toby is nineteen. we're the closest in age. the furthest in age is wilbur and he's twenty six. the rest of them are early twenties, pretty much."

"you understand our concern, right?" my dad asks. "these are adults that you've only spoken to online, and you're flying to the other side of the world to meet them. i really don't like the sound of that."

"well, dad, i really don't understand your concern. they're my friends. plus, i'm an adult as well. and as an adult, i can technically make my own decisions..."

"no, your dad has a point. you don't know these people in real life and they could be murderers for all you know," my mom chimes in. i groan.

"would it make you feel better if you spoke to all of them on the phone?" i ask, a hint of annoyance laced in my voice.

"i'm not sure..." my mom says.

"i don't know how else to make you comfortable with it, then. niki, who's also a girl, will be there. i won't be the only girl. tommy and toby are my age, niki and nick are both twenty on, and i've spoken to all of them and seen all of their faces. they're twitch streamers, they sit at their computers all day. if anything, they should be worried about me hurting them."

"i really don't-" my dad starts.

"i'm an adult! you can't keep me in this house forever. i do everything you guys tell me to. i keep to my curfew, i don't do drugs, i get good grades, and you won't let me do this ONE thing. i'll talk to my teachers and get all my assignments for the next MONTH and do them all now. these people make me happy and i'm sorry, but whether you like it or not i'm going to go see them," i interrupt. when i'm done, i realize i ended up spewing out everything i was thinking. i look at my parents faces, and they look more shocked than anything.

"valerie..." my dad starts.

"i'm sorry. i didn't mean to lash out like that." i sigh. "but that's how i feel."

"she's right," my mom says, looking at my dad. "as much as i hate to admit it. she's grown up, now. we can't really stop her." my dad nods grimly.

"if you're going to the uk, then we have to lay down some rules," my dad says. "text your mother when you land and before you go to bed. post pictures on social media and send us pictures so we know you're safe. be smart. don't go into strangers' cars, don't follow-"

"dad! please!" i click my tongue in annoyance. "i'm not stupid!"

"okay okay, i just want to make sure you know." my dad sighs. "when is this trip?"

"february something. not sure exactly, but i'll ask."

"and how long will you be there?"

"also not sure." i bite my lip, realizing how little planning there is. "but we just started talking about it today! i'll tell you more soon."

"fine. again, not like we can stop you." my dad looks at the clock. "it's late. you should get to bed." i nod, refusing to do anything to upset my parents or make them want to keep me at home.

"goodnight. thank you for letting me go." i give them both a quick kiss on the cheek and run to my room. i hop in bed and sigh.

i'm going to the uk.

i'm going to meet my friends.

i'm going to meet tommy.