Rowan had no idea how they had gotten through high school. They had to admit, there had been some bad grades the first two years and some fighting among their parents. Apparently, those first years didn't matter at all. 
They were never one for celebrations; from holidays to birthday parties. They just didn't really see the necessity of it all. But, it was something that had to be done. Speaking of birthdays, today was theirs. 

After caps were thrown in the air and the chaos of being dismissed, Rowan found their dads. They put on a small smile, seeing both of them with tears in their eyes. It made Rowan a little teary.
"Rowan, your dad and I are so proud of seeing you grow up into the young adult you've become. Happy birthday, and congratulations on graduating," Brandon spoke. It was now that Rowan's small smile grew into a larger one.

"Thanks, Papy," was how Rowan could respond. They hadn't exactly spoken to them about the road trip yet.... They grabbed their Polaroid camera from their bag (that they wouldn't leave in their locker) and turned it around to take a selfie of their family.
"Go get your stuff, and we'll head home, Row," Austin, her other dad, now spoke. Rowan bit the corner of their lip, and Austin's shoulders dropped. "What is it now?"

"Actually, I...I'm not coming home just yet." Both of her fathers' faces turned curious.
"What exactly does that mean?" Brandon said tersely. Rowan put their camera away and took their fathers' hands.
"I...I've never known what I want to become in this world. You two both know that. I already know who I am in some sense, but in all others I'm clueless. I'm...I'm going back to California with some of my friends. On a road trip, ya know?"

Austin's face turned to shock, and Brandon's turned sternly. Rowan dropped their hands. "Rowan, that's not going to happen. It's too dangerous; a bunch of barely-even-adults in a car going across the country? It's just not safe. You're coming home with us, where we can discuss your future."
There it was; her father's police officer coming out. They took a deep breath.

"No."
"I'm sorry?"
"No. You can't control me anymore; I'm eighteen now. I'm an adult. I'm on my own."
"Young miss...mist...," Brandon stumbled on his words, taking a deep breath. "You may be an adult, but just so. You were just a child a few hours ago."
"I'm sorry. Dad...Papy...," Rowan looked to the both of them. "I'm going now. I love you." They gave both of them a hug and then walked off.
"Rowan Tal Rylatt, you come back here right now!" they heard their dad called after them.
"Sorry, Dad," they muttered under their breath. They really hated to leave their fathers like that, but that's what it had come to.

After getting to their locker, they quickly unzipped their gown and put it away. They didn't ever want to see it again. Underneath, Rowan wore a black skirt and a red tank top, sleeves torn, with the anarchy symbol in black. They put on their jean vest with patches and headed outside. There, they could see Benny, Zachary, and Leo with Ben's Impala and some van. They took a deep breath and walked up to them.

"Hey, ya guys!" They had never spoken much, but Rowan definitely knew more about the three of them than they knew about Rowan; combined.