My birthday is in 9 days. I'm going to be 18, and I'm so scared I can hardly stand it. What am I going to do? I've hardly even began to prepare myself for the responsibilities that will no doubt be thrust upon me. And, knowing my dad, there will be many - and no mercy. He doesn't understand my fear. I'm sure he was nervous about becoming an adult, but it's different for me. I don't know how to do anything. I can't go out and buy things and talk to people and that sort of thing. I can't. I've tried. Driving, getting a job, having to convey what I need to other people, it's all too scary. As pathetic as that sounds, it's my reality. I can't just get over it. This isn't something you just get over. This isn't something you can just say, "Well, I'm going to have to do it anyway, so might as well!" It's legitimate crippling fear. Just the thought of it makes me hysterical, gives me the sickest feeling in my stomach, makes me want to cry. I don't know what I'm going to do. I don't know how I'm going to get there. I don't know what I need to do to find out. I'm completely clueless. I'm completely hopeless. I can't carry on this way, but this is all I know how to be. Am I doomed to fail?