Life was looking up after I graduated. I was heading off to a great college that I had gotten a scholarship for, I had a fantastic academic record, and for once I was feeling confident/comfortable in my own skin. I had two months before I was off to college to finally and truly relax...

Or so I thought. Right before heading off, I had to withdraw due to financial issues that my family and I have been suffering from for about a decade. It was crushing. College was finally an escape to a happy life that I never had as a kid. New places, new people, and I could be anyone I wanted to be. No expectations, just my life and my goals. But, fitting the theme of my life, I was denied that sweet relief. 

To make matters worse, my mother moved back in with me (I was living alone, and my mother moving in wasn't an issue) but brought her boyfriend with her. I know it's a bit of a trope to hate your step-parents, but believe me when I tell you, this guy is a royal jerk. He's a pig, walking around with his gut hanging out, and will just barge in everyone's bedroom without asking. He feels the need to lecture everyone, no matter what they're doing. I ate some raspberries that I bought and he came into my room to tell me I ate too many berries in my smoothie, that, "This container should last you a month. You know those serving sizes? Well, if you eat too much, then it just becomes sugar. Sugar is bad for you." I know it's a petty thing to complain about, but this is just his personality. He also smokes marijuana in the house, something both I and my mother are against. He also consistently insults and berates my mother, to the point where she hides in my room with me to avoid him. 

I'm stuck in my room. I feel uncomfortable just walking out of it. I have no job because I expected to be in college, and no place around me has responded, even after a month. I wake up and do the same thing every single day. I hate living here, I hate the people here, I just want to escape. I have no means of travel, no money since 99% of it went to buying stuff for college. I'm literally screwed, trapped in this sucky place for god knows how long. I'm just not happy. The only thing that brings me some joy are my puppies, which are lovely. But my mom's boyfriend hates them and abuses them, so I feel bad just for keeping them here. I'm thinking of giving them away, along with the stray cat I rescued, just so they'll be able to live happily without fearing more abuse. 

I just want to be happy, you know? I've never been able to live a normal life, and I almost got that chance with college, and it was taken away. Now I'm stuck, trapped in the place I wanted to escape for so long. What do I do?