What pet would be good for me?

I am 16, my mom says I cannot get a pet like no matter what, but I am going to try to. So what would be best for me? The nearest pet store from us is an hour and a half away and we only go to that town about twice a month, and I was interested in a leopard gecko, but doesn't that require like live bugs only? so they can't have like food that's in like pebble form? Anyway, I also want something like small like a ferret but she would FOR SURE say no, but I just want facts about ferrets, and other small animals but NOT hamsters and mice, ect. What would be good for me? How long do ferrets live, and more info also on the geckos?