02 ford taurus cluster lights out?

I got a 2002 ford taurus se back in april. No problems until now. Friday night, i drove about a half hour. Lights were all fine. Everything worked. I picked up my boyfriend and we went to the movies, everything still fine. I came back out to my car after the movie, and turned it on. All my indicator lights came on like they always do upon start up. Airbag, brake, seat belt, etc. They went off after the 3 seconds or whatever it is. I turned my lights on, and the dash/cluster lights never came on. My radio lights work, the a/c illuminates. I have tail lights and head lights. Everything works normally except that cluster. But i find it weird that when i turn on my directionals, they come on. Same with when i take off my seat belt, etc. All indicator lights are still turning on at start up. So i'm thinking it's not a bulb? Not quite sure what to do here. Keep in mind please that i'm a 22 year old female with no idea what to do haha. Thanks for any help/advice you could give me.

i did try hitting the top of the dash over the cluster, and nothing happened.

Check fuse 29 15Amp. That's power for the illumination bulbs.