Behind Those Bracelets (A Tordan AU)

The Kids Aren't Alright

Chapter 1- The Kids Aren't Alright

~Tom's POV~

"Tom! It's 12:00 at night, go to sleep! You have school tomorrow!" My mother yelled from outside my closed bedroom door. I slid my headphones onto my neck, put down my sketchbook and sighed.

"Mum, I don't even like school! Can't I just stay home?" I heard an impatient sigh, and the door opened.

"Tom, we've been over this before. Now, get your butt in bed." She stood in the doorway, her arms crossed and her eyebrows raised.

"Ugh." I sighed, setting my sketchbook on the table and slipping my headphones on my head, pulling out my phone.

"Tom, you really should care more about school, you know." She sighed, dropping her arms at her sides and walking over to my bed and sitting on the end.

"Mum."

"I'm just looking out for you--"

"Mum." I said, a bit louder, interrupting her.

"Okay." She sighed and left the room. I rolled my eyes and pressed play on the paused song 'Blank Space'. I reached over to the table and turned off the lamp, sinking down into the matress and blankets, humming along to the song.

My eyes drooped closed and slowly, I drifted into a light slumber. My dreams were black and nothing.

--

I woke up to my younger sister shoving a pillow in my face.

"Mum told me to wake you up." She threw the pillow at me and I sat up.

"Thanks, love you too." She just rolled her eyes and left the room, her long ponytail swinging behind her.

I sat up slowly and cringed at the light coming through my window. Damn sister must've opened my blinds. I scoweled at nothing and made a b-line for the bathroom. I turned on the shower and got in. All I could think about was school and how boring and painful it was.

Sometimes I relate my life to song lyrics, and right now, I wish my life could be like 'Chasing Cars' where I could "just forget the world".

I hummed along to Gasoline as my mind drifted along dream river, the water gradually waking me up. I thought about: cute boys, not having a guitar, pursuing my music career, and.. Jordan Maron. I shook my head frustratedly, shooing that thought away. It always made me feel tangled up, thinking about Jordan; a boy I've had a crush on since 7th grade. I ran my hands through my soaking hair and proceeded to wash it.

I finished up and stepped out of the shower, a burst of cool air hitting me and making me shiver. I grabbed a towel and wrapped it around my waist, realizing I had forgotten to bring any clothes in the bathroom with me. I continued to hum along to various songs. I was in the middle of 'The Kids Aren't Alright' when I had finally finished getting dressed.

I realized I was actually mumbling the words and I smiled cheekily. I shook my head at myself and took a look at what I was wearing. A TRXYE shirt hung on my shoulders and skinny jeans hugged my legs. I laced up my platform converse and felt my feet sink into the worn soles of the shoes. I frowned at my reflection, seeing that my hair was still wet and flopping.

Forgot to do my hair, I guess. I thought, heading off to the bathroom once again, only to find that it was occupied. Damn, I won't have time..... Eh, screw it. I walked back into my room and grabbed my sketchbook and headphones, and threw on a beanie and my glasses, and trotted down the stairs.

My beanie was grey and matched my dark attire. It was going to be cold today. I looked at the clock and grabbed a chocolate chip muffin from the counter. My mother spoke up at my fingers wrapped around the still-warm muffin.