Moving On [H.S]

Chapter 1

He wakes up early, to the usual blaring of his alarm clock. He sits up, rubbing his eyes and looking around his neat room, the only thing out of place, the shoes he forgot to put away before going to sleep. He drags himself out of bed, wishing he could stay in the warm cocoon of blankets, but knowing he must start his day.

He pulls on a black dress shirt, black dress pants, and throws a black and white patterned scarf around his neck before taking out his black blazer and putting it on his bed.

He quickly ties his hair into a small bun on the back of his head and he walks out of his dark room, turning on the hall light. The sun rises outside of the apartment windows, lighting up the light wooden floor as he pulls apart the curtains, letting light flood into the kitchen as he begins to make two plates of breakfast.

He gazes over the quiet apartment, the soft yellow glow of the sun glazing over the grey couch, the white walls, the dormant TV, and shoes lined up against the wall near the door. He quickly scrambles some eggs and makes two small pieces of toast, putting one on each plate. He slides them across the kitchen island countertop, and he walks back down the hallway towards her room, softly knocking before walking in.

"Time to wake up Isabella."

He says and she stirs in her sleep, her dark curtains blocking out the sunlight, the patterns of stars cut out in the fabric to make it seem like they are glowing. He reaches over and opens them up, allowing the light to fill the room. She tugs the blanket over her head and rolls, facing away from the window.

"Come on now...time to wake up."

He says gently, slowly peeling the blanket away from her as she sits up and rubs her eyes, blinking up at him.

"Let's go eat breakfast."

He says and she nods, as he takes her small hand in his. They walk down the hallway, hand in hand, as she clutches her bear in the other arm, into the kitchen. He lifts her up into the tall stool at the kitchen island and he sits next to her.

"Be careful..don't get food on Ted."

He says and she nods, placing the bear named Ted on the counter beside her plate so she doesn't get food on it. She uses the small pink plastic fork to eat her scrambled eggs and toast.

"Do you start your new job today?"

She asks and he nods, as he keeps his eyes on his plate.

"Are you excited?"

She asks, her legs swinging back and forth as they dangle from the high stool.

"I'm a little nervous. Might need one of your famous pep talks."

He says and she turns on her seat to face him.

"If you're nervous you're gonna be afraid."

She says, and he lets a small smile pull at his lips.

"And if you're afraid...you're gonna mess up."

She says, her eyes lighting up when she connects her points in her brain.

"So don't mess up."

She says and he chuckles lowly, nodding and grabbing her plate, gently kissing her forehead as he stands up and walks over to the sink.

"Just the words I needed to hear."

He says and she smiles in delight, proud that she was able to help.

"Are you excited to start school?"

He asks and she nods.

"Uncle Niall told me they give out snacks."