Meant For You

Chapter 1: Somewhere Between a Dance and a Song

Chapter 1

Somewhere Between a Dance and a Song

You know it's a good day when you get up in the morning and actually feel refreshed; you don't cling to the covers or those last moments of sleep with a vengeance. 

Today is my day. The sun is shining, the birds are singing and now all I need is a balcony for me to stand on while my Prince Charming serenades me.

Perhaps I'd say that if I was crazy. I dream about waking up and not being exhausted already. Alas, as a teenager I'm doomed to eternal gloom and exhaustion.

So why exactly was I awake? Well, for those of us lucky enough to have sisters I'm sure you understand the automated sister alarm system - let's call it ASAS for short. It's top of the range, I assure you. 

"Hope!" Ivy, my ASAS, screams from too close to my ear. "Hope! Hope! Hope!" I force out a groan and roll over again bringing my many covers with me. 

"Get up, get up, get up" She shouts again. 

I feel the side of my bed dip and I kick out with my leg. Her wake up calls always follow the same pattern: shouting my name, shouting 'get up', jumping on my bed and finally pouring water over my face. I didn't want to get to the last phase. 

"You are so dead Ivy." I seethe. Doesn't she know how dangerous it is waking a 19-year-old up? 

"C'mon Hope! It's practically afternoon now." When she says that I briefly feel guilty. I'm wasting the day... but... bed.

I groan loudly again and pull the blankets away from my face. I search my room for my sister only to find her crouching next to my head. I glare at her. 

"Why can't you leave me alone?" I ask, defeated. 

"I'm your sister, it's part of the job that I annoy you whenever possible."

"Hmmm." I mumble while rubbing my eyes of sleep. "And you do your job so well."

"Hope!" 

"Fine. Fine. I'll get up." I push off my covers and swing myself up in one motion. If I stopped for even a second I'd go back to sleep.

I look back at my bed. So soft and warm, I could've snatched another hour of sleep at least. My sister just laughs at me again, reveling in my misery.

Another glare sends her dancing from my room. 

I sit at my window seat sighing as I look over London while Ivy skips away, humming a nonsensical tune to herself. As I continue my gaze outside I realise today is a truly beautiful day. The sky almost shimmered it was so blue and only specks of white cloud skittered across the blue.

Thank God for weekends.

Eventually, I drag myself down the stairs to our spacious kitchen. I can't stifle the huff that leaves my mouth or the groan of frustration that follows when I catch my reflection in the hall mirror. My usually long, wavy, raven black hair was now a knotted mess at the back of my head. I looked like I had braved a severe electric storm overnight. I'd deal with it later.

The soft light gave the marble countertops and lavender purple walls an almost dream-like hue. I chuckle quietly to myself as I remember painting the walls with my family. We had paint in our hair for weeks after.

My mum caught me staring at my hair in the mirror and laughs. "You can stare all you want H. The picture's never going to change." 

I rolled my eyes.