The Smile She Gives You

Chapter 1: The Beginning of the End

Image credits: @Clementine  on Pinterest

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The soft ringing of the alarm pierces through the calm morning, stirring me from my quiet, careless sleep. After a short series of confused thoughts, the haze in my mind dissipates and I become aware of the day awaiting me and my purpose within it. It's a Monday. 5:30 in the morning to be precise. This is the first day of school after the blissful tranquillity of the summer break. With a half-hearted yawn, I reach out for my phone on the nightstand, silencing the noise that disturbed my peaceful rest. The gentle morning light seeps through the fold of my pastel blue curtains, revealing the familiar silhouettes of the furniture in my room. My vision gets clearer and clearer with every passing second. Soon enough, I feel safe to stand up and start my morning.

After finally getting up and shuffling over to my wardrobe, I grab a pair of wide-legged pants and a black top with puffy sleeves. Oh what a blessing it is to be freed of the restrictions of the school uniform! Fashion is one of the many privileges I now have as a senior student.

I open the door next to my wardrobe and enter the bathroom. As the door closes again behind me, I catch my reflection in the mirror. Eyes of a soft, faint blue flash back at me and the blonde curls framing them bounce at the ever so slight movement of my head. Brushing them back into a high ponytail, I brace myself for the journey that lies ahead of me.

I sigh. This is the beginning of the end, as I like to think of it - a new chapter in my life unfolds as I embark on my final year of school, pursuing my life as a student studying by the IB diploma. Soon it will be over. Soon all the studying will finish and hopefully pay off. Soon is also the time I might get the opportunity to raise up in the rankings and possibly get accepted into the elite swim team of our country. Soon. So soon... I just have to keep up the hard work and train myself hard this year. The road ahead is full of challenges waiting around the corner but I am determined to overcome every difficulty I might face!

The girl that looks back at me in the mirror has eyes that tell many stories of the past. Stories that are yet to be told. Stories that might change her future forever. But her most mesmerising feature is the smile she wears - a radiant light that can outshine all the stars in the night sky. It reflects her joy, her confidence and her hopes.
And all of this resides in me. I marvel at the beautiful young lady, knowing that she is me and no other.

After getting dressed, I collect the swim gear hanging in the shower from yesterday's session. I remember the set our team has swum that evening. Especially for me, a fly swimmer, it had been hell and I am truly hoping our coach will show some mercy today after our first day back at school.
I open a drawer under my sink and take out my red Jolyn swimsuit. My dark blue swim bag is resting next to the door. I toss my swim gear into it and pull up the zipper.

With a final glance around the room to assure myself that nothing has been forgotten, I return to my bedroom and exit through another door.

I find myself in the slightly brightened corridor of our house. To my left at the end of the hallway, a tall window offers a view at the street. The staircase at the opposite end leads me to the ground floor from where I reach the kitchen.
A juicy red apple in the fruit bowl on the counter immediately grabs my attention. I snatch it and take a big bite, holding the fruit in my jaw. A search from protein cereal begins as I open the cupboards next to the refrigerator. Why does my Mum always reorganise the kitchen?
Soon enough, I  am able to sit down at the kitchen bar in peace, enjoying my healthy breakfast.

While spooning up my cereal, I check my phone for updates from my friends. Many classmates have shared their experiences of summer on instagram. There are girls in bikinis at a beach, the boys are wearing flashy sunglasses and shorts, and everyone writes that they've had the time of their lives.

As I continue scrolling, the mindset changes with a post from one of my teammates. She is standing next to a starting block in front of a swimming pool and the caption of the photograph is contradictory to all the others. It simply reads: "Thank God, it's over."

I smile at the confidence with which my teammate has posted the caption despite being well aware that our coach has an account on instagram as well. I like the post and leave a comment complimenting her on the beautiful swimsuit that highlights her dark skin tone and her athleticism. In a second comment, I playfully scold her for being cocky in her caption and state the obvious fact that our coach will likely hear about this.

I sigh, and then I smile. We are athletes. Our standard summer break strongly diverges from the leisurely pursuits of others. While most enjoy the tranquil weeks of uninterrupted freedom, we are put through a schedule that requires utmost focus and unyielding dedication. Two weeks of training at home, one week of training camp at Mallorca, followed by yet another week of training at home right before the end of the break. This year, our coach really outdid herself. But as athletes we are well aware of the required sacrifices and the extraordinary measures that set us apart.

My train of thought is interrupted by my dad who enters the kitchen.

"Morning, Tori. Slept well? Which train are we catching today?"

"Oh hi, Dad. I'm doing ok, thanks. Oh, and we will have to leave the house in 15 minutes."

My Mum is sleeping in today so she is not coming with us.

I return to my bathroom. While brushing my teeth, I choose some jewellery out of a box that I store in a small cupboard below the sink. Elegant, silver earrings, colourful string bracelets, my Garmin sports watch, and an exquisite ring shaped like a delicate flower are the finishing touches I add to my look today. I can honestly get used to being more expressive instead of relying on the bland school uniform younger students are limited by.

With my school materials safely tucked away, I sling the now completely packed swim bag over my shoulder and head back downstairs with a book in hand to kill the spare time until my Dad joins me at the front door. I put on my red converse sneakers and we leave the house, locking the door behind us.

Nestled within the vibrant tapestry of Inner London, our humble home dwells on Almeida Street in Islington, a haven where tranquil green parks and bustling streets coexist. Islington is different from the heart of London despite not being located that far from it.
After only a short walk, I reach Angel Station with my Dad. The underground takes my Dad to the economic centre near the City of London while I will continue in a different direction. Embracing my father in a warm farewell, I wish him a good day and head the other platform.

I pull out my headphones and choose a playlist on my phone. Soon enough, the tube arrives and brings me to King's Cross station within only a few minutes. The crowded station reminds me of the giant metropolis I live in and the vast commotion that resides in it.
I switch lines and head for Great Portland Street station. From there, it is a relaxing five-minute walk to my school. This is the institution that has been my educational sanctuary for three years, and now it is calling me for one final chapter - one more year of hard work.

It is the beginning of the end.

I am standing in front of the Westminster Campus of the Southbank International School.

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First chapter up, yayyy! 🥳 Let me know what you think so far 🎀💞