Once Upon a Story [ HIATUS ]

Good Morning

I don't know what inspired this. I just picked a video on my playlist and let myself go. This was the result. I hope you enjoy it. You can play the video for added atmosphere (I recommend starting at 8:00 minutes).

Word count: 783
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It was a rainy morning. My eyes fluttered open to grey skies painted behind my glassy window. Everything, blurry for a few seconds, only lulled me back to sleep. I could sense the cold air outside my blanket, enticing me to hide further under the warm covers. But I couldn't; no today. I forced myself to sit, legs dangling from the side of my bed. My toes brushed against the fluff of my slippers.

I gazed at the footwear with matted and discoloured fur, reliving memories through each spot of dirt. I stood, my eyes scanning the room until they stopped on the clothes hanging on my chair: a black dress shirt and a matching suit. Leaving the warmth of my blanket, I stripped down, shivering as the cold took hold of me.

The equally cold outfit shocked my senses awake, but my eyes remained lidded and filled with fatigue. I pulled on my socks, up to my knees and buckled my shoes, all black and carefully cleaned for this day. Wearing a coat and sporting an umbrella, I walked out the door. At first, I thought to turn back. My throat, feeling tight and squeezed under my repressed sadness, only encouraged my cowardice. But still, I marched down the shining cobblestone sidewalk, looking at the glimmering scenery.

Filled with humidity, the air felt frigid. My nose and fingertips were red from the cool air, and my breath puffed a cloud of smoke with each exhale. Walking with only the streetlights open, I found much-needed tranquillity. Even as the street filled with the cars of morning workers, I wasn't irritated.

I reached my destination just as it turned 6:00. I opened the gate and followed the gravel path, turning around a hidden corner. I approached a small hill devoid of stones, only holding a tree. I sat under its branches, looking down at the tombs surrounding me. Leaning against the rough bark, my eyes closed, listening to the rain trickle down each leaf. A few droplets touched my skin but never reached often enough to bother my peace.

I stayed there, unmoving, until my eyes caught the sun rising in the sky, warming the chill morning air. The rain stilled to an unnoticeable drizzle, and the air filled with a fresh scent. The change brought a smile to my face, barely present, but felt deep inside. Standing, I closed my umbrella, tucking it in a pocket. I placed my hand against the bark, feeling a warm breeze engulf me before vanishing entirely.

My sadness left with each step until I left the cemetery without a weight on my shoulders. I returned home, walking the same cobblestone path. As I entered my house, the atmosphere appeared different. Light softly beamed in from my window, shining on a bouquet of lavender asters beautifully displayed on the dining table. I removed my shoes, hooked my coat and sat at the table, leaning my head onto my forearms. As I closed my eyes, another warm feeling enveloped me filling my mind with cherished memories.

🌼 ⋆｡ ﾟ ☁️｡⋆｡ ﾟ ☀️ ﾟ ｡⋆

"Say, Leo, do you know why I like mornings?"

"The sun?"

"Nope."

"How about the singing birds?"

"Still wrong?"

Leo scratched his head as he thought of an idea, but nothing came. "I'm stumped. Why does Lauren love mornings?"

"Because I get to spend them with you."

Leo was surprised that was her answer. And his expression softened as Lauren further explained.

"It's always nice to wake up to a beautiful sunrise and bird songs, but what makes it even more magical is waking up with you. Even when it rains, I smile, knowing I'll wake up with your arms around me, even if it's to fall asleep again."

She held his hands, head tilted and smiling with the brightness of a thousand suns.

"Leo, from now on, let's share every sunrise."

He chuckled softly, tenderly kissing her knuckles. "You have my word."

🌼 ⋆｡ ﾟ ☁️｡⋆｡ ﾟ ☀️ ﾟ ｡⋆

I opened my eyes, blinking a few times and gasped. My finger brushed against the singular aster on the table. I sat up, holding the flower. There wasn't a sign of forced entry, and not one item from my surrounding had moved.

Then who?

The sun grew brighter, luring me toward the window. I opened it, and the wind came rushing in. My eyes slammed shut as I held the aster to my chest. As things calmed, I felt the sunshine again. The aster in my hand glowed under the light, and I cried, watching it fill with life. I was laughing, filled with disbelief; my cheeks ached with how wide I smiled, feeling nothing but joy.

"Good morning, Lauren."

Thank you for waking up with me today.