Begin Again

Chapter 1

The shines through the window of my reasonably simple room.
I've never been one to exaggerate my personality into things like my bedroom, I mean, we aren't exactly the richest family in the world!

I lay in bed looking up at the ceiling. I sigh at thought of getting out of the bed.
It was at that moment that the alarm on my phone starts playing.

I unenthusiasticly turn the alarm off, get out of bed and start my morning routine of washing, getting dressed... you know, the usual.

I head downstairs to see my mum just finishing making a cooked breakfast and my little brother sitting excitedly at the table. (He may be 17, but he is still my little brother, being a year younger than me).

"Here you go" my mum says as she hands me a plate of sausage, eggs and beans. Not my most favourite but it's nice nonetheless.
I thanked mum and began eating.
"You ready for school?" I asked my brother. "Yeah, obviously" he replied with me doing a double take and already seeing him in his uniform (as was I).
My mum gave me this sympathetic look that she normally does, why? I don't know, I guess it's just her caring a lot.

After eating, I wash my plate up, kiss mum on the cheek and head off to school with my brother. My brother put one of his earphones in like he normally does when he goes outside, it helps him cope with anxieties.

We walked in silence for a while, taking in the generic, everyday surroundings of our small town.
While we don't live in a big city, we certainly don't live somewhere where everyone knows each other - and let's be real, I don't believe you if you say that's something you want!

I looked at my student card which connected to a lanyard round my neck. It pretty much just said my name (Ali) and whatever year group I was etc. The boring shit. My brother (Max) has the same thing. Except... annoyingly, my school have to use pink and blue to differentiate between male and female... like, what the fuck? We are 2023, not 1953!

Max looks at me "when are gonna get out of here? The school, the town, everything!"
Max and I always dreamed of getting away from this shithole, being free, doing whatever the hell we want!
"Well... soon, I promise!" I gave Max a reassuring smile which he returned back to me.
The two of us, that's pretty much what it's been for... as long as either of us can remember. Our dad walked out on us, mum does just about the bare minimum for us. More often than not, Max and I are left to fend for ourselves. Which, is sad really but... at least we have eachother!

I hear a screech, think nothing of it then look around in curiosity a see a van about to slam into my brother.
"Look out!" I shout as I push my brother out of the way of the van...