mirrorball, logan huntzberger

i;

August, unlike most, had her life put together before six-thirty am. She would wake up at five, read for exactly fifteen minutes, and then proceed to get herself ready for the day.

So before she even heard the call of one of the many staff whom her mother had hired, urging her to breakfast, the freshly ironed uniform, which she wore to school everyday, was on pristinely. The blue plaid skirt even though she was sitting didn't even have a crease in it, and shirt was buttoned to the top, her tie was situated cleanly under the collar – over the years she had perfected the art of looking put together (even if she didn't always feel it).

She got up from her chair where she was completing further study into her courses (or as she liked to put it – getting ahead). Slowly closing the books sitting in front of her she packed the textbooks she would need for the day into her bag, not forgetting to bring her current read along with her (it was subconscious at this point).

She ran her hand along the cracked spine of the book, its cover nearly falling off. People were always really prideful about how 'new' their books looked, but August rather liked the wear and tear of her books. It showed that they were read and challenged her way of thinking.

The Picture of Dorian Gray, might have been her favourite book of all time. It demonstrates the power which mere words have over human beings. Dorain's mind is tainted by the knowledge which the yellow book brings to him, and the change within him is evident (no matter what he looks like on the outside). "There is no such thing as a moral or immoral book" because there is nothing immoral about knowledge. Books give people the power to think for themselves, they shape a person, allowing for individualism. However, through the novel one has to recognise the destructive forces which knowledge has on one's true identity. While Dorian did undergo the transformative experience of crafting one's identity, it ultimately leads him to his own death – the death of someone people no longer recognised.

While knowledge helps us form opinions and thoughts it can also be an oppressive force in defining morals within our personal beliefs.

August made her way down the staircase of her family home and towards the dining room where she was met by her younger sibling, Ivy, sitting slouched over the table – presumably falling asleep.

The Abernathy's were comfortable, August would never deny having grown up privileged as it was not something she liked to take for granted. She would never be ungrateful towards the legacy which her whole family worked to achieve and upkeep.

Being a middle child, the shadow of her older brother's accomplishments constantly loom menacingly – mockingly – over her. It seemed no matter how hard she tried, or how well she performed in an exam, she would still not be enough in the eyes of her parents. They would still expect more, the standards so high that they were intangible.

As a perfectionist, who set the standards for herself high enough already, she always felt let down when the expectations of her parents changed – she lived in their chess game, but the rules changed everyday. It was nearly impossible to keep up with them.

"Ivy, you aren't even ready yet," August was in disbelief (she shouldn't be shocked, Ivy was always like this) In the time which it took her to get down to breakfast – she took her time today – Ivy was still in her pyjamas, basically sleeping at the table.

"I'm eating my breakfast," she replied drowsily. "School doesn't start until like eight anyways."

"I know, but I'm driving you to school today which means you are on my timetable, and I want to get to school earlier. I have stuff to do, Ivy." August, as much as she loved the ten year old, was frustrated. "Please just go get ready."