Project Eliora

84,816

-WAKE UP-

My eyes fluttered open, and a yawn broke through my open lips as I rose from the bed. Covering my mouth with one hand, I idly scratched myself with the other and fumbled for the bed sheet covering me, bringing it down to rest around my waist.

The sun's brilliance peeked through the blinds, casting the bedroom in a bright golden light. I woke up to the sound of a voice calling my name from beyond the doorway.

"Elisa, wake up!"

I groaned, covering my face with my pillow. It was Omar, my little brother. He could be so loud and annoying in the morning. I was not in the mood for this.

"Go away, you little shit, I'm already awake!"

Without skipping a beat, he shouted back.

"Okay, get ready so you won't be late for school!"

I sighed, though it was hard to keep a smile off my face. The kid was a loudmouth, but he was probably the only reason I didn't miss school.

School. The thought of this made me groan. School was both a hellhole and a shitshow to me. And yeah, I had no choice but to attend, did I?

I shook my head. Okay, it was time to stand up. As much as I wanted to close my eyes and sleep for some more time, I knew I couldn't. So, come on, body, come on. As I dragged myself out of bed, I sighed. As I rubbed the sleep from my eyes and looked around the room, I scratched myself. Though a little messy, it was my very own abode, and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

I hummed a quiet tone under my breath as I walked past my pile of dirty clothes. My mom had told me to gather those together for laundry today, I thought as I finally reached my door. Twisting the knob, I saw a small, brown-haired rascal looking up at me, trying to act all cute and succeeding at it. I groaned and glanced away. Those annoying younger brothers with their wide-eyed expressions.

"Is that all you needed to say, or do you want something else?"

I forced myself out between gritted teeth, still not facing him. Even if I knew he was a demon spawn and were pretending to be otherwise, I still wouldn't be brave enough to stand in the face of such monstrosities. He scrunched up his nose and backed away, waving his hand in front of his nose.

"Phew, you stink!"

God, no.

"Go away, little shit; I'll be down soon."

As anger surged through me, I slammed the door shut, only to be met with the sudden sound of giggles that shattered the ensuing silence. Thankfully, before I could rip the door off its hinges and chase the tyke, Omar's footsteps pattered out of earshot. Sighing, I rubbed the bridge of my nose and walked to the bathroom. Damn annoying younger brothers and their ability to get under the skin.

—

I scurried down the stairs and through the hallway, skipping two steps at a time, my school bag slung over my shoulder. When I walked into the dining room, my parents were seated at the table, and Omar was tapping his fingers impatiently on the elaborately carved table. As soon as she saw me, my mother gave me a disapproving look, and I knew it because she had made breakfast for my brother and father but not for me.

"Nice of you to join us, young lady."

"I'm sorry; I overslept."

I mumbled, self-consciously playing with the edges of my dark-blue sweater as I made for the fridge.

"Good morning."

I added it as an afterthought. As per my morning ritual, I pulled out two slices of bread and some butter from the fridge and began having my breakfast right there.