Orm’s morning begins much later than planned. The alarm clock on her nightstand blares at 8:00 AM, but in her sleepy haze, Orm hits the snooze button—again and again. Before she knows it, the time has slipped away, and she jolts awake to see that it’s already 9:00 AM. Panic sets in as she realizes she’s overslept and is now running late for her 10:00 AM class.
She jumps out of bed, heart racing, and rushes to the bathroom. There’s no time for her usual morning routine today—no leisurely breakfast, no quiet moments to gather her thoughts. She hastily washes her face, brushes her teeth, and throws on the first outfit she finds—a simple white T-shirt and a pair of jeans. As she pulls her hair into a quick ponytail, she can already hear her mother, Mae Koy, in the kitchen, preparing her own morning tea.
Orm grabs her backpack, which she had thankfully packed the night before, and dashes out of her room. She barely has time to slip on her shoes as she rushes to the kitchen to say goodbye.
“Mom, I’m leaving!” Orm calls out breathlessly as she skids to a stop by the kitchen door.
Mae Koy looks up from her tea, her expression calm and unsurprised. She’s seen this routine before—Orm rushing out the door, trying to make up for lost time.
“You overslept again, didn’t you?” Mae Koy asks, a hint of amusement in her voice.
Orm nods sheepishly, struggling to catch her breath. “Yeah, I didn’t hear the alarm… or maybe I just ignored it. I’m really late this time.”
Mae Koy shakes her head, though there’s no real scolding in her tone. She’s used to Orm’s occasional morning rush, and she knows her daughter always manages to pull it together in the end. “You need to stop staying up so late playing game, Orm. It’s no good if you can’t wake up on time.”
“I know, I know,” Orm replies, already half out the door. “I’ll be more careful tonight. Promise.”
“Did you at least grab something to eat?” Mae Koy asks, concern creeping into her voice.
Orm pauses, realizing she’s forgotten breakfast entirely. She shakes her head, grimacing. “No time for that today. I’ll pick up something on the way.”
Mae Koy sighs but doesn’t press the issue. “Just make sure you eat, okay? I don’t want you going hungry all morning.”
Orm nods quickly. “I will. Thanks, Mom. I’ve really got to go!”
Mae Koy waves her off with a gentle smile. “Alright, alright. Be careful on the road, and don’t stress too much. You’ll make it in time.”
“Thanks, Mom! Bye!” Orm shouts as she rushes out the door, her backpack slung over one shoulder.
••••
Despite arriving at campus almost late, Orm could finally breathe a sigh of relief after completing today’s exam. Although she hadn’t studied as much as she wanted, she managed to get through it quite well. The weight on her shoulders felt lighter after this exam because this particular course was crucial—if she had failed to attend or perform well, it could have jeopardized everything.
As the tension of the exam began to dissipate, Orm’s stomach started to growl, reminding her that she hadn’t eating in this morning. The hunger pangs grew stronger, and she realized she needed to eat something soon.
She glancing over at her three friends who were chatting nearby, Orm decided to make a suggestion.
“Hey, guys, let’s go grab something to eat,” she called out, her voice filled with the eager anticipation of a well-deserved meal.
