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The next morning, I wake up feeling groggy, the events of last night still lingering in my mind. I drag myself out of bed and head to the bathroom, brushing my teeth in silence. The sound of running water fills the room as I take a quick shower, trying to shake off the heaviness from yesterday. At least the routine feels familiar, like something I can control.

Afterward, I head to the kitchen and pour myself a bowl of fruity cereal. It's simple, nothing fancy, but it'll do. I eat quietly, staring out the window, trying not to think too much. My thoughts drift between the broken laptop and the biology exam, but I push them aside for now. There's no point in stressing over it before the day even starts.

Once I'm done, I rinse my bowl, get dressed, and grab my backpack. I double-check that I have everything I need for school, even though a part of me knows today will be rough without my laptop. With a final glance around, I head out the door, ready to face whatever this day throws at me.

The bus ride to school is surprisingly calm today, which is exactly what I need. I find an empty seat near the back, settle in, and let my thoughts drift as the bus moves steadily through the streets. The gentle hum of the engine and the soft chatter from the other passengers create a quiet, almost soothing atmosphere. I lean my head against the cool glass of the window and watch the world go by—cars passing, people walking their dogs, the occasional bike rider weaving through traffic. It's peaceful, and for a moment, I let myself forget about the stress waiting for me at school.

As we approach the school, I straighten up, feeling a bit more grounded. The bus pulls to a stop, and I grab my backpack, slinging it over my shoulder as I step off. The cool morning air hits my face as I walk toward the building, the familiar sight of students filing in through the main doors. It's the same routine as always, but today, there's a strange sense of calm hanging over me. Maybe it's the quiet bus ride or the fact that I'm getting used to dealing with things as they come. Either way, I take a deep breath and head inside, ready for whatever comes at me.

As I make my way through the hallway, I suddenly feel someone grab me from the side, pulling me into a big, warm hug. I glance over and see April grinning at me, her arm wrapped around my shoulders. "Hey, you!" she says brightly, her energy instantly lifting my mood. I can't help but smile as she falls into step beside me, her presence a welcome distraction from everything swirling in my head. "You look like you could use some cheering up," she adds, giving me a playful nudge as we walk together toward our lockers.

I chuckle and unzip my backpack, revealing the disaster that is my busted-up laptop. April's eyes widen as she takes in the cracked screen and missing keys. "There's no way I'm gonna survive the rest of the school year without this thing. Literally nooo way," I say, shaking my head in disbelief. The reality of it hits harder now that I'm actually showing someone.

April gives me a sympathetic look, her arm still around my shoulder. "Oh man, that's rough," she says. "Can you get it fixed?" I shrug, feeling a little hopeless. "I don't even know if it's worth fixing at this point," I admit, closing my backpack with a sigh.

I watch as April's eyes light up, and she suddenly looks like she's had a genius idea. "Y'know," she starts, taking her arm off my shoulder and planting her hands firmly on her hips, "I might know someone who can fix that up in literally no sweat." She's standing there like she just solved all my problems, and I can't help but raise an eyebrow at her enthusiasm. There's no way she's serious. My laptop looks like it's been through a war zone, and no amount of optimism can change that.

I laugh, a mix of disbelief and amusement bubbling up inside me. "Really, April? Do you not *see* the state of my laptop right now?" I ask, pulling the wrecked device out of my backpack again for emphasis. "The screen is almost entirely gone, there are keys missing, and it won't even turn on. I mean, look at it!" I hold it up, showing her the sticky mess of soda residue and shattered plastic, like it's the most obvious lost cause ever. "This thing's toast," I say, shaking my head.

But April just grins, clearly unfazed by my doubts. "I'm telling you, my guy can fix anything. He's a total tech genius. Trust me, it'll be like brand new," she insists, as if this so-called 'tech guy' of hers has magic powers. Her confidence almost makes me believe it could be possible, but I'm still skeptical. "You've gotta give me more than that," I say, half-laughing. "Who is this miracle worker, and why haven't I heard of him before?"

She crosses her arms and gives me a knowing look. "Because I didn't think you'd need him until now," she replies with a wink. "But trust me, you'll be thanking me when your laptop is back to life." I sigh, part of me still doubtful, but another part—maybe the desperate part—willing to give anything a shot at this point. "Alright, fine. Let's see what your tech guy can do," I say, stuffing the broken laptop back into my bag.

After school, I hand over my battered laptop to April, wrapped in a plastic bag, hoping for a miracle. "Good luck," I say, giving her a half-smile, though inside I'm filled with doubt. She gives me a confident nod and takes the bag like she's got everything under control. As she walks away with it, I can't help but feel a little lighter, as if I've passed the weight of my tech disaster onto her. Now all I can do is wait and hope her mysterious tech guy can actually pull this off.

When I get home, I immediately head for the shower, letting the hot water run over me, trying to clear my mind. I had planned to dive right back into studying after school, but without my laptop, that plan is dead in the water. The thought frustrates me—I was finally on a roll, and now I'm stuck. As I towel off, I can't help but feel lost without it. My room feels strangely empty without my usual study setup, and I have no idea how I'm going to stay on top of everything now.

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End

◄ Ty again for reading!! Y'know I do wonder who this tech guy is that April is yapping about how he can fix your laptop.. we'll see.. soooooonnn~ ►

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