Nap Time

Chapter 1- Morning

Zoe blinked once then half opened her sleep deprived eyes. A long night of cramming for finals made her body feel heavy and sluggish as she lifted her head off the pillow and sat up under the covers. She glanced around at the sporadic piles of notes filling her bed, and made her way to the floor with minimal movement, so as to not disturb the last nights confusing organization. The sun streamed through her window with a blinding glare that made her wince and close one eye. Barely awake, Zoe shuffled to her vanity, and examined herself. Same wiry red hair that can't be tamed with anything other than superglue, same blue gray eyes that reminds her of toothpaste mixed with water, and same pale skin that refuses to do anything but dry out and burn. Yup, she was just normal 'ol Zoe today. No fancy hair ribbons or pretty earrings. Only her. There's no reason to impress anyone today with my hideous features, she thought.

       A bird chirped outside somewhere. Zoe opened her vanity drawer and shuffled through her collection of beauty products until her hand locked onto her brush. with military precision, she started violently brushing her bedhead from root to tip, determined to tame the orange beast that was her hair. When the last of the knots had been ripped out of her hair, she pulled a blue elastic off her wrist, leaving a red bracelet where the circulation had been restricted. She threw her hair up in a messy low ponytail and started on her wardrobe. A plain white door stood in the middle of the wall beside her vanity. Without having to move, she opened the door, revealing a small, stuffy closet. She pulled on a frayed string hanging down just inside the door and a small lightbulb illuminated the dark space. She wasted no time in walking directly to the back of her closet and digging through her pants. She pulled out her hand-me-down almost-too-baggy sweat pants and threw an old shirt emblazoned with a heart on top of the growing pile in her arms. with a click of the light, Zoe exited her closet with the day's garments of choice. Her bra and mismatched underwear came out of her drawer located near her bedroom door, and were the first to make their way onto her body. she slipped on the shirt, tightened the waistband strings on her sweats, and trudged out of her room to the rest of the world.

         She exaggerated each step heading down the carpeted stairs to the kitchen, as to further emphasize her displeasure for the days activity. The kitchen was spotless, as per usual, and, also as per usual, Zoe found a small handwritten note on the fridge reading:

Went For Groceries

Be Home Soon.

Good Luck! Mom XOXO

        Zoe sighed and opened the fridge door, and to her dismay, instantly saw why the spontaneous shopping trip was needed. a half full carton of eggs, orange juice, and a bottle of mustard occupied the large space, save for a few crumb-filled containers and food spills that have yet to be cleaned up. Weighing her few options, she decided it best to eat the only food item she saw. Two eggs sizzled in a pan on the stove as she drained the rest of the orange juice and tossed the container into the garbage bin under the sink. She flipped the eggs with a spatula onto her plate, and sat at the lonely table for a quick breakfast. As soon as breakfast was over, Zoe put her plate in the sink and walked to the front door. She slipped on her sneakers and grabbed her car keys before heading out the door into the brand new day.

          Zoe yawned and sneezed as the sunlight hit her directly in the eyes. She stumbled forwards and tripped over the daily paper, causing her to fall flat on her face on the driveway. Another wonderful start to a wonderful day, she thought. With a slight groan, she pushed herself to her feet and walked to the beat-up old Honda, which was resting peacefully in it's asphalt bed. Zoe pressed a button on her key fob and the car beeped once,twice, and then clicked. She opened the door to the drivers' side and settled into the dusty seat. She put her key into the small hole beside the wheel and turned right. The car roared to life, but sputtered and soon scilenced. With more determination, Zoe drove the key harder, and the car answered by gasping and wheezing to life, stalling once, but then resuming its healthy hum.This is going to be a long day, she thought to herself as she put the car in reverse and backed away from her home.