A Classroom Affair

Chapter 5

I awaken to soft rays of light filtering through the edges of my curtains. I vaguely remember draining the bathtub last night and crawling into bed naked, too tired to bother with clothes. With a groggy stretch, I reach for my alarm clock, expecting it to blare the usual wake-up call. To my surprise there are still two more hours left before I need to start my day, normally I need to hit snooze a bunch of times before even contemplating opening my eyes. It seems the relaxing bath from last night worked its magic, lulling me into a deep, uninterrupted sleep.

I sit up in bed, stretching the stiffness out of my joints. A satisfying crack emanates from my back, eliciting a groan. At just twenty years old, I shouldn't be feeling this creaky.

I watch as sunlight dances playfully around my room, casting warm hues on the walls. The sound of birds chirping outside adds to the peaceful ambiance. This moment, right now, is the most serene morning I've ever experienced. I remind myself to embrace it, to soak in this rare tranquility before the day's hustle and bustle begins.

The smell of bacon and eggs wafts up from the kitchen, coaxing me to get out of my comfortable cocoon of blankets as my stomach rumbles. I throw on my satin robe and head downstairs where I know a delicious breakfast will be waiting for me.

I shuffle into the kitchen, drawn by the sizzle of the frying pan. My mom stands at the stove, expertly flipping the eggs. Despite her skill, the dark circles under her eyes are impossible to miss. I can't help but wonder if she managed to get any sleep last night.

"Scarlett? Up so early, honey?" My mom's voice cuts through the morning stillness, her surprise evident as she notices me in the corner. I've never been a morning person, so I can imagine how unusual it must seem to her.

"I don't know why, but I'm not gonna question it," I reply with a shrug, joining in her laughter.

My mom sets a plate of breakfast in front of me, and I eagerly dig in. The food is delicious, and I'm grateful for her cooking.

"So, do you have any plans for this weekend?" she asks, breaking the pleasant silence. I furrow my brow, momentarily confused, until I realize that it is indeed Saturday. My heart sinks momentarily as I realize I won't see my professor until next week, but then I shake off the feeling. It's unlikely he's thinking of me right now, so there's no reason for me to dwell on it.

"Uh, not really. Just the usual grind—studying and wrapping up my Lit project," I reply, the boredom evident in my voice as I contemplate the looming workload. It's frustrating that most of the classes I'm taking this year are unrelated to my major, but I need the credits.

My mom shoots me a sympathetic look, her eyes reflecting pity. I'm well aware that I rarely go out to socialize, but it's just fine for me to stay inside and get things done.

"Oh, honey, why don't you go study at that nice bookshop we found down the street?" my mom suggests, her tone kind and encouraging.

I ponder her suggestion for a moment as she joins me at the table for breakfast. The bookshop she's referring to is a cozy spot with abundant natural lighting and lush plants—an ideal setting for studying. I recall the last time I was there, the resident shop cat had crossed my path, instantly lifting my spirits. Maybe, just maybe, a visit there would provide the motivation I need.

"Yeah, that's a good idea. I'll walk over later when they open up," I reply, noticing the surprise in my mom's expression. She seems almost shocked that I've agreed.

"Well, I'll be heading into work soon, so please take your pepper spray and be careful, okay?" she says, her concern evident in her voice.

I want to remind her that the neighborhood and surrounding city are a lot safer than the one we moved from, but I humor her wishes and nod in agreement. After all, it's better to be safe than sorry, even if I think her worries are a bit exaggerated.