On This Little Planet

Chapter 3

I awoke to the loud sound of a fire alarm screaming in my face. I flew out of bed and raced out of my room. My heart was pounding, anxiety growing. My head felt like it was spinning rapidly. 

I made it outside, the crisp cool air blasted at my semi-bare body. My legs were covered only by shorts and my chest covered only by a tank-top. I anxiously moved my arms trying to cover myself. The cops came around to each family and checked on them, allowing them to explain what they witnessed and allowing each to go inside. I contemplated allowing myself back inside, my thoughts were suddenly interrupted by James loudly coming up to me.

"Dammit can't sleep with all this," he paused,"but hey at least I slept on the plane." I laughed at his goofy remark. He noticed my shivers and shyly handed me his jacket. I stared at him momentarily and then accepted his gift. I threw the large warm hoodie over my head. He grinned at me before making a joke. "It guess this might be your new dress huh?" I laughed and agreed.

I couldn't help but wonder how he was so energetic at the moment. I could barely keep my eyes open and my head was spinning with confusion. How long are we going to be out here,  who did it, why?  These were some of the questions I had.

About 30 minutes later, James and I were on our way back to our rooms. I hugged him bye and rushed into my room... well rushed about as fast as a zombie goes.

At 6:00 am my phone alarm went off telling me to wake up. I groaned, then rolled over to check my phone and wake up. I noticed a text from James. I smiled. "Hey want to get coffee this morning? Maybe 7?" I quickly responded with a yes, asking where then got out of bed to get ready.

I took a brief shower, just long enough to put me in a good, relaxed, and awake state. As I got out I stared at my reflection. I was pale yet tan. I would say a good medium but... good? Probably not. My hair, it was new purple and lay unruly on my body reaching my hips. How plain. I've had this same hairstyle for my whole life. The only crazy thing I've done is just recently dying it. As I stared longer, I realised how plain I was. I was entirely average. How am I here? There's nothing about me that stands out or inspires or even makes you think for a second longer.

I grasped my face and pulled at my cheeks. The sniffling began. I rubbed my eyes and walked to my suitcase. Of all the clothes neatly packed I saw none that proved me to be anything other than plain. Anger flooded over in me. "It's okay" I repeated to myself. I convinced myself that although I'm plain I am stylish, minimalism is a style.

Now, I get dressed. Now, my day starts. If I were to deny my excitement about my coffee date soon to happen then, well, I'd be the biggest liar ever. I struggled to find an outfit that I could deem appropriate for it, eventually I landed on a plain get up. Plain white T-shirt. Plain denim shorts. Plain white vans. And lastly a plain cherry chapstick tucked safely in my pockets next to my plain black cased phone.

Before I left my room I took one last check in the hotel mirror. After a sigh I was off to meet James for a coffee.