Comatose Feeling

Chapter One

Mornings were always rushed. It didn't matter if it was for any particular reason, things just happened to run better if she went through her morning routine faster than the average person. Today just didn't seem to be one of those days. After a night of fitful sleep, Alena couldn't bring herself to get up and answer her mother pounding insistently at her bedroom door. Because she was so used to leaving the blinds open at night for the moonlight to seep in, mornings always brought a bright, blistering sunlight in through the window, with her blinds rolled up.

Right as soon as she started to doze again, "Alena Marie Taylor, if you don't get out of bed right this second, I promise I will break down this door!"
A small smile crept onto Alena's face, as she imagined the scene actually playing out. Of course, her mother would never go through with said breaking of the door. A casual routine seemed to envelope the Taylor household, playful bantering included. And as Alena begged for a few more hours of the world leaving her alone, school awaited.

"I'm coming Mom." She grumbled into the air. On the other side of the door, Alex Taylor, mother of 17-year-old Alena, smiled sweetly, knowing the routine played through.

Unlike most families, it was just the two of them, ready to take on the world with just their female power. It had been just the two of them for the longest time, and without a doubt, it would be like that for the rest of their lives.

Inside the bedroom, Alena finally stepped out on the tile floor of her bedroom, her socked feet twitching. A satisfying pop sounded from her shoulder as she stretched, getting rid of the night's kink.

Like every morning, she went about getting ready. Teeth were brushed, hair was pulled into a bun for her shower, and eyeliner and mascara painted her face when she was cleaned and dried. Like every routine, there was a set time for... everything. She made her way down the stairs like she did every morning. Alex was at the breakfast bar, drinking a cup of coffee. Cream and sweetener, just how she liked it. "Sleep must be for the weak. Does that make me strong?" Alena mumbled to her mom as she crossed her arms staring at her, leaning on the kitchen entrance.

With that, her mom looked up at her with grimace. Under that playful grimace, Alena noticed the teasing twinkle in her eye. "If sleep is for the weak, then I'm fragile, and on the verge of breaking." A hearty laugh bubbled it's way up Alex's throat, coating the air in happiness.

"Ain't that the truth." As Alena made her way into the kitchen, she grabbed her own mug, filling it with flavored creamer, sweetener, and her best friend, trying to brace herself for the day ahead of her. Like every morning.

"Oh don't be such a grumpy pants! Take a nap when you get home. Are you hungry?" Without any hesitation, her mother reached for a spoon from the silverware drawer. Routine.

Was Alena hungry? Yes, but she couldn't bring herself to eat anything more than a slice of toast. "I can get it. Don't break as you try to get up."

And like any other morning, they went about their usual. Alex rinsed her cup and put it in the dish-washer. Alena finished her toast and jelly, gulped the cooled coffee, and did the same. "Do you think you will be home early, or am I on my own for dinner?" And like a routine, she knew the answer already.

Alena didn't blame her mother for her absence. She couldn't hold it against her mom for trying so hard to make it in the world while also raising a teenage daughter. Without a father around, she couldn't be there every second for her daughter, as much as she wanted to. Alena knew she wanted to. Her long hours, and 7 day a week job didn't change the simple fact, Alena was her entire world, and always would be. And like the rest of their routine, her mother just stared at her, pursing her lips, before the foreseen answer came. "Maybe tomorrow. What do you want to eat?"