blue (book one) - h.s. ✔️ watty's 2019

chapter 6

The next morning I wake up feeling out of breath. It feels like there is literally someone choking my lungs with their bare hands for the sheer excitement of having doing it. I look down at the source of my momentary pain and am met with a head of messy hair. Groaning, I take a glance at the alarm clock and breathe out a breath of relief. It's only ten till five.

After prying a very sleepy Alex from around my waist, I head to my room to prepare for the day. Grabbing a towel, I take off my clothes and step under the already hot to the touch shower head. I pick up the soap and revel in the warmth the shower brings.

After applying shampoo and conditioner to my hair for the second time, I go over my legs one more time with my water resistant shaver and step out - towel wrapped around my torso.

Using my hand to wipe the steam from the hot water off of my mirror, I brush my teeth. The process is simple and quick as I sing through the entirety of my favorite Manchester Orchestra song. With the help of a little floss and mouth wash my mouth feels and smells minty fresh.

By the time I get done getting ready for the day my alarm clock reads seventeen minutes after six and I head towards Alex's room to wake him up. However, upon arrival I notice that the room once scattered with paper and pencils less than an hour ago is now semi cleaned up and Alex is missing from it. Initially, I feel a bit panicked and nervous, but then I remember that he apparently has many unscheduled meetings these days.

A subtle wave of anger floods my body from the way he now leaves without notice or even something short of an attempt sometimes. He never behaved this way until he joined that stupid frat club.

The boys there were not the nicest - to say the utmost least - and the way they portrayed themselves was degrading. Although Alex fights me constantly on this, myself and many others believe this to be the truth.

There wild behaviors affect everyone associated with them, or someone who stays with someone who associates with them. So, you can see why I didn't enjoy their company. The only good that comes out of Alex leaving with his friends is the fact that I have the car for the day.

Sighing, I lock up and head to school.

THE DRIVE TO SCHOOL is relaxing. In my head, I go over the completed assignments due for next week and pride myself in my diligence. As I pull into my usual spot in the student parking lot, I spot the car of my friend Kate.

The promise of Kate being in class today lightens my mood. Katherine Gaphney has been a great friend of mine since my arrival here last year. If it weren't for her, I would've been late to all of my classes for at least a week considering the greatness that is this school. Kate, similar to myself, has ambition. She graduated at the age of seventeen from a very tiny high school and has worked her way up to the top since then. This ambition is what initially drew us towards one another, but our love for many of the same things is what truly connects us.

Walking in to Psychology, I notice Kate in her normal seat - in the front - and take the seat next to her as more and more students walk in.

"Hey, Kate," I say.

"Parker," she greets with a smile. Her beautiful, blonde locks are curled to perfection today. She's wearing a pitch black pencil skirt and a turquoise button up: her usual.

"How have you been?" I ask knowing about her current situation. There has been rumor that she has been cut off financially. The gruesome details have yet to be unveiled and I refuse to barge into her personal life. She'll tell me with time or not. I'm fine either way.

Shying away, she mumbles incoherently and I motion for her to speak up.

"Tired," she starts.

"I've been working two jobs just to keep up with on campus living. It's really starting to get to me."