Eucentria: One Moonless Night

Chapter 1 - The Wheels of Fate Turn

Chapter 1 - The Wheels of Fate Turn

The sound of birds singing rings through my ears as I slowly drift back from a long sleep. Vehicles passing by and bikes' bells bellowing me to wake up. I sit up from my bed and rub the remaining drowsiness off my eyes. Putting on earphones, I play a melody that soothes my soul and walk up to open my window.

Past the bustling crowd of students and occasional honking of cars, I see the landscape I had been admiring from afar ever since I was a child and as I stare at the beautiful scenery, I always wonder what it'd be like to go on adventures and reach far off places that anyone could ever dream of. Letting myself be dragged into my fantasies, I let out a sigh of longing and admiration.

Then suddenly, my thoughts were pulled back as a deafening screech came bursting down the other side of my door.

"Ash Peridot Rosanna Quixote! Do you not have plans on going to school?! This is the third time I shouted and you're not even coming out! Do you know what time it is?! I'm gonna be late for work! Don't make me come inside and drag you out myself." My sister who's apparently late for work shouted from in front of my room. She threatened me but as soon as she's done talking, she left.

I didn't think much of it since that's basically her morning routine but as I shift my gaze to the clock on top of my study table, I realize the weight of the situation. I'm thirty minutes past my usual waking time!

Muttering some incoherent profanities along the way, I hurriedly change out of my pajamas and take a quick bath. Then, I perch the hair dryer on a hook nailed to the wall and let it on to dry myself as I quickly change into my school uniform. 

I grabbed my bag and ran down the stairs to the kitchen. My sister was there sitting on the table waiting for me.

"Took you long enough." She rolled her eyes in annoyance.

"I know. I know." It was all I could say for even I don't know why I woke up so late and didn't even hear a single alarm.

I snatched a toast from the table and said, "C'mon sis, let's go."

"Wait, you have to eat more than that." She said as she folded her arms in the seat.

Grumbling, I gulp down the remaining toast and pulled her off the chair. "We don't have time. You said so yourself didn't you?"

"Your health comes first, you idiot. Mom's gonna kill me if you get sick again." She insisted but stood up nonetheless.

"I'll be fine. I can just buy from the school cafeteria. You can't afford to be late too you know." I replied.

She thought for a moment and gave in. Covering up the untouched food on the table, we then went our separate ways to both school and office.

I knew I was late but I just kept a normal pace. No use running now since I'll be able to catch up to second period anyway. I sighed. If it were just me, I would still be at home taking my time but my sister never leaves the house without me whenever it's a school day. I don't want to be a burden, so as much as possible, I try to get up early to match her time in going to work.

Looking up to the clear blue cloudless sky, I smile to myself.

I walk down the road to my school and pass by a lot of familiar faces. Greeting them one at a time, I manage to go through without hassle.

One block, two blocks, three, I count as I near the school entrance. There, the security guard greets me. "For someone this late, you seem to be calm." He smirked.