Creatures

As I woke up, a throbbing headache greeted me, making me groan as I struggled to get out of bed. Glancing over at Alice, still fast asleep despite my discomfort, I wondered how she managed late-night volleyball practices without feeling drained. The looming big game added to my confusion—why the rush for something still far off?

Checking the bedside clock, its glowing numbers mocked me with the early hour: 5:30 AM. Sighing, I felt exhaustion weigh me down. Putting on the plush slippers my dad had sent me months ago, a small gesture of his care amidst my stepmother's hostility, brought a faint smile to my lips.

Just as I was about to get up, my alarm blared, disturbing the room's peace. Quickly turning it off, I hoped Alice wouldn't be too bothered after what must have been a demanding day.

Quietly, I told myself, "I'll fill her in on today's lectures later." With that settled, I picked out my outfit for the day from the closet. After debating for a while, I settled on wearing my skirt It wasn't my usual choice, but today it felt right. Pairing it with my uniform Blazer that has my school Logo on it with flats, and a matching sage green claw clip, I felt a surge of confidence in my appearance.

In the bathroom, I laid out my clothes and took a quick shower, mindful of the ticking clock reminding me of my lateness. Rushing to dry my hair and get dressed, I finally dashed out the door, ready to face whatever the day had in store.