Alone

prologue - the wave that came crashing

 prologue - the wave that came crashing

My eyes shutter open like the lens of a camera, indulging in the light that's diluted through the curtains. My limbs entangled in the warmth of the sheets, clinging to my torso comfortingly. I can feel the indents on my face, caused by the folds in my pillow, as my fingers crawl over my skin. I allow a deep breath into my lungs until I can hear my beating heart within my ears. 

My legs somehow find their way from their position and onto the floor. The wooden floorboards creak under my feet, as I stand poised at the edge of my bed. My dresser is opposite, a large mirror leant above it, and from this angle I can see myself within it. My hair hangs at odd directions, curls and twists resembling that of bird's nest. Dark circles hang underneath my eyes and swallow my entire face in them.

I make my way over to the dresser, opening the drawers and displaying the contents. I choose a pair of fluffy socks and quickly place my feet within them. Now the floor doesn't feel as close with every step.

I take a hair tie from the dresser and pry my hair into a ponytail, wrapping it tightly so it stays in place. My robe hangs in the corner of my room, perched on the hat rack which currently has clothes sprawled all over it. I cover my body within it, the soft material caressing my skin. Then I leave my room and enter the bathroom, splashing water on my face, attempting to awake from the heaviness of sleep that tugs at my every move.

I make my way through the kitchen which still has dirty dishes piled within the sink. My mother's always putting them off, but I don't mind helping her out. I know how much she gone through in the past year. With my older brother moving away, and her father passing away. 

I clutch the keys in my hands from the hook they hang from, and place it into the lock, turning it and opening the door, being welcomed with the sun and wind and warmth rushing towards me all at once. My feet dodge the parts on the pavement that are dusted with water from the sprinkles, and I lean towards the mailbox, prying it open. My fingers graze upon paper inside. 

I sort through them briefly, telling apart the bills from advertising. My eyes are halted upon the words of my name typed across the front of a letter, then I wonder for a moment who I would receive a letter from. Nothing springs to mind.

So my eyes follow along the next line, and there, in bold text reads Central Queensland University.

My whole body seems to freeze with excitement, curiosity and nerves. I clamber through the front door, rushing into my mother's bedroom. She still lies, her eyes alertly awake at the realisation of me standing in her doorway. The other side of the bed looks empty, especially with my father working away in the mines. 

I wave the letter in front of me, saying, "It's from the university, mum. It's my acceptance letter."

She hauls herself into a sitting position and responds in a croaky voice, "What are you waiting for? Open it."

I cringe at the sound of her voice, saying, "Do you need a glass of water? I'll get you one."

"Don't worry about me, just open the letter."

I do so, my fingers trembling as they do so, my mind filtering through a thousand possibilities. Could I be accepted? Or should I be expecting the worse?

My eyes scan the printed text in front of me, 

Dear Kya Anderson, 

Regarding your enrolment at Central Queensland University, we are...

"Read it out loud, would you?" Mum's voice breaks through my concentration.

I read the words, my mouth barely making noise, but I continue on.

We are sorry to inform you that your interest in this course has been denied. 

Denied.

Denied.