Not You

Chapter Six

The moment Kady's bedroom door was closed and the outside world felt as far away as it could, Kady dropped her bag to the floor and herself onto her bed. Exhaustion felt like it had taken over every single bone in her body, every fibre of her being screaming at her to sleep- to forget. But she couldn't. Rolling onto her back, legs still dangling off the side of the bed, Kady stared up at her ceiling and let out a shaky sigh. When did life get so difficult? Kady closed her eyes tight, her face scrunching up with the motion, and she shook her head. She didn't have the energy to ponder that question or every single further question that would come from it.

Kady let out a quiet sob that surprised even her. I'm too tired to cry. She let out a bitter laugh at that thought before finally dragging her legs up onto the bed and opting to attempt to sleep again. After all, lying here was all she had energy left for.

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The alarm ringing signalled the beginning of another terrible day for Kady; she groaned as she rolled to her side, each movement of her limbs sparking an ache deep in her skin, and slowly reached over to her phone, squinting at the screen as she looked for the snooze button. Kady let out an almost satisfied sigh as the alarm finally stopped its blaring noise and she could turn back to the wall, closing her eyes once more.

Unfortunately for her, she knew herself quite well and had set up multiple backup alarms. Nine minutes later and she was roused from sleep once more, fumbling behind her this time to once again snooze the damn alarm. It took some effort but Kady was ultimately successful, snuggling herself back into the comfort of her duvet and pulling it up around her head as she pressed her face into her pillow, hoping she'd miss the next alarm somehow. At least I'd have an actual excuse as to why I'm late. Maybe I just... shouldn't go at all. Kady smiled sleepily at the idea, quickly drifting back into sleep.

Maybe she should have gotten up after the second alarm after all- something Kady became a little more convinced of when her mother's annoyed voice bled into her dreams.

"Kady, wake up. Right now." She certainly didn't sound pleased, that's for sure. Kady groaned as she woke up and rolled over, still wrapped in her duvet, and met her mother's stern gaze.

"I don't want to," Kady whined, shuffling further into her duvet and away from her mother's displeased stare. Kady could hear her mother's muffled groan; she almost felt bad until the duvet was ripped away from her. "Mum!" Kady shot upright, shivering at the sudden cool air of her bedroom. Her mother felt no remorse, instead glaring down at her and crossing her arms.

"Kady Creed, you are going to be late to college. Get yourself out of bed before I get you out myself." She punctuated her words by placing her hands on her hips, and Kady really did feel a little intimidated, though the image of her mother dragging her out of bed did bring a chuckle to her lips- one her mother did not share if the fury on her face was anything to go by. Kady's sigh turned into a groan but nonetheless she obliged, swinging her legs off of her bed and shooting her mother a resigned pout.

"I mean... I'm going to be late anyway, might as well not go." Kady mumbled, hoping she could still possibly sway her mother to her side- she could not.

"You got that logic from your father." Kady's mother sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Please get up, you're not skipping college for no reason. I'll give you a lift on my way to work." Kady didn't budge further until a sharp look from her mother had her immediately standing.

Kady wasn't left alone until she was in the bathroom, her mother also knowing her too well, and finally, she resigned herself to her fate.

Ten minutes later and Kady was surprisingly ready- well, as ready as she could be in ten minutes. She was showered, dressed, her teeth were brushed, but no breakfast, no hair drying or brushing, and certainly no time to check any missed messages. Not that she usually got many, but she was certain she'd have at least one from Symphony, if not more.