The Edelin Chronicles: The Search for Cindias

Chapter 1: Let's Start From the Beginning, Shall We?

The glare of the ray of sunshine that passes through the crystal clear window by my bed burns my eyes as I slowly start to gain consciousness, the aggravating tone of my alarm clock radiating across the room, warning me of oversleeping. I reach over, pounding on the alarm clock until it stops. I slowly sit up and rub my eyes, before immediately laying back down trying to go back to sleep. And yet, I felt someone nudge me awake, I open my eyes slightly, my sight bleary. As I see the vague shape of a messy bun and concerned yet stern face looking over me.

"Dawn, wake up, it's almost time for school," mom told me, as she removed the warm blanket, forcing the cold air outside of the blankets to reach my arms. I immediately curl in on myself, just wanting to go back to the world of my dreams, at least there I don't have to face school again. I try to bury my face in the pillows that surround my head until my mom knocked on the door again. So of course, there was no way of getting out of it.

My feet brush through the soft carpet as I trudge over to my dresser, putting on a simple white tee-shirt with a red jacket while pulling up black leggings with a skirt that start black but faded to gold and to give my feet some warmth, I put on some black socks as I went to the bathroom that I declared as mine, even though mom said it was 'technically the guest bathroom' but the number of guests who stay over is very few and far between, mainly friends of me or my mom. Anyways, I started brushing out my platinum blonde hair and slightly curling the ends, while settling for a natural pink lipstick and lightly apply golden eyeshadow. Deciding my hair and makeup were sufficient, I grab my black ankle boots and walk downstairs.

I walk into the kitchen, viewing it in its normal state, papers either from school or work scattered on one side of the dining room table, the counters filled with a variety of foods and cooking appliances, and the scent of every spice and flavoring in the world hit me like a wall of bricks. Unsure about what I could eat, I simply took a bowl from the cabinet and grabbed the cereal box before my mom stopped me.

"Hey sweetie, I made you breakfast scones, feel free to eat as many as you like," she said and gesturing to a plate by the stove. Low and behold, there was a plate of chocolate chip scones sitting there, shrugging I stroll up and take a few before sitting at the part of the table that isn't trashed by a truckload of papers.

"So are you excited for your first day of school?" she asks the dreaded question.

"Honestly, I'm not looking forward to another drudge fest," I tell her munching on another scone. She looked like her usual self when it came to this, hair tied in a messy bun, wearing either baggy clothes, or dressing like she was going to a fancy dinner party(which she probably wanted to go to), and of course, her expression was a concern.

"Why do you think that?" she asked worriedly. I sigh as I wash my dish in the sink, before putting it in the dishwasher.

"Because, I just feel like I'm in a place where there are people who care too much about their looks, popularity, or grades, or they care too less, it's hard to find anyone who isn't a snob, jock, mini-adult, or is probably getting away with abusing drugs," I say, organizing some the papers on the table that happened to be mine, and of course, needed for school.

"Well, it can't all be bad?" she says, grabbing my bag, as I organize my picture.

"Well, my consolation for this, is that after high school, my life trends upwards," I say as I swing the bag over my shoulder and walk out the door, with my mom following in toe.

"Just make sure you're safe, have a great first day," she says, kissing my forehead as I hug her and walk down the street to the bus stop. The sun was barely above the rows of houses that lined the road as I passed, walking past the local elementary school and its subsequent playgrounds, the large brick building of my youth, some younger kids walked passed me to make it to class, and I silently walk past, waving hello at some of the small children. Knowing that none of my friends would be there was one of the largest hurdles of my day, and I won't see them until I get there. Surely, one of the few things that are saving my sanity.

I approach the bus stop where everyone was paired off as if they were all parts of exclusive clubs that yours truly was never invited to. I stand off to the side, plugging in my earbuds to my phone and playing my car ride playlist, at least it would give me something to take my mind off the dread. I turn to the left to see the yellow chariot that carried me to the colosseum for slaughter.

The pairs soon morphed into a large mass as we tried to enter the bus to find a decent seat. I managed to get on to find a seat open near the front, dreading the fact that I'd get pummelled by some of the athletes or be offered drugs by the one shady guy who's always on the bus. I rush to the seat so I can get it for myself. More started filing on, including someone who looked very pale, and nervous. He was on the shorter side, so I naturally assumed he was a freshman with no ties to the school and was just starting. A sense of dread starts forming in the pit of my stomach as I moved my bag to let the poor boy have somewhere to sit. Once he sat next to me, it was clear he didn't want to talk, he pulled the hood of his jacket over his head and started playing on his phone. Which was fine, if he doesn't want to talk, I'll respect that. I stare out the window at the trees passing by, the other cars driving along the road, the calm songs playing against my ear. You could say I'm at a calm before the storm. Of course, I soon see the large building that I call Skyline High School. Both a place for learning and a hellhole. Well, today's going to be fun!