The sunlight passes through the small slit on the window casting a line of light on the floor. I try opening my eyes but they are quick to fall back.

It's time to get ready for school.

Nah, you have, what? Thirty minutes to get ready? You can spend five minutes for sleeping and waste the rest.

What? Oh, come on! I have a test today! Get up Eline!

But stupid Max spoilt all your time yesterday night. It's time to sleep!

Okay, I might've spent a minute arguing whether to sleep or not. I could've slept in that time, darn. Groaning, I rub my eyes wildly, hoping it will erase the sleepiness off. Stretching and making weird seal noises that I usually make when I wake up, I manage to sit upright.

I dart my eyes to the floor, slouching low and looking like I am ready to murder someone. I guess I must've sat in that manner for another minute.

Great job, 28 minutes left.

Yawning for the last time, I roll my bedsheet and toss it off to a corner, walking unwillingly to the washroom. I tiredly shut the door, slightly shivering by the slight flow of wind. With the click of the lock, I relieve myself.

Hurriedly brushing my teeth, I step into the marble tub, opening the water tap and taking a quick shower. The warm water makes its way through my hair strands and my skin. I shut my eyes, shampooing my hair while the sweet fragrance dissipates in the room. With some scrubbing, I find myself shivering and grabbing the white towel and wrapping it tight around my body.

My feet pat on the wet floor and I step out the door, immediately regretting as the cool air hits me.

Screw these AC's.

If I was pissed earlier, this might be even extreme. See, this is the problem with me. I hate being awake. Some people feel awake and fresh when they bath but that never works for me. Instead, I just feel like snoozing more.

The droplets hugging onto my damp hair fall rapidly on the floor. Hugging my arms closer to myself, I start walking. My wet footprints trace to my wardrobe. I see a set of skirts, dresses and some jeans and tees. I want to just put a hoodie and a pair of jeans but deciding that that's what I was wearing for the most part of the week, I take a light satin shirt paired with  black tights.

After changing, I look at the small mirror on the wall, trying to figure out how I look. I can only see my brows. What's the point of this mirror? Groaning , I switch on my phone, checking how I look before switching it back off.

Taking my comb, I brush it down my hair, not before drying it off. My hair stubbornly sticks together.

Ugh.

I take some oil in my palms, massaging my head and dabbing some on my hair. This time, the comb brushes through quite smoothly and I quickly braid it. Patting some talcum powder on my cheeks and face, I head towards my study desk, grabbing my heavy bag and slinging it over my shoulder.

Quickly opening my door and checking my watch, a smile plasters on my face. I still have five minutes left for the bus to arrive. I descend down the stairs, only hearing the monotonous sound of my feet against the steps. I see a busy Mel trying to fit her lunchbox in her Hello Kitty schoolbag.

I glance at my father's shocking presence at the dining table. He told me that he had another business meeting scheduled today..

I almost trip on the last step and sigh relief as I immediately catch the railing. Pa notices me and flashes a smile,  motioning me to sit. I nod, smiling back and sit down, placing my bag on the floor as I do so.

"You're supposed to have a meeting, Pa, " I say.

A glint of mischief lines his eyes.

"Don't want me to come home, Eline? What are you hiding?" he says, slightly raising his brow. I widen my eyes , shaking my head.

"I was just asking!"

A small chuckle escapes his lips and he shakes his head.

"I am serious pa!" I cry again. This time, he raises both his brows, half in amusement and half in wonder. But the happiness in his eyes slowly falls down, replaced with worry. I look at ma, who seems to just avert her gaze from us. She silently packs my lunch and hands it to me. I look down on my sandwich. I take the crispy goodness oozing cheese and slowly bite into it.

"How's studies going on, El?" he asks. I look at him, wondering why he suddenly has asked.

"It's going absolutely wonderful," I say, cringing a bit later at how professional I sounded.

"Not a surprise."

I smile softly.

"And.."

I raise my brow.

"Do you happen to know how Max is doing? He rarely talks to us. I am kind of worried about his education," Pa says, not softly this time as he would've already left for college.

"I... don't really know." My mind recollects one incident of him speaking on the phone with Eva Mary. I remember him rejecting how she teased him, calling him a nerd.

"You don't understand, Eva, I got just 91 out of 100. I am going to be screwed if my parents know," He spoke in a hushed voice to her. But he had no idea that I was just outside his door, hearing what he spoke. I don't know why I eavesdropped, but I guess I was just way too curious.

I would've told his marks to Pa but I knew that his marks would just depress them further. Unless he gets a complete 100 on 100, he is always screamed at.

He never wanted to choose engineering. I still vividly remember the day he was accepted into Dale's College of Engineering. He was almost about to cry. But he stood still, trembling, and ran to his room, shutting it so violently that I thought it would just fall off.

But I knew that he chose it just to see that smile on my parent's face. And they were happy at that time. God, they were on cloud nine. I remember them even holding  a party. But not some fun party, just some formal reunion with other formal and well trimmed people.

I don't blame them though. Max wanted to join arts. But they were certainly not happy.

"Choose some job that will pay you well. That will keep our heads high," they had said.

And now, the complete opposite is happening. He is getting horrible marks, only managing to cross 90 out of 100. It's a wonderful mark for anyone else,  but our family is an exception.  Just anything below the ninety-mark is enough for us to get grounded.

It is no wonder that the pressure got to his head. He just completely changed after a certain point.

But on the other hand, I have seen him struggling to get marks, seen him working day and night over something he never could understand and get interest in.  I have stood outside his door some days, hearing how he groaned aloud in frustration.  But I know that I can't do anything.  Or simply,  I won't.

The room turns silent again, with the only sound being the sizzling of the stove. I check my watch again. Perfect time.

"Ma, pa, I am leaving. Hurry up Mel," I say, grabbing my backpack and slinging it. I look back at Mel, who runs towards me with the bag jumping behind her. She waves excitedly at them, before tugging at my hand and we step out the door.

I couldn't help but feel the small part of my heart trying to reach out to Max.

And even after stepping in the bus, I feel the slight urge to just go and talk to him. Fix whatever went wrong. But I won't. He was the one who abandoned me. He was the one who just broke ties. He was the one who started this mess.

And even my soft spot for him won't help me to swallow my pride.

📝--------------------------------------------------------------

Hi guys! I felt like doing an A/N, so yes. It's my first take on a teen fic book . I would love to insert some humor as well, but like I mentioned in my profile, my humor ends up being horror.

So.. If you like this chapter and the previous one, do click that small star on the bottom.

That being said,

Later,

Splashes