Chapter 1
The first thing I saw when I woke up was my reflection in the mirror. Big, round eyes stared back at me, framed by the heavy, dark circles that had become a permanent fixture. "Still the same," I sighed, tracing the bags under my eyes with a fingertip. My eyes drifted to the digital clock on my bedside table: 5:00 AM. A whole hour and a half before I needed to leave for school at 6:30. Plenty of time, but the thought of the day ahead didn't exactly fill me with energy.
I shuffled over to my closet, the familiar creak of the wooden door echoing in the quiet room. I pulled out my school uniform: the pleated skirt and the crisp white blouse. Grabbing the ironing board from the corner, I set it up and started to iron out the wrinkles, the rhythmic hiss of the iron a soothing sound. Next, I opened my drawer and retrieved my cycling shorts and undergarments, neatly folded.
Towel in hand, I left my room and headed to the bathroom. The fluorescent light flickered to life as I flipped the switch, casting a sterile glow on the tiled walls. I turned on the faucet, and a stream of crystal-clear water gushed out. I hesitated, just looking at it. It was cold, so cold. The kind of cold that seeps into your bones and makes your skin crawl. I dreaded the initial shock, the way it would make my body tense and my breath catch in my throat.
I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the inevitable. Just as I was about to test the water, a knock echoed through the door. "Sis! Faster, it's Monday! We have a flag ceremony today!" It was Mariel, my cousin, her voice laced with the usual Monday morning urgency.
"Yeah, yeah," I mumbled, a yawn escaping my lips. I reached out and let the water trickle onto my thigh. The initial shock was as bad as I'd imagined, but after a few seconds, the water began to warm, a welcome relief. I waited a moment longer, gathering my courage, before finally stepping into the shower.
The cold stung at first, but I forced myself to push through it, my teeth chattering. I quickly wet my hair and reached for the shampoo, lathering it into my scalp until a cloud of fragrant bubbles formed. I rinsed, then reached for the conditioner, smoothing it through my hair and letting it sit while I washed my body with soap. Finally, I rinsed everything off, making sure to wash my face thoroughly to avoid any breakouts. The last thing I needed was a constellation of pimples to add to my already impressive collection of eye bags.