Hidden Between Us

Chapter 1:Just Another Day

“Sometimes the ordinary is loud enough to wake you, and quiet enough to remind you who you really are”

Sienna's Pov

I woke up to my alarm screaming at me like it had personal issues. I slapped it off and rolled over, hiding under my blanket for like two more minutes because mornings are the worst. Seriously, Who invented mornings anyway?

Through the thin curtains the sunlight was sneaking in and painting stripes across my floor. My room smelled faintly of leftover coffee from last night and whatever candle I thought looked cute but now kind of smells weird. Perfect

Downstairs I could hear Mom humming loudly and Dad’s voice booming like he was on the radio and Liam, my little brother, was probably destroying the kitchen again. Honestly that boy could find a way to make pancakes explode if he tried. It was chaos but kind of homey at the same time.

I rolled toward the edge of the bed so I could get up but guess what...

I over rolled and fell on the floor

Ow I grunted, pressing my hands against my sides. Just then Liam opens my door and peeks in

“Oh! So the floor’s your new favorite spot? Cool.”

"Thanks, I’ll file that under ‘things I didn’t need to know" I reply as slowly sit up. Liam was already inside my room looking around.

"What do you want?"

"Oh nothing, just wanted to tell you that breakfast's ready"

"Ok, now get out" I stand up immediately and shove him out of the room.

Wow, I didn't know I could stand that fast

I slowly walked to the bathroom and did my business and as I came out half dressed with only my baggy trousers on and my bra, I shoved my arms through my hoodie and grabbed my backpack. I ran downstairs like I was being chased by a Cheetah. Honestly I loved sprinting down the stairs, it just had that “I am a majestic, slightly unhinged gazelle and nothing can stop me” kind of vibe.

Getting downstairs, my mom was having breakfast.

"Ah, you're here"

“Sorry, Mom, gotta go byyyyeeee!” I waved dramatically, already halfway out the door. I was already late for class.I told myself walking fast was basically the same as being on time.

Coffee first? Yeah coffee first. Always coffee first. I pulled my phone out and scrolled through some memes while pretending to check my emails as I made a quick stop and got a cappuccino.

Campus was alive like it always is. Students rushing everywhere, some dude on a skateboard nearly hit me, and the smell of espresso was coming from literally every direction. I waved at a few people I knew and nodded at a couple of strangers who probably forgot my name as soon as I walked away.

I like this place, not because it is perfect or anything but because it feels mine. Every little thing is familiar. The cracked benches that squeak when you sit on them, the cafeteria that smells like burnt toast half the time, the library with those weird green chairs that no one actually wants to sit in. All mine

My friends are chill. Not the clingy type. I mean there is Sophie but she can be kind of dramatic sometimes. I met her first year and we just clicked. Not best friends forever or anything, just someone who texts you memes and shows up when she feels like it.

That is enough for me.

Classes are fine. Some are boring, some are okay, some make you feel like you are learning something. And some professors just really like to hear their own voice but I survive. I always survive.

Lunch was the usual. I grabbed a sandwich from the cafe and sat on the steps outside the student center, trying to enjoy the sun even though it was kind of hot and my backpack was digging into my shoulder. I watched people pass by. Everyone looks so busy. Everyone looks like they have it all together. And me? I am just here pretending I have it all together too.

Sometimes I wonder if this is all there is. Just walking around, surviving classes, trying not to spill coffee on myself, texting friends, scrolling through my phone. But maybe it is enough for now.

And then, of course, there is that tiny spark of curiosity that makes me think maybe something more is coming. Something I have no idea about yet. But that is for later. For now, I just chew my sandwich and scroll my phone and live my normal life. Ordinary, Simple, Mine.