Why Do I? (GirlxGirl)

Chapter 1: Intro to Cadence

Allison's Perspective

"Allison! Wake up, or you'll be behind schedule before the year even begins!"

My mother's voice accompanied a sharp staccato of knocks against my bedroom door. I groaned into my pillow, the sound muffled by layers of duvet. I fumbled for the phone on my nightstand, squinting through the harsh blue light of the screen. 6:30 AM. It was a cruel hour for a day that was technically supposed to be celebratory.

I forced myself out of bed and into a steaming shower, trying to wash away the lingering fog of sleep. I opted for a maroon oversized sweater and black skinny jeans—a look that felt effortless but intentional. After drying my hair and twisting it into a loose, calculatedly messy bun, I slid on my glasses. My eyes felt too tired for the irritation of contact lenses today.

Downstairs, the kitchen smelled of dark roast coffee and sizzling bacon.

"Good morning, Mom," I said, leaning over to press a brief kiss to her cheek before taking my seat.

"Good morning, sweetheart. Your sister had to leave at dawn to finalize the opening ceremonies." My mother slid a plate of eggs and bacon in front of me. She watched me for a moment, her eyes narrowing in that way that usually preceded a lecture. "Have you given any more thought to the Student Council? There are still vacancies for sophomore representatives."

The familiar weight of expectation settled in my chest. As the school's Head Counselor, my mother saw the campus as a ladder; she simply wanted to make sure I was climbing it.

"Mom, we've discussed this," I replied softly, kept my gaze on my breakfast. "I don't think I'm cut out for the bureaucracy of student government. I'm not... official."

"I'm not asking you to be 'official,' Allison. I just want you to have a stake in your own experience before life gets too serious," she countered, though her voice lacked its usual edge. She must have seen the distant look in my eyes because she sighed and patted my shoulder. "I'm not forcing you. I just want you to leave this place with more than just a diploma. I want you to have memories."

I gave her a small, tight smile. "I'm still just a sophomore, Mom. I have time."

"Time moves faster than you think," she remarked, checking her watch. "Finish up. We're leaving in ten minutes."

The campus was alive with the frantic energy of a new semester. It had been announced that formal instruction wouldn't begin until tomorrow, leaving today as a grace period for the freshmen to lose themselves in the hallways. It was a thoughtful touch—likely the handiwork of my sister, Audrey. Since she had been elected Student Council President, the school felt less like an institution and more like a community.

I was lost in thought, wandering near the quad, when a pair of arms wrapped around my waist from behind.

"Morning, Ally!"

I turned to find Audrey beaming at me, her chest heaving slightly as if she'd run across the entire football field just to say hello. She gestured grandly at the vibrant banners and clusters of balloons decorating the pillars. "So? Give me your professional opinion. How does it look?"