Dusk and Dawn

I am Art

Dawn.

The sun beats down on me once again, illuminating the entire room with its brilliance. Even when barely conscious, I can feel the sun gently caressing me. Despite its tenderness, I am not in the mood for this right now because it's still too early for me to wake up. Besides, there's nothing but school awaiting me if I were to awaken from this slumber. And so, I continued to persist against the forces of the mighty sun. However it was all for naught. As the sunrays grow fiercer, I finally succumbed to its indomitable force after tossing and turning in bed for a solid hour.

Ahh, I thought to myself as I got off bed, how I wish the sun had a switch. Quite the insensitive prick if you asked me. Disturbing my sleep and all.

The beginning of yet another day; and so begins my daily routine. First, getting rid of the grogginess by splashing cold water continuously unto my face until it goes away. I sometimes almost become sympathetic with Grogginess; it feels as if it's getting kicked out of its home. Then brushing my teeth, because I have been told restlessly from a very young age that I'm supposed to do so (In this world, there are just things that you just cannot question, things that have been enrooted very deeply into society and that have become the norms long ago). And finally, the ritual reaches the final phase: changing into my school uniform (I somehow fancy my uniform. Perhaps, it's because I have a uniform fetish (I especially like the girl's uniform (which is partly why I picked this school))). After successfully completing this ritual (which I never fail to (more so, I need to) perform everyday), grub awaits. However, I need to fix my own breakfast as I am currently living alone in an apartment complex. Everything comes with its pros and cons, its benefits and drawbacks. Moving out and living alone is no exception. There are no curfews, and you can do whatever you like whenever the fancy strikes. On the flip side though, knowing how to cook is a must because you cannot afford to eat out all the time (I think that's the only con; man, I love living alone). And because of the fact that I'm living alone, I have acquired world-class culinary skills (yes, I'm exaggerating) and am able to prepare a versatile range of extravagant dishes. But today, I'll just be subtle and settle with Omurice.

After chowing down my grub, it's time to set out for school. Today's Thursday, my favorite day of the week, partly because it's almost the weekend, but mostly because I have my favorite classes today, maths (for the first two periods) and physics (the third period). Well that seems nerdy. But I am nerdy. Haven't I told you that? Oh right, I have not yet introduced myself yet, now have I? I go by the name Art, short and sweet. I am a 16 year old, and a sophomore in Gamaran High School. I have naturally blonde hair and light blue eyes which catch the attention of many, as they think I am of foreign blood (which I am (thus the foreign-sounding name); my mother is a Brits, but my father is a bona fide Japanese). My height of 5'9" (which makes me stick out like a sore thumb) complements my build rather well if I'd say so myself. Along with my strangely colored hair and eyes, it sometimes feel as if I am under scrutiny of the mass (Let me clarify: I am by no means popular. People just find my appearance peculiar).

A mere 15 minutes on foot and I arrived at school today. Occasionally, I'd stop by the bookstore on the way to school, and most of the time get a book or two for leisure reading, but for once I didn't, not because I wasn't in the mood to read (I always welcome reading; I am a book fanatic after all), but because I was in the red, and my payday is still many moons away. Other times, I would take a long stroll at the park just after our school. The park, enveloped with thick layers of trees, has always been a favorite place of mine; it gives me a sense of peace and tranquility (you need to appreciate the little things in life to enjoy it to the fullest). Thus, I have arrived at Gamaran.