Room 23 student's memoirs

Gently my eyes flutter open.

I sit up gingerly, my hair matted from the nights adventures and my blankets still clinging to my legs. Outside, the morning seems as reluctant as I am to face the day. The sky is an inky blue, the edges of the horizon a blend of candyfloss and honey. Dew glimmers on the grass like tiny diamonds and I can just make out the silhouette  of a cat stretching in the dawns embrace. Sleep still wants me stuck in the warmth and safety of my bed, but I struggle against it, stumbling, falling, thrashing my way down the narrow hallway for breakfast.

The sound of homemade tinkling noisily into my awaiting bowl awakens me from my trance. I slop yoghurt messily on top and milk spills over the muesli and bench top as I rub residue from my wary eyes. I dig in, the oast and coconut feeling like sandpaper on my tongue and before I know it, the muesli is gone. The rest of the morning getting ready is a drag. I move slowly around the house, picking things up and dropping them, wandering pointlessly until I realise how late it is. 8.15 flashes in my face as I grab my bag and attempt to pull my shoes over my grubby white socks. I feel my face turn pink from strain, and as I turn around, I see Marcia pull fish faces at my window. Marcia isn't a fish, shes my best friend, and she is early. I glance at the clock. 8.20. Okay, maybe not late. On time.

"COMING" I bellow, skidding into the bathroom to kiss mum goodbye. The 30 second conversation is the same "Got your lunch?" "Yes mum" "Homework?" "Yes mum" "Cellphone?" "Yes mum". "Goodbye" "Love you" "You too". I race outside to find Marcia standing there.

"No need to rush"

Everything is wet and shining with morning mist, a rainbow hanging like a banner overhead. Spring is begging to emerge, magenta, saffron and lush green flowers brushing my legs as I walk. Behind me, a stream of bubbles and ducks weave in and out of the pond weeds, searching for breakfast. It sounded like a dream, or a fairytale. But it wasn't. If this is a fairytale, this is the part where I am trapped in a castle. No, I was walking to school.

Ashleigh Young