by etchnyx » Tue Apr 03, 2018 8:09 pm
You can make policies ten miles long. You can govern students lives with bells. You can give them pointless assignments that prepare them only for tests but trick them into thinking it will prepare them for life. But that will never change the sad truth that Ashton hid behind his curtain. There he lied in his bed, staring at the ceiling as sunlight shined under the door like a ghoul's grin, yet it gave the shutters a halo of golden rays. There was no need for an alarm because he had stayed in that same position, doing the same exact thing throughout the whole night. But now it was the new morning, sinner and saint, just like him. Waking was like a hammer swung with gusto, a painted "x" on his skull. Sleep dragged him backward until a new thought can penetrate - he had the chance to achieve more than yesterday if he moved. The bed was warm, the draughts are cold, yet his feet swung outward into the chill as they met with the dark wood floors, being greeted by coldness which sent a small chill up his spine. Insomnia was getting the best of him but at that point, he didn’t care. He lived only with his mom which was already getting ready to go to work. He had no dad, no brother nor sister. It was just him. His mom was gone most of his days for work and it wasn’t that he didn’t appreciate her hard work to keep a roof over their heads. She wasn’t the problem. It was the worlds. Isn’t it always the worlds problem? As a teenager with raging hormones, he can confirm it was only proper to blame his problems on the world. Though, it’s clear to say it’s the people’s fault more than the worlds.
Ashton managed to drag his feet across his room as he grabbed his navy blue, cotton towel and crossing the hall, entering the bathroom. He flipped the switch as he set his towel down. There he stood, looking blankly at his reflection. His curly hair stood upon his scalp like little children standing on their tippy toes as they compare who’s taller than who. He stared into his hazel eyes, noticing the bags under them. Pain hid beneath his pupils and even though he knew it was entirely impossible, he somehow wished for someone to enter his life and take the darkness away. He sighed as he ran a cold shower, closing the door and undressing himself. Cold showers use to be his greatest enemies but somehow he had gotten use to it and it had become his greatest acquaintance. The cold drops of water fell upon his skin as he leaned against the cold beige tiles. His skinny legs threatened to collapse but he managed to stop their urges on doing so.
A few minutes later, he stepped out, drying himself off and wrapping the towel around his waist. He quickly brushed his teeth and combed through the tangled of his hair, knowing they’d return in a few fragments of time. He sighed as she returned back to his room, flipping the switch to his left. The unnatural light lit up his messy room. Clothes covered the ground and paper plates flooded over the trash can. A cleaning day must be scheduled. Another sigh passed through his lips as he closed the door with his ankle before making his way over to his birch wood dresser. He slid into boxers as he let the towel drop to the floor. He pondered on if he should continue using that or if he should get a new towel as that one took a journey to the washer. He slid his foot under it and flung it in his laundry basket. He let his hips fall into dark denim jeans and felt the fabric hug his shoulders as he slipped into a midnight blue t-shirt. He slid on some plain white socks before sliding his toes into the soles of white vans that he had painted one night. He painted a galaxy on one shoe and a trolls foot on the other. Grabbing his black backpack, he went down to the kitchen.
By then, the sun had already risen. He saw the note on the fridge from his mom. Have fun at school. Food in the fridge or money in the jar if you want to order pizza. Might stay late. Love you Sebby. A small smile crossed his lips as his eyes rolled. He had always hated that nickname she had given him, but knew it was something he’d miss if she ever left him. He didn’t care for breakfast but he also didn’t care to head to school. School... where to start. Summer break had went by so fast. Too fast. All Ashton spent doing is working to earn money, which he managed to succeed in. He knew it was better to occupy himself so he didn’t stay in his bed throughout the days. He knew it’d worry his mom and he didn’t want to deal with the school therapists; let alone, any therapists. A small groan left his lips as he looked up to the clock, seeing it was time. He grabbed the keys, locked the house, entered his car, and began to drive.
The wind howls as the students arrive through the parking lot, hustling and bustling down the pavement. Friends are greeting each other with a hug or a playful punch while newcomers stand looking scared. The seniors stand, tall and proud, confidence born of experience. Soon the bells ring and everybody runs except an occasional slowcoach or chatterbox. Ashton walked into the entrance. Screaming and screeches filled the halls. Paper balls and airplanes flew across everyone’s heads and obnoxious laughs were followed after footballs hit students. Head down, avoid eye contact, move in, hurried scurry, shoulders hunched, enter room, perch at table, wait another day, another ordeal, six hours will drag by, tick tock, tick tock. That was all to it. It worked for him last year, it should work for him this year as well. The monotone buzz of bells and several-hundred voices hummed like an orchestra of deadbeat droids. A single figure entered the room and sheer authority managed to silence the room. And that was the beginning of Sebastian’s day.
