New Beginnings:

   I wake up to the familiar sound of an 'oh so irritating' alarm blasting from my phone. I roll over on my bed grumbling, "whoever thought that supposedly calming music could be so bothersome? I look across my clothing strewn floor, and lo and behold, the sun was out and ever happily shining through my window. A constant reminder that today would be the first day of the Fall semester.
   As I fumble for my phone, seeking to silence the incessant ringing, my mother opens the door. Popping her head into my room, she glances over my still sheet clad form and cheerily says, " good morning Alex! Just wanted to make sure you got up". She looks at her watch, "I need to head out to work now so you better not fall back asleep."
    I look over and grunt at her from beneath the sheets, "got it. Have a great day at work mom".  
   "Mhm" she hums and then says, "thanks honey, you too". As she makes her way out my door, she purposely leaves it open, knowing full well that it'll irritate me enough to keep me awake. A little while later, I hear the front door slam shut, and the sound of her revving the car fills the quiet morning air as she pulls out of the driveway. I laugh, and with a smirk on my face say "damn, she really needs to learn to take it easier on the poor thing. Someday it's finally going to give out.
   After I've thrown some clothes on, I make my way down to the kitchen, thundering down the stairs of our two-story house to find something edible to eat. The kitchen is the same as always, it has the quiet and peaceful air of a thoroughly lived in, but still modern and clean-cut space. Meaning that the open concept shelves were stuffed full of every manner of spice, flour, and any other cooking or baking necessity. The counter on the other hand, was a pristine white quartz slab with beautiful veins of grays and silvers running through it. My mother had always been very strict about keeping our counters, "clean and crap free" she would say. 
   I made my way over to a low hanging, easy to reach shelf, which held all manner of breakfast bars. Whether it be those sugar-filled toaster things, or the overpriced health bars my mom kept constantly trying out, our kitchen would have them ready and raring to go for any hungry family seeking something to eat. Speaking of family members, I glance at my own plain and simple black watch, it read 0705. "My brother should be up by now" I half mumble to myself, stuffing an apples and cinnamon breakfast bar into my mouth and then promptly moving on to start the coffeemaker. 
   "Speak of the devil and he shall appear", my brother jokingly says as he makes his way down the stairwell. 
   "I was starting to think you'd slept through your alarm", I say with exaggerated disappointment. 
   My brother makes his way over to the same breakfast bar shelf, and says while ruffling through the various boxes, "yeah right, and have to go through the horror of having you blast whatever the newest hellish siren you've found in my ear? Trust me, I made sure to set it long before I'd need it. That mistake will not be made twice"
   I sigh, " too bad then. There's always next year though," I say, as the coffeemaker finished its sole God-given duty in life, meaning it had made me coffee. I hastily stir in five times as much pumpkin pie flavored creamer as I should into my favorite anime mug, and then run upstairs to finish getting ready for class. On my way up I yell, "you better be ready at eight Evan! Or else we'll both be late!"
   " Yeah, yeah", I catch him say before my bedroom door slams shut, "don't need to tell me twice."
  Ten minutes later I'm ready and out the door. Clad in black combat boots, my favorite wide-leg ankle-length jeans, and black sweater.  My caramel-colored hair was pulled up in an easy ponytail and I had my school bag slung over one shoulder. I shivered slightly, the weather was already beginning to turn, as I could feel the slightest hint of chill in the early morning air while I waited for my brother to come and unlock his old red pickup. 
   "Come on!" I yelled as I watched him casually meander toward the driveway. "Get yer lazy arse moving!", I impatiently say, knowing all too well how uneager he was to start school back up again.
   "I'm coming, I'm coming", he said in an exasperated tone. "Hold your horses."
   As he started the car and began pulling out of the driveway, I popped my headphones on and began playing some of my favorite songs, allowing my mind to wander to thoughts of what the new semester may hold. "I hope this semester goes well", I say as Evan rolls down the windows and pulls onto the freeway.
   He sighs and gives me a slight smile. "Me too Al, me too."