LIFE

When I wake up, I normally wait for my father to leave before I head to the living room. He normally leaves to do... something, at around 3:50 am. I normally wake up an hour before then. There is always a hidden strain in my chest whenever I head out though, afraid that he'd stayed downstairs longer than the last day or longer than the next.

But of course, he's not here. I can have a sigh of relief.

The only reason why I know he isn't here anymore though is because he never sleeps in his room. I don't know why but... I think he prefers the couch.

I make myself a coffee and wait until its 6:30 in the morning, I woke up a bit early so I might as well relax before I really get my day started. Making myself a simple breakfast as always.

We just moved to this town so when I really think about it, I can't understand why my father doesn't just sleep in his room. He probably got used to the couch from the last house which might be why he still sleeps on it here. More like a realization, sorry if I seem like I'm repeating myself.

All of it is the same though. Just like the last town we were in. Same pattern, same clothes. Nothing but the scenery changed.

It's a welcome change, forested areas, and a cooler breeze compared to where we lived last. I prefer places like this, in the middle of nowhere. I prefer the air here compared to the crowded city streets filled to the brim with smokers and self-righteous assholes who think they're the only ones in the right. I hated the gloom and smog. I can't handle it.

I have breathing problems, that's mostly why. Asthmatic, but it's mostly just when I'm in the wrong environment. Some people are Asthmatic when stressed but, I'm not like that. If I was I'd be dead by now.

That was a joke.

It's good to breathe in the fresh air though. We're situated a bit closer to the mountains, somewhere near Colorado. I didn't exactly pay attention to what state we were going to. Kind of just followed aimlessly behind my dad as we flew here. So, since its summer, the cooler atmosphere of the town helps a lot. I prefer colder temperatures anyway.

I do know we used to live in Los Angeles beforehand. It was irritating being stuck in the middle of a California summer. Hated it.

I get ready for my first day at school here and head out.

It's more fun walking to school in a place like this. I can admire how most of the town is covered by thick shade because of the mass of trees that would block out the sun. I like how the sun peaks out between its leaves and branches.

I preferred hearing the crunch of pine needles underneath my feet, rather than the glass that I had to frequently step over in the long Los Angeles nights that plagued me so frequently.

I like having the freedom to walk around and admire the sights. The colder air made me relaxed and I loved how there isn't an influx of cars honking their horns as loud as possible to catch people's attention. No matter if it were intentional or otherwise. I indulge myself in the tranquility of it all.

It would've helped me cope more if I were in a town like this from the beginning.

There aren't too many people coming into the school. In total, probably less than five hundred come to this school. Probably around four hundred. It's small, it's also a very unique school. I looked into it beforehand - the ecosystem in the school is similar to a foreign school's ecosystem. Students are generally able to go wherever they want on school grounds without supervision. I'm mostly referring to lunch or when its after school. They don't seem to limit anything. There is still the security of course but they aren't very strict on the students on what they can or cannot do.

Its kind of hard to put it into words so I think it's just best for me to experience it myself. I head inside, inspecting the campus closely. Its quite massive, about the size of a college campus. The entrance is lined with trees that shade the concrete ground below. It looks like it'd be a nice spot when lunch comes around.

It doesn't seem many people would come around the entrance anyway.

The halls are modern, some parts of the campus have their own open lounge areas with vending machines lined by them.

I like it.

I hope... that it will be a peaceful year.

I spaced out during the monotonous monologue coming from the teacher and only took in the most important information in my eyes, which was that we wouldn't be getting assignments for the first week and it'd be mostly just us focusing on getting used to the school or getting used to being back in school.

Mostly everyone seems to know each other and of course, I'm the odd one out. The new kid who came from the city while most of them there had lived in this town for most of their lives. I couldn't help but feel insecure with me being here, especially since I didn't know anybody.

I don't really want to know anyone though.

This is my second to last year in high school though. I am a Junior after all.

I should probably get involved with a club or something like that. I wouldn't even know where to start with that though. They haven't even announced what clubs they have yet anyway, stuff like that wasn't on the website either.

In my school, they hosted a club show and tell in around September, on a Wednesday.

I should check one out. Experience something fun for once... well, I don't really know if it'll be fun but it wouldn't hurt to try.