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"Renn… Renn… 6 am… Wake up… It's another fresh week…"
I woke up to someone lightly tapping my cheek. I could see a baby-faced girl wearing a school uniform.
"Oh, Cherry… Thanks for waking me as usual." This little girl is Cherry Vaxley. She's my very cute little stepsister and she loves waking me up for school every morning.
I slowly got up from the bed as she showed a heartwarming smile.
"Hehe... Wouldn't want my big brother to sleep in on any school day!" She left the room to also prepare for her school.
I quickly took a shower, got dressed in my school uniform and went downstairs to see Cherry, who was happily eating beef on the dinner table.
"Whoa! Excited much, Renn?" I turn to a young man, giggling at me. That's Vance Vaxley, my big stepbrother cooking for us, also in school uniform.
"You can never be too excited for a good day! Also, I'm not surprised if your uniform gets messy over all that oil." I giggled, playing with Vance for a bit. Hey, he's a good cook! I'm just used to him cooking everyday and STILL show up to school with a spotless uniform.
"Pshhh. Who needs an apron if the oil ain't gonna splatter on ya?" We all ended up laughing, having fun times at the dinner table. Vance eventually served me the same beef and rice that Cherry had.
"Done eating! I'll head to school now!" As I started eating, Cherry brushed her teeth, grabbed her things, and went out with a wave.
"So, Mr. Alrose… How's the beef? I needed to master cooking beef this week." Vance liked calling me "Mr. Alrose", because I thought it made me feel mature. We did this a lot as our bonding time as well.
It also seemed that Vance is now dealing with cooking beef. Let me tell you, it's not easy. The first time I did it, I ended up creating charcoal.
"It's to my liking, Mr. Vaxley. Although, people may have different tastes…" I replied to him in a mature manner with a bow. Everyone's different when it comes to the kind of beef they want. Though, my expertise isn't in cooking… So, I just answered with my gut feeling.
"Very wise answer. I'm happy you liked my beef, Mr. Alrose." He bowed back to me in respect. He couldn't help but break a laugh after that reply. And to be honest, me too. It's really fun acting like gentlemen in the home.
"So… How's school life been for you recently?" And another thing I like about my brother is that he checks on me frequently about school life every first weekday.
"Oh, it was stressful due to my solo presentation. Also the usual homeworks that I always finish immediately." Being an early bird is an old habit of mine I got up to this day. I always finish homeworks on the day that they were given to us, so it never felt like a hassle to me when it comes to school.
"Expect no less from Mr. Early Bird himself. You better get going to school now." I stood up as Vance gave me that nickname. I let out a chuckle. Not a fan of that calling, but I know I deserved it.
"Didn't I tell you not to call me that?" Vance happily shrugged at my question, playing dumb every time I asked that question. Classic, big brother. I brushed my teeth, grabbed my school backpack and went on to school.
If you're asking how I go to school, I just walk happily to school. It's just a few streets across, makes me feel good by walking my way there instead of taking a tricycle or a jeepney on my way there. This is also a good exercise routine for me to walk to and from school. Saves good money too, that's a bonus.
I eventually arrived at my school, Emerald Houston University. It's a great school, accredited by the International Organization for Education and Learning (IOEL). Located at Aristole St., which is near Arason St., where I currently live. Environment feels fresh everyday, students always having a good time, and best of all:
NO BULLIES ON CAMPUS!
They immediately get expelled once caught as the school is super strict when it comes to that, but we have fun as there's always endless chatter at the lobby of the school. I feel happy seeing how alive our school is and outgoing the students are as every single one of us is confident in so many aspects. What I am confident in is my academics. I study a lot before and after classes. I do get stressed out at times, but only when stuff isn't what I was expecting. That rarely happens, thankfully.
I arrived at my classroom, walking to my seat. I looked at the clock, I'm 35 minutes early. The feeling of being early eases me, though I don't want to be reminded how early I am. It triggers my nerves sometimes... I pull out a textbook and read it to pass the time. And here is something I'm not confident about: "my friends, or the lack thereof." I'm not one to start conversations, as I don't have much on my mind.
"I'M LATE!!!" But here's a friend that I'm happily used to. She just arrived in a panic, thinking she's late.
"Syrra, class doesn't start in 30 minutes!" I laughed a bit pointing to the clock, she looked at it and froze on the spot. Her face also turned red with embarrassment.
"AUGH… Remind me to tell my sister to adjust that damn clock of ours…" She went to the seat next to me and sat down, feeling frustrated about how their clock was wrong.
This girl is my best friend in school, Syrra Winters. She's also a hard worker, but her family is low on money. She is cheerful, but sometimes forgetful. She's also good in writing essays and short stories, thanks to her fondness to read fictional stories.
"Why don't you write it instead so that you'd remember?" I asked her.
"I'd rather not waste paper at a time like this, you know…" She pouted at my question as she relaxed on her seat.
"Anyway, are you done with the History homework that was given to us last Friday?" From the moment I brought that up, Syrra looked at me in a flabbergasted look. She was thinking along the lines of:
"WTF, WE HAD HOMEWORK?!"
"I CAN'T BELIEVE I FORGOT ALL THIS TIME! I LITERALLY HAD TO STRUGGLE WITH CHORES ON THE WEEKENDS, SO IT SLIPPED OFF MY MIND!" She was in a state of panic, with her hands scratching her scalp, forgetting about the assignment. I watched her mess her own hair, feet rapidly stepping on the floor as if she's about to run, and her breathing getting quick and intense. I patted her shoulder to stop her from panicking before she got into a frenzy.
"And I can't believe you forgot there's still time before class and I can help you finish it today." She stopped and turned to me in disbelief.
"B-But you've helped me so many times, and I-I don't know how to repay you!" Syrra and I are close with a history of me helping her when she needs it the most. Homework, school activities… Heck, I even helped her when she lost her allowance at one point and I paid for her. She'd be stuck in school if I didn't help her out. She kept saying she'd repay me one day.
"Don't have to repay me, I'm just here to help you out like usual." She calmed down with a smile of gratitude.
"Thank you so much… I feel like crying… " She really felt relieved having me help her as she pulled out her History book and began answering it with my help. Funny enough, the first time I helped out Syrra was when she was being bullied. Although it was not much, I just approached her to help out.
Eventually, she was done and was relieved and satsified to not be embarrassed for not having an assignment in class. Would be even more embarrassing if you don't have the assignment and you're the only one who didn't do it, I'd wish I'd wear a mask to hide everything if I were to forget an assignment.
Which doesn't happen to me at all.
"But I do know we have a quiz coming up in Science! Review me?" At least it's only one assignment she forgot. Not that I don't like helping her, I really want to help her. There's just not enough time to finish 3 or more assignments in 30 minutes. I looked at the clock to make sure we still have time to review.
"10 minutes before class starts… I can give you several refreshers." I spent those 10 minutes reviewing Syrra in Science. I can see despite the chores, she has time to review for the quiz. Good that she has her priorities straight.
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*4 hours later…*
It's lunchtime. It's just me and Syrra on the same table as usual. Talking about stuff happening in school.
"To think you got a 19/20 this time, I was thinking you'd ace this quiz…" Syrra seemed surprised that I made a mistake in the quiz, she knows I study a lot so I should perfect this. And somehow I proved her thoughts wrong, by just simply writing the wrong spelling. And erasures aren't allowed as well, huh.
"Technically I did, I aced it. It's just I was too fast on my part when I started writing, look at what happened. Not perfect." I said as I enjoyed my lunch.
"Well, no one's perfect… But you're in a whole other league getting high scores every time." Syrra did the same as she remarked to me with a light slap on the shoulder.
"Hey, getting a 17/20 is impressive on its own!" I bluntly remarked. She claims I'm in a whole other league when she's beginning to be in it!
"You helped me review! So it's still you!" I chuckled, and she smiled at her compliment.
"You're the one remembering all of it!" We both ended up laughing as we kept going on who's
"Let's say it's a team effort." She nods to my statement, finally ending it.
"Agreed. However, I still am gonna repay you one day. ONE DAY." She swore and pointed her pointer at me with determination as she finished her food.
"Like I said, no need to." I also finished mine and stood up about to walk back to the classroom. And I really don't need her to repay me, I am happy that she's happy. That's enough for me. But then Syrra quickly stood up and went in front of me.
"Sorry, but I will. Count on it." She's persistent with her hands on the hips with a smug grin that really ensures that she won't give up on her statement.
"If you say so." I just happily shrugged and just let her be and repay me with what she gives me. We both headed our way back to our classroom to continue with the rest of the classes.
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*5 hours later…*
It's now dismissal time and I'm walking my way home. I just sincerely hope that Syrra remembers the Math homework and quiz happening tomorrow. A lot of cars have been passing by today, roads are now busier than ever. I looked up at the sky, took a deep breath, and carefully made my way home.
As I did get home, I only saw Vance who was sitting on the table. He was on his phone. He noticed me as the door closed.
"Well, Mr. Alrose! Good to see you." It's actually rare to see him this early, I'm surprised. He usually is in a study group at this time.
"Oh, Mr. Vaxley? No study group today? I was considering cooking my own dinner tonight." I put my things aside and walked to the kitchen. Whenever I come back home, I usually cook because no one is here. I grew up watching my stepmother cook, so I adapted when Vance, Cherry, and I began living in the same house. If you're wondering about my foster parents, they're both alive and well. Vance wanted to be independent, and my dad wanted him to take care of Cherry and I if he wanted to get used to being independent. He accepted it and here we are.
"I thought you would, so I got a step ahead and cooked the rest of the pork chops." Vance grinned, pointing his thumb at the covered plate which had porkchops in it. Being a step ahead is always a surprise.
"You never fail to impress." I smiled, amazed as I went to the dining table and ate the pork chops that Vance cooked. It's tender and juicy, as I'd like it.
"What made you go home early?" I was curious about Vance's early arrival as I began eating.
"They planned on having a drinking party to celebrate the good scores on the long test we took today. I didn't accept their invitation because I don't drink alcohol." Vance rested his elbows on the table and looked out the window, not feeling in the party mood. This is true, and the proof is that there isn't any trace of alcohol and beer in this household.
"I hear alcohol can get you in… regrettable situations…" Thinking about that makes me scared and it made me lightly scratch the back of my head. This is what I heard from Syrra before. Her father drinks often.
"I hear you. Those drinks are off-limits for all of us." He was happy, browsing his phone. No objections to that. I finished my food.
"Is Cherry asleep?" I looked up at the direction of Cherry's room. Hope that we didn't disturb her…
"Yes, sound asleep." Oh, thank god…
"I'll just do homework and sleep afterwards. My homework today can be the review for tomorrow's quiz." I stood up and went upstairs to my room.
"Don't stay up too late, though." Don't worry, Vance. I don't pull all-nighters. I went and did my homework. I was done in minutes, as expected of myself. I then shut off the lights and hopped onto bed as I slowly fell asleep.
Can't wait for another day…
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