Elba Starhaven was enjoying a blissful morning, walking down the sunlit streets of his town, admiring the cheerful atmosphere that surrounded him. Little did he know that he was about to embark on a hilarious adventure that would awaken him in the most unexpected way.

As Elba strolled, he suddenly noticed a commotion nearby. A group of rough-looking guys had cornered an elderly woman who was struggling with her walking stick. With an exaggerated bravado, one of the bad guys leaned in and said, "Do you have any time, old lady?"

The old woman, with her frail frame and toothless grin, retorted in a voice that dripped with sarcasm, "Time? Oh, sweetie, I've got all the time in the world! Just as long as you don't keep me from my bingo night!"

Elba couldn't let this go on. Channeling his inner hero, he dashed forward, ready to save the day. With a swift and dramatic blow, he sent the thugs flying, their eyes wide with disbelief.

As the dust settled, the old woman looked up at Elba with a twinkle in her eye. "Oh my, what a strong young man!" she exclaimed, clutching her heart dramatically. "I've fallen for you! Please, marry me!"

Before Elba could react, more old ladies appeared from the surrounding streets, their canes tapping rhythmically against the pavement. "Marry me! Marry me!" they chanted in unison, rushing toward him with their walking sticks raised high, looking like a quirky brigade of determined matrons.

Elba's eyes widened as he realized he was being chased down by a horde of grannies, all vying for his affection. He ran, dodging the advancing sea of wrinkled faces and outstretched hands, until he was cornered, panting and bewildered. "I didn't sign up for this!" he shouted, but the chorus of "Marry me!" echoed in his ears as he sprinted away.

Suddenly, Elba jolted awake, heart racing, and the warm sunlight streaming through his window brought him back to reality. He blinked, processing what had just happened. His dream felt vivid, the laughter still lingering, but now he was back in his room, alone.

"Thank goodness that was just a dream," he muttered to himself, shaking his head with a mix of relief and amusement. As he got out of bed, however, he couldn't shake the feeling that the day ahead might be just as bizarre.

In Brightmeadow, everything always felt... right. Safe, calm, and predictable. The kind of place where the streets were quiet in the early hours, and the sun always seemed to rise just a little more gently than anywhere else. That was life here—normal. And I guess you could say I was normal, too.

I'm Elba Starhaven. Fifteen, ordinary, with a family that's probably as normal as they come. If there's one thing I've learned from living in Brightmeadow, it's that things don't change much. And that's fine by me.

"Elba! Wake up, you'll be late!"

That's my mom. Always making sure I'm on time, even though I've never been late a single day in my life. I roll out of bed, rubbing the sleep from my eyes, listening to the sounds of breakfast downstairs. The scent of toast wafts up to my room, pulling me fully awake.

"Coming!" I call back, pulling on my uniform. I know what's next, the same routine we've had for as long as I can remember. Dad will be ready, too, briefcase in hand, waiting for me at the door. We walk together most mornings—him to the office, me to school. It's nothing special, but it's ours.

Downstairs, my mom is already bustling around the kitchen, placing a plate of eggs and toast in front of me.

"Morning, sleepyhead," she says with a grin. Her eyes crinkle in that warm way they always do. I can't imagine a morning without that look.

"Morning, Mom," I say, digging in. The kitchen feels like the center of the world—sunlight spilling through the windows, the clatter of dishes, the hum of the town waking up outside. Normal, like everything in Brightmeadow.

Dad comes in, adjusting his tie. "Ready to head out, sport?" He smiles, taking a sip of his coffee.

I nod, finishing off the last of my breakfast. "Yeah, let's go."

We step outside into the crisp morning air. The streets are as quiet as ever, just the faint murmur of neighbors heading to their cars. I glance at Dad, who's walking beside me with that same steady pace, the same thoughtful look on his face. He's a man of few words, but he's always there. A constant, just like everything else.

Sometimes I think about my older sister, Elara. She's not around much these days. Ever since she got that job in the city, it's been different. She used to walk with us sometimes, back when we were younger. But now she's miles away, doing something important, I guess. We don't hear from her as much as we used to, but I know she's out there, chasing her dreams. It feels strange without her around, but that's just part of growing up, right?

"Thinking about Elara?" Dad asks, glancing at me with a knowing smile.

I shrug. "Yeah, I guess. Wonder how she's doing."

"She'll be back to visit soon enough," he says. "She's got her own adventure now."

I nod, but I'm not sure. Things feel different without her here, like there's a piece missing in our routine. But that's life, I suppose.

We reach the corner where we part ways—him heading towards his office, and me turning towards the school. "See you later, Dad," I say, waving as I walk away.

"Have a good day, Elba," he calls after me, disappearing into the crowd.

And just like that, another day begins. Normal. Simple. But sometimes I wonder... how long can things stay the same?

______:)