Chapter 1: a lifeless kitchen
I woke up to an empty room, the silence a heavy blanket that suffocated me. My bedroom, once a sanctuary, now felt like a hollow shell. I stretched my stiff arms, yawned, and swung my legs over the side of the bed. The creaky mattress protested as I stood up.
After getting dressed, I made my way to the kitchen. The morning sunlight streaming through the window highlighted the dust motes dancing in the air. The kitchen lay still, like a grave. I felt a pang of loneliness, missing the warmth and laughter of my family.
On the kitchen table, a wrapped plate sat beside a note. I picked up the paper, recognizing my mom's handwriting: "Eat this. It's all I could make with the little time I had before going to work. Love, Mom."
Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I unwrapped the plate, revealing a simple egg sandwich. The smell of freshly cooked eggs and toasted bread wafted up, transporting me to happier times.
But the silence was oppressive, punctuated only by the hum of the freezer. It was annoying, like a persistent mosquito buzzing in my ear. I felt my frustration boil over, and before I knew it, I kicked the freezer.
"Shut up!" I shouted, the sound echoing through the empty kitchen.
The sudden noise seemed to shake the whole house. I felt a rush of adrenaline, and before I could calm down, I grabbed my backpack.
Just then, Lude burst into the kitchen, his large frame filling the doorway. "Johann, what the...? You almost gave me a heart attack!"
I laughed, feeling a mix of relief and embarrassment. "Sorry, bro. I just...I don't know, the freezer was annoying me."
Lude's expression softened as he spotted the note on the table. "Ah, I see. You're feeling down, huh?"
I shrugged, not trusting my voice.
Lude clapped me on the back. "Come on, Johann. You're eighteen now. Time to stop acting like a kid."
I smiled wryly, feeling a bit scolded. But Lude's words somehow made me feel a little better.
"Thanks, bro," I said, shouldering my backpack.
Lude snatched the remaining slice of egg sandwich. "Hey, compensation for waking me up!"
I rolled my eyes good-naturedly. "Bro, that's so unfair!"
Lude just chuckled and handed me a gentle push. "Get going, kiddo. You're gonna be late."
I grinned, feeling a bit more energized. "Yeah, yeah. See you later, bro."
With a newfound spring in my step, I ran out of the house, the bright sunlight momentarily blinding me. I didn't stop running until I was a few blocks away, my lungs burning and my legs aching.
I slowed down, gasping for air, and spotted a bench nearby. I collapsed onto it, grateful for the chance to catch my breath.
As I sat there, I noticed a book lying on the bench. It was a physical copy of one of my favorite books, its black cover worn and faded. I picked it up, feeling the rough texture of the cover and the weight of the pages.
I opened the book, and the musty smell of old paper wafted up. I ran my fingers over the pages, feeling the raised letters and the rough edges. It was beautiful.
"Wow, this looks amazing," I whispered, a smile spreading across my face. "I'll come back after school and see who it belongs to."
With newfound determination, I tucked the book into my backpack and continued on to school.