"I'M GONNA FUCKIN' KILL YOU!"
In less than a moment, my body jerked upward as my eyes fluttered open with a slight sting aching within. I rubbed at my face as my blanket trickled down my shoulders and onto the mattress, exposing my uncovered torso to the cold winter air, causing me to jerk slightly at the sudden drop in temperature. A low-toned beeping emanated from my alarm clock. It seemed to spit the time right in my face like a constant reminder.
"WAKE UP JAY!"
[7:21…]
"Bro… I've been awake…"
The lie trailing off my lips fled with complete annoyance due to my less than average amount of sleep and utter agony at the thought of waking up so early to be somewhere I didn't want to. I mumble under my breath as my eyes force themselves shut.
"Can I just stay home please?"
A loud knock crashed around a dozen times against my door.
"GET UP! YOU AREN'T SKIPPIN THREE DAYS INNA ROW BRO!"
The enraged voice ricocheted off the walls of our apartment as my body slugged back down into bed.
My eyes peered off to the side and into the cold dim morning outside.
"I DON'T HEAR YOU MOVING!"
A long exasperated groan causes my throat to rattle.
I slap my hands against, and then drag them down, my face while throwing the blanket off my lower body in a slight tantrum. My dried-up lips smacked against each other as I reached for a week old bottle of room temperature water sitting on my nightstand. The slightly chill water flooded down my throat as if God himself had blessed my taste buds.
"I'M AWAKE!"
Another light breeze drifts over my body as I stand and stretch, causing me to shiver. The window is cracked open, like always, with its slight glare from the rising sun pinching at my retina before I turn away.
[It's cold… I like it.]
After reaching back towards the nightstand for my phone, I quickly tapped the screen and glanced over any notifications that had flooded in from the few hours I spent sleeping.
"Nothing."
With a sigh, my body stumbles over to my closet while I rip whatever shirt my hands are able to grasp first followed by a random pair of pants. A plain black shirt and oversized grey sweats cover my chilly body. I hum slightly to myself while pocketing my phone as my feet tread out of my room, down the hallway, and into the bathroom.
Four doors line the hallway, one from my room, another from my brothers, and a third the bathroom I was stumbling towards. The last room was sectioned off, and I'd never seen the inside. The room had never been used, only ever acting as empty space in the apartment.
I reach for the handle.
"You don't have long Jay, so hurry it up."
My body jolts at the voice calling down the hallway. The once overbearing and angry tone of my brother was now transformed into one full of kindness and concern.
I turned towards him, smiled slightly, and opened my mouth before finishing my journey into the bathroom.
"I know bro. I'll be quick, I swear."
He smiles back as I close the door behind me. A warm feeling plagues my face as my slight smile turns to a bigger grin.
The cabinet door swings open slowly as I pull a tube of toothpaste out before swiping my toothbrush out of a cup and squeezing the paste out.
Glancing into the mirror, I brushed my teeth with one hand while rubbing my eyes with the other.
[Next time I won't stay up so late.]
The scraggly black hair, barely visible in my peripheral vision, looked like a worn out rag used one too many times by a janitor. I turned the sink's cold water handle slightly before scooping up some water and running it through my hair, repeating this action until I looked more like a damp rag used one too many times by a janitor.
I laughed to myself softly as small bits of toothpaste splattered on the mirror.
The cold water washed out my mint coated mouth as I spit it down the drain. Once more I scooped up a handful of water, but this time the water splashed on my face. I looked up and rubbed my eyes. My irises were a bright yellow however the dark bags under them caused my face to look like an oncoming eclipse.
The door to the bathroom closed behind me as I stepped down the hallway again.
"You hungry bro?"
My brother was standing behind the kitchen counter with a toaster, taking out two pieces of well-done bread from the machine. He wore a white t-shirt, stained with dirt and drops of vehicle fluid, and jeans. His work boots tapped on the floor every time he adjusted his position.
I opened my mouth to speak, but rambled for a moment before giving him an answer.
"I- uhh, sure."
He smiled once more and handed me a piece of toast which I quickly put between my lips while reaching for my hoodie hung on a hook at the end of the hallway where the two areas of our apartment intersected on a hook.
"You can't keep skipping school, it isn't good for either of us."
I frowned at my older brother's remarks.
"I'm sorry…"
"It's okay bubba, is something wrong at school?"
[Nothing besides the constant work.]
"No it's just… I just don't wanna go sometimes y'know?"
He laughed a little.
"I get'cha. No one really LIKES going to school. I hated it too back when I was in highschool. Had to go every day though."
I smiled slightly while slipping my hoodie over my head and then taking a small bite of the toast that was handed to me.
"Yeah, it sucks lol."
My brother looked behind him at the clock placed on the oven, sighed, and reached into his pocket before pulling out his keys.
"It's 7:35, you need a ride?"
"Yes please!"
A light chuckle escaped his mouth as he grabbed the other piece of toast before heading towards the door.
"C'mon then, let's go J."
My brother puts his hand on my shoulder for a moment before grabbing his keys off the top shelf besides our door.
I step forward beside him and pick up my bag, resting peacefully against the wall. Its weight was to the point of being a nuisance to carry on my back, but not light enough to comfortably hang around my arm.
"You ready?"
I nod.
"Mhm."
He turns the door's knob and swings it open, lifting his arm just enough for me to duck under.
I do so and begin walking towards the flight of stairs a few feet away.
"Make sure you pick up your work from the days you missed.."
My feet start to move step by step down the flight of stairs. I stare out to the side as the wind blows on my face. Our apartment stands on the third floor of a complex four stories tall.
The neighbors are quiet and keep to themselves, but I find them friendly and compassionate towards one another when it counts.
"I will."
My brother's footsteps echo behind me as we descend.
I look back at him and smile.
"How's work?"
He smiles and shrugs.
"Same as always bro."
"Everyone else still slacking?"
"Hell yeah. you know how it is tho, nothin I can do bout it."
"Haha, yeah."
My shoes hit the damp grass with a squelch.
"It should be unlocked already man."
"Ah okay, is that even safe?"
"I wasn't inside too long, just long enough to wake you up, plus there are cameras, so it wouldn't be the end of the world if someone tried hopping in."
"Oh."
"No one would steal a branded work truck anyways, too easy to spot."
"Mmm… Makes sense I guess."
I reach the passenger door and swing it open before lifting myself inside. The truck rings rhythmically as a light turns on above. My backpack hits the floor while I shut the door.
My brother slides in the driver seat.
A loud thud garners my attention. My eyes snap towards the apartment building.
"What was that?"
My brother looks where I look.
"Not sure bubba, just ignore it."
I pause for a moment while gripping the door handle.
[Mmm…]
"You sure…?"
"It's probably nothing Jay."
[…]
"Okay…"
Just like that, the truck begins to back out of its resting spot and speeds off towards main street.