Chapter 5
I slowly opened my eyes, and the soft morning light streaming through the window hit me like a gentle slap. The warm rays danced across my face, illuminating the contours of my features. "Ah, this bed feels nice," I murmured, my voice husky from sleep. I snuggled deeper into the blankets, savoring the comfort and tranquility of the moment.
But as my gaze focused, I realized the light wasn't just a gentle glow – it was the sun, shining brightly in the morning sky. "Wait, it's morning?" My eyes widened in surprise, and I sat up with a jolt. The sudden movement sent a ripple through the bed, and I felt a pang of disorientation.
I quickly reached for my phone, which was charging on the bedside table. The screen lit up as I checked the time: 9:05 AM.
As I stood up, my legs felt heavy, as if weighed down by the remnants of sleep. I stumbled slightly, catching myself on the bedframe. I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the sleepiness. Then, I headed to the mirror, my reflection staring back at me like a stranger.
As I gazed at my face, I winced. "Oh my face looks a mess – like, a big mess!" My skin was pale, and my ponytail braids was tangled and messy. My eyes looked particularly bad, with a reddish tint that made me wonder if I'd cried or drank alcohol. I rubbed them gently, trying to dispel the gritty feeling.
As I headed towards the bathroom, the cool tiles beneath my feet were a welcome respite from the warmth of the bedroom. I spent the next few minutes refreshing myself, the water cascading down my skin like a soothing balm.
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I was jolted out of my morning routine by my mom's sudden burst into my room. "Sarah, hurry! Mr Kim is here," she exclaimed, her voice laced with a sense of urgency.
I hastily threw on the outfit I had laid out the last night, grateful that I hadn't unpacked my luggage. The chaos of the moment was a blessing in disguise, saving me from the tedious task of rummaging through my bags. I grabbed my luggage, and other essentials, and rushed downstairs with my mom.
As we reached the living room, Mr Kim stood up from the white couch, his eyes meeting mine with a polite smile.
"Good morning," I greeted him, and he responded with a slight bow, his movements economical and precise. He relieved me of my bag, and with a courteous smile, he headed out.
As I watched him leave, my mom approached me, her eyes filled with a mix of concern and reassurance. "Be good, Sarah, okay?" she said, her hand patting my shoulder in a gentle gesture. I felt a surge of frustration and turned to her, my voice barely above a whisper. "Mom, this isn't fair."
Her expression softened, and she raised her hand to gently touch my cheek. " don't worry,you will like it there, everything will be fine," she said, her voice infused with a soothing calm. "It's just an exam you need to take, okay?" she added, trying to reassure me. Her words were a balm to my frazzled nerves, but the uncertainty still lingered in my mind.
As I stood before my mom, her eyes searched mine, filled with a deep affection and a hint of sorrow. "Don't worry, sweetie, everything will be okay," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the turmoil brewing inside me. "I'm sorry I won't be able to accompany you, I have to prepare for my trip."
Her words dripped with reassurance, and she continued, "Your father has taken care of all the arrangements. He's spoken to the principal, and everything is set. All you need to do is follow the rules and take the exam."
With a gentle smile, she wrapped her arms around me, holding me close in a tender hug. The warmth of her body and the soothing scent of her perfume enveloped me, offering a fleeting sense of comfort.
As I pulled away, I steeled myself for what lay ahead. "Let's do this," I told myself, a surge of determination coursing through my veins.
With a deep breath, I turned and headed out the door, Mr Kim waiting for me beside the car. The bright sunlight and crisp air hit me like a slap in the face, jolting me into reality. Mom stood outside, her hand raised in a final farewell, her eyes brimming with unshed tears.
I slipped into the back seat, and Mister Kim settled into the driver's seat. The engine roared to life, and before I could even process the enormity of what was happening, we were gliding away from the curb, leaving my mom and our home behind. The distance between us grew, and I felt a pang in my chest, as if my heart was being pulled in two different directions.
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The journey was a soul-sucking bore. I pulled out my phone, scrolling mindlessly through social media, trying to distract myself from the monotony. Mr Kim was a silent driver, not a single word escaping his lips. I wasn't exactly chatty either, content to zone out and let the miles fly by.
My mind began to wander, thoughts swirling around my future at the school. What would it be like? Would I make friends or be a loner like I was now? My parents' constant globe-trotting had made me accustomed to being alone, but a part of me longed for connection.
I thought about my parents, always jetting off to some new destination. Today, they were in the UK; tomorrow, Japan. Their lifestyle was exhausting just thinking about it. I sighed, putting my phone away. I was in my final year of high school, and I just wanted to get this over with. I needed to focus on my studies and get through this transition. The less drama, the better.