Rosie

There’s nothing more I hate than the sun, especially in summer when the light is blinding and daybreak comes faster than a bullet train. When the light scorches my eyelids, it’s certainly not the highlight of my day.

I’m not sure why I dislike it when the theory unfolds that it’s good for your health. It provides you with vitamin D. Surely people believe that since it has been proven scientifically, though I’ll delightfully extricate my lazy bum from this fact. I still hate morning no matter how much anyone tries to convince me otherwise and it’s a b*tch when the alarm goes off.

Beep-beep!! Beep-beep!! Beep-beep!!

I groan heavily into my pillow when I feel the sunlight dancing on my eyelids. I think I’ve told mom like a thousand times already not to open the curtain. What’s the use of putting up a blackout curtain if she opens it in the morning?!

‘Thanks mom, I appreciate it.’ …or maybe not.

I lazily roll off the bed with a bird nest hair on my head and panda eyes. I snatch the towel hanging behind the door as I make my way to the bathroom for my morning routine. Yet, thanks to my brilliantly blurry vision, I miscalculate the distance between my hand and the door handle. I end up missing it and smacking my whole body onto the door before sliding down pathetically to the floor.

“Sh*t!” I rub my shoulder.

“Language!” My dad shouts from his room across from mine. His voice sounds stern.

“Sorry…” I say sheepishly. But, deep down, I spat out all kinds of curses from A to Z. Not reflecting at all.

After a while, I pick myself up and directly head towards the sink to brush my teeth and splash cold water to wake myself up. It’s a much-needed habit since morning has always been hard for me.

As I brush my teeth, my eyes subconsciously drifted, staring blankly at the mirror while sporting one hand on the sink. Long raven hair reaching down my chest, a pair of round sterling grey eyes below the fringe, tall nose bridge and a plum yet pale lips. That summed up my features just right.

It would be beautiful if I didn’t spend the whole night reading and scouring the internet. Now, I only look like a damsel in distress. Yeah, I need my concealer for today or I will most definitely look like a wandering ghost.

I gurgle a mouthful of water to rinse the toothpaste before stepping into the bathtub to have a nice shower. It takes less than ten minutes for me to finish washing up and exit the bathroom looking fresh and decent.

For clothes, I’m not particularly picky. As long as it looks comfy, I will rock it without a second thought. Although there is one thing that I avoid as much as possible - skirts.

I hate it. Wearing a skirt will need me to pay extra attention so that I wouldn’t accidentally flash my embarrassing underwear. So, rather than having to occasionally be wary, I would rather stick with jeans and a good ‘ol T-shirt. To finish up, I put on a light make up enough to accentuate my features and do a simple ponytail since the day will only get hotter. Summer can really kill a person.

After I’m done with everything, I pick up my school bag and head down for breakfast. A sweet delectable smell immediately invades my nose. I’m no stranger to this smell. It’s none other than my favorite food – croffle – a waffle made out of croissant dough.

I can’t help but run excitedly downstairs to see Ellie setting our breakfast on the table. Initiatively, I help her with the honey and fruits. Ellie Barrett is my mom. The most charming and beautiful mom one can ever wish for.

“Morning, Mom!” I kiss her on the cheek lightly before taking a seat at the dining table.

“Oh. Morning, Rosie. How’s your sleep?” A smile blossoms on her ruddy lips as she greets me back.

“It’s good, though I can definitely get some more,” I protest subconsciously.

“Well, you certainly can if you slept early.” Mom snickers in amusement but doesn’t say anything further. I know she’s teasing me. She’s aware that I had been up all night and how she had purposely tossed the blackout curtain to stir me awake. I can only shake my head helplessly and stuff a bite of croffle into my mouth.

“It’s bad, Rosie. Don’t sleep too late, please. It’s not good for your health. You’re still young but your skin is so dry even though you inherit the same type as me,” Mom begins to nag. Rosie is what everyone calls me but my full name is Rose Parker, following dad’s name, Keegan Parker. Mom has always thought that Rose is such a delicate name like the flower. Beautiful yet can be mysteriously cold at the same time. A certain charm that speaks feminine.

I sigh exasperatedly. Her favorite argument seems to always revolve around sleep and beauty. Those two things make the top of her list. Though it’s a fact that my mom maintains herself well. She’s 43 yet she doesn’t look a day older. Instead, she’s often mistaken to be a woman in her thirties with her long raven hair, pretty blue eyes, and alabaster skin shining radiantly under the light.

“Yes, yes, I will make sure to sleep early.” I wave my hand dismissively.

“You always say that but never actually do it.” She looks annoyed as she stabs her croffle and stuffs it in her mouth. I purse my lips.

“What’s the matter now, Honey? You’re frowning this early in the morning,” Dad's voice came from the stairs behind us.

Dad walks around the table to give me a squeeze as per the usual routine and he also doesn’t miss pinching my cheeks. “Morning, Darling. Hope you have a good day at school.”

I’m really hopeless against my father’s attack every morning. I want him to stop but then again, my parents only have me to coddle. I don’t have the heart to take away the happiness of loving their child from them. So, I can only relent.

“Stop frowning.” Dad went to soothe mom’s temple with his fingers.

“I wouldn’t be pouting if Rosie was obedient.”

Dad instantly turns to me and sides with mom. “You should listen to your mom.”

I roll my eyes discreetly. Dad should look at himself in the mirror before he starts giving me a lecture because his dirty blonde hair is sticking out here and there while his face appears sallow. Those are evidence pointing at his late-night sleep. Like father like daughter indeed.

“Do you want me to drive you today, Rosie?” Dad asks.

I blink in contemplation. Sometimes dad does drive me to school. But if he has an early meeting or he burnt a midnight oil the night before, I would take the bus or just walk to school. It really isn’t that far.

“No, it’s fine. I’ll walk.” Dad nods in acknowledgment.

We don’t really talk much during mealtime. It’s like an unwritten rule between us. A tacit agreement you could say. It’s how my parents raise me. Don’t speak when eating unless it’s necessary. My parents said it shows a good manner. I don’t really mind since I’m not a talker either.

As soon as we’re finished with the food, dad and I bid our goodbye before hitting the door. I wonder what the temperature is because it feels like my skin is being roasted by the sun right now. Not only is it hot, but it’s also humid. Just great, I thought irritatedly.

It’s right at this moment when I hear the most annoying voice.