THE BAD BOY AND THE NERD

BEEP BEEP BEEP
I groaned, the insistent blare of my alarm dragging me from the depths of sleep. It was the first day of my last year of college, a fact that filled me with a mix of relief and anticipation. Standing up, I stretched, my muscles protesting slightly before heading to the shower. The warm water was a welcome shock, washing away the last vestiges of sleep. After wrapping myself in a towel, I walked to my closet, sifting through clothes for the perfect first-day outfit: a blue crop top, high-waisted jeans, and black sneakers. Bag slung over my shoulder, I headed downstairs.
"Alexis, come down, you will be late for school!" my mom called from the kitchen.
"I am here, Mom," I replied, walking into the cozy space. She was at the stove, the comforting aroma of bacon and eggs filling the air.
"Good morning, Mom," I said.
"Morning, sweetheart," she replied, placing plates of breakfast in front of us. We ate in comfortable silence until she broke it.
"I hope you have prepared very well for your first day at school," she asked, her eyes warm.
"Yes, Mom," I assured her. Finishing my meal, I washed my plate, hugged her tightly, and then headed out, ready for whatever my final year held.
