Flurries of dust and skin are exposed as a sliver of light fights its way through the small crack in the curtains. As it races along the floor, bouncing off more and more of the airborne dust mites, its warmth fills the room. Making its way along Diego's face landing squarely on his eyes he begrudgingly awakens. Squinting to fight the direct beam of sunlight, he turns to the wall and tugs the blanket over his head attempting to salvage the remaining moments of early morning before having to get ready for work. Without fail, however, the sun's uncanny knack for waking him up moments before his alarm is set to ring has stolen his slumber. Diego opens his eyes and stares blankly into the darkness beneath his blankets, wishing instead it were the depths of Eagle's Nest Sink. Cave diving doesn't seem so scary anymore. Nothing does.
The blare of the alarm jostles him from beneath the comfort and warmth of his blanket burrito. He rolls from his stomach to his back toward the edge of the bed and frees himself, flinging the blanket off of him and onto the floor. Narrowly tripping himself heading out of his bedroom, he kicks the blanket up and swipes at it, smacking it back onto the bed. He saunters to the restroom to find a note from Jamish on the bathroom vanity.
“Be back tomorrow. The house is clean! PLEASE let it be clean when I get back, so help me I will choke you.”
He's not usually this aggressive or potentially violent. Two hand choke or like rear naked or triangle? I'm curious now... to wreck the house or not... that is the question.
Deciding against antagonizing his roommate, he goes about his morning routine. First, teeth. Two minutes and 10 seconds of brushing, rinse, then mouthwash. NO flossing. Hurts too much. Next, shave. Electric shaver that plugs into the wall. The charging ones tend to lose their ability to hold a charge and it's not worth it to have half a shaved face to then have to Bic the whole thing clean. Next, stretch. Not full on yoga, but some deep stretches with deep breathing. With the amount of alcohol regularly consumed, it is beneficial to get some physical work in. Lastly, breakfast. Usually little more than a cup of coffee or two and a banana. The consistency of the routine kept him grounded. No matter how things changed or how he evolved as a person, or didn't, the repetitive nature of the morning routine helped keep him in a frame of mind that was centered. Today was day three of this routine. It wasn't working.
I hate this... why am I doing this again? Some magazine or Buzz Feed article or some such nonsense? I'm an idiot.
Making his way outside, the sun beat down rosying his cheeks amid the chilly autumn air. Blowing out puffs of warm air, he admired the cloud of smoke with every exhale. Unprepared for the cold, as it was, he set out to find warmer climates. Clearing his mind, he began building the place he wanted to go, placing himself there in his head.
White sand. Twiddling my toes and letting the sand accumulate between them. Flexing the muscles in his shins and calves as his toes danced. Imagining the tendons in his feet and ankles expressing and relaxing. The intermittent crash of the waves against the shore. Squawking of the seagulls overhead. The gentle rumble of chatter of all the people bathing in the warmth of the sun. Whipping winds pulling granules of sand into the air and displacing them gently along the beach.
The stillness in his mind took him to Castaway Island. Remembering his youth. Happy times, the few that they were, with both of his parents. Taken back to the carefree life of a 10 year old without responsibilities, he fought back a tear and breathed through the quiet.
Fiji.
A splash of water crawls up his legs, covering his feet. Opening his eyes, the darkness of the night sky, dimly lit through sparse clouds by long dead stars across the expanse of sky all around him.
Shit... what time is it? 8 AM back home makes it... pulling out his cell phone, he squeezes it in impatience as it catches up to the local cell towers in the area. 3 AM here.
He sighs deeply and heads back home.
That sucked. At least I know I can get there. Is it only places I've been? Could I think up locations I've only ever read about or seen on TV? I should have my passport with me. Is it even up to date?