Chapter 8

Pat

How I wake up is one of the easiest ways to know whether my day will go well. Or rather, when I wake up and how I feel when I do. Bored? Tired? Groggy? Sleepy? With a headache? Just numb?

The shrill alarm at 6 has me snapping my eyes open from sleep. There is no sign of a headache, no delays in opening my eyes, and my young youthful body seems to also be ready for the day. And it proves it when I lift myself up from the bed.

I am swift and full of life, unlike yesterday. Today is going to be a good day, I whisper to myself as I walk toward the restroom.

As I slide the toothbrush around in my mouth, I try to think of what has me excited. Obviously, it isn’t the school because the way I’m shoved aside isn’t something to delight in. Neither is it Kaiser nor Faith. Those two are too preoccupied with themselves to make me 

this

 giddy.

“Ricardo,” the voice in my head says in response.

I shake my head. No, not Ricardo. It’s som