Disquiet

Source

I woke up that morning with no need for an alarm clock. My mum's harsh words ringing in my ears were more than enough to throw me wide awake.

"I'm sick and tired of your shenanigans, Tom!", my mother had shouted at my father.

I had gone to bed early last night, sleeping around 7pm which wasn't normal for me since my normal bed time wad 9pm. I usually watched my favourite tv show, which had usually aired around 8:00pm-8:30pm, before going to bed. But last night, I couldn't watch tv as I could hardly hear a thing over the noise of both my parents arguing in their room, so I just went to bed. In the end, I couldn't catch any sleep, so it was really a lose-lose for me.

With my head reeling in a spin of the terrible pounding headache, I walked, my legs wobbly, towards my bathroom. I opened the door and had my shower which was really refreshing. Every drop of water seemed to have a magical effect on my skin, permeating into the very depth of my soul, touching and reviving corners in me that were weak. It seemed all the sleep haf disappeared from my bleary eyes but who was I kidding, I was sleepy as hell. I quickly dressed up. It was 7:00 and school starts at 8:00. I hadn't even had breakfast yet and I definitely won't be happy missing breakfast or school.

In a matter of seconds, I was in my school clothes, my heavily packed backpack drooping behind me as I hopped down the stairs to get breakfast and then head to school. They were at it again and despite sleeping and waking up to the same tune of their argumental noisemaking, I couldn't say I was in any way getting accustomed to it. I tiptoed slowly past them into the kitchen, not bothering to greet them at all. I didn't even want them to notice me. Perhaps if they saw me, they would stop arguing and pretend everything was alright. Did they think I was that dumb or were they that dumb? Was I deaf to all the arguing? Even the neighbours were aware. So I wonder why they always felt to put on the act of a perfect couple before me when the truth was there for the whole world to see.

I opened the upper cabinet and pulled out a carton of my favourite cereal, coco pops. I shook the carton in disbelief. Unbelievable! It was empty. Mum had forgotten to buy it. She was probably so busy arguing with Dad all the time. Flustered n angry, I managed the leftovers of last night's pizza and in a matter of minutes I was ready to head to school. I heaved a sigh as I headed into the living room.

"You're very overbearing and. . .", My Dad paused as he set his glance on me.

They both gave me a smile and seemed ready to put on that perfect couple act for me.

"Here we go again", I thought to myself

"You're all dressed up"

"Yeah"

"So sorry I didn't wake you up. I forgot. Seems you're a big boy now though. Getting up yourself and all

"You did wake me up", I said

Mum looked at me, puzzled

"With your noise", I said

Mum and Dad stared down at me and there was a minute of awkward silence

"I gotta start going to school" I broke the silence "Since it's the only place I get peace and quiet."

"Oh Travis, we're. . .", My Dad tried to say before I cut him off

"I didn't even get any sleep last night. This morning, I wake up. No food. All you guys do is argue with each other and neglect me.", I said furiously "Well, I'm sick and tired of it", I stormed out.

I heard their voices trail behind me...

They were at it again!

_{Where there is darkness, I'll shine the light.}