Morning Ritual

"That was strange."

Amethy sat up in her small, dark room. A long, thin rectangle of light sliced through the gap between her curtains. Steadily, she climbed out of bed, treading carefully until her eyes adjusted to the light. Scattered across the floor were her art supplies. Paintbrushes, watercolours and pencil sharpenings laced the floor. The bin overflowed with paper covered in drawings scribbled out in frustration. Amethy made her way towards the curtains and drew them back. She squinted as the light poured into the room. Another day had begun. Another unimaginative day.

Rumaging through her dresser, she pulled out: a pair of black, classic harem pants; a white, off-the-shoulder blouse with puff sleeves hemmed with lace and a deep plum, heart necked corset tied at the back. She wore her long, black hair tousled and wild, adding a purple bandana tied as a headband. Her eyelids were painted black around the edges and silver at the centre. She used black, liquid eyeliner to create two wings that were separated by a slash of silver. Trying to prevent her eye from having a fit, she carefully inserted a pair of purple coloured lenses over her dark, brown eyes. Finally, she reached for the pendant that hung from the corner of her mirror. It was a purple jewel, set in a gold platinum frame. It was given to her by her mother and it was the only thing she had left of her.

Breakfast was usual. Berry granola with cold milk. An apple. A breakfast bar. Not much to excite but enough to prolong the morning. Grabbing her bag, sketch book and coloured pencil set, Amethy set out for school.