Sleep Deprived

                                    

                                          

Sleep? What's that? Who would've thought staying up all night reading forum posts about other people's experiences could actually help solve a problem? Right. No one ever.
But that's exactly how I've spent these past few nights.
It could've been worse, I suppose. I could've been up because of nightmares, but at least those haven't bothered me lately—especially the ones that include sleep paralysis. I've researched that too.
I gathered some information I really want to discuss with Faye. I even noted everything as neatly as I could in my old P.E. notebook. Why do we even have one? It's not like the class ever demands it.
I woke up to my alarm blaring right next to my ear, still at my desk, where I'd fallen asleep probably minutes before it went off. My eyes felt heavy, and my vision was irritated. I guess that's what I get. Hell, I don't even work this hard on homework.
I'm definitely sleeping through my classes today, no shame about it.
Grunting, I pushed myself out of the chair and made a half-hearted attempt to fix my hair before grabbing some clothes. As I opened my door, the smell of pancakes hit me from downstairs, which I would've loved if I weren't a literal mummy just risen from a tomb of exhaustion.
"Morning, sweethea—! Randy? Are you okay?" my mom asked, appearing from the other side of the floor, a mug already in hand, her face etched with concern.
Raspily, I replied, "delightful."
I made my way down the stairs, feeling her worried eyes following me before she trailed behind.
"How's my favorite nephew doing this morning?" Aunt Agathe greeted me cheerfully as I entered the kitchen to grab something munchable. 
She moved in for a hug but stopped in her tracks when she saw my face. "Not so fine, I see."
I probably didn't have the friendliest expression. I would've tried to fake a smile, but I had no energy. Wait, weren't those lightbulbs shining too brightly?
"Argh!" I groaned again, pulling my undershirt's hood over my face.
"Rudolph!" Agathe greeted as more footsteps made their way into the kitchen.
"Well, morning, second-favorite aunt," he replied, probably hugging her.
"Aw, second? That hurts."
He smirked. "It does, doesn't it?"
She gasped, realizing he was throwing her earlier comment back at her.
"Very well, since we're playing like that, I'll offer juice to my first-favorite nepehew this fine morning." She huffed, walking back to the counter to pour some orange juice into a glass.
Rudolph glanced at me and didn't even bother with a "morning." He just raised an eyebrow.
"Orange juice? He'll need about a pot load of caffeine."
"That or a good kick up the backside," my mom added with intended humour, I hope.
"I only have tea," Agathe said with a hint of remorse as she scanned through the counters.
"Too bad. I would've gladly accepted the caffeine," I replied, taking a seat, not resisting more of being awake and alive.
Lea laughed. "I can buy you some on our way. Get up."
She motioned for me to move my backside to the car, and I groaned.
To think Nathan and Josiah have the jolly blessing of studying at home. It made me jealous just to think they didn't have to wake up this early every morning. How I wished we could trade places, even if it was just for a year.