Chapter One: The routine

The alarm went off at 6:00 a.m. sharp. Not 6:01 or 5:59, but 6:00 a.m. Jeremy's eyes slowly fluttered opened as he pushed the covers back far enough so he could silence the alarm. He hated Mondays, but didn't everyone? He hated the fact that he had little to no sleep the night before too. It was always that way for him. The night before school was filled with anticipation and fear, so much so that his mind didn't let him rest until it was 2:30 a.m.

At least it's almost over He thought as he finally willed his body to leave the warmth and comfortableness of his bed. Today was the beginning of the end for him, his senior year.

His feet touched the coolness of the wooded floor and he made his way to the bathroom. His morning routine started as he showered, brushed his teeth and quickly got dressed.

He walked back into his room to make sure his bed was made. It wasn't the norm that a 17 year old boy would do this. But he wasn't the average 17 year old. And plus if his grandma was here, she'd  make sure he didn't leave the room until it was tidy.

"Is your bed made?" She would ask.
"Yes Ma'am." He would respond.
"Good now come and eat breakfast before it gets cold." She would say and go back into the kitchen. 

He sighed as he remembered his grandma. She was his rock, she held the family together. She held his life together and now he had to pick up everything on his own. Pushing the thoughts away, he left his room.

As he was headed towards Malcolm's nursery, he couldn't help but get the urge to check his mom's room. But it was no point. He knew what he would find behind the door. No one or worse, she would be passed out with God knows what in her system. No he didn't have time for that this morning.

"Hey Champ." He greeted. The toddler looked up at him and smiled. Malcolm was pretty quiet when he woke up. He had woken up five minutes or so before Jeremy came into his room and busied himself with playing with his Teddy. He dropped the Teddy beside him and stood to be released from his crib.

Jeremy smiled down at his younger brother before scooping him up. He gave him a bath and changed his clothes before going into the kitchen to find something for them to eat.

                                                                       

Jeremy fixed bowls of cereal for Malcolm and himself. It wasn't Grandma's pancakes, but it would keep them satisfied until lunch time. Malcolm ate his meal with no problems. Jeremy on the other hand wolfed down the Frosted Flakes and Milk and imagined it was something homemade. He cast a glance at the time on the microwave. 7:20 it read. Jeremy didn't realize how fast time was slipping away. He still had to get Malcolm to the daycare and himself in school before 8:05.  

He hopped off the stool and placed both bowls in the dishwasher. He quickly wiped Malcolm's face and hands before putting his shoes on. Next, he picked up Malcolm's diaper bag and his own book bag and was out the door. 

He was grateful that his landlord's daughter also ran a daycare service in their apartment complex. If not, he'd be screwed. He pushed the down button and waited until they reached the first level. He was met with Daisy, the landlord's daughter, smiling and waiting to take Malcolm away from him.

"Thank you." He said as he placed the diaper bag beside her. 

"Hurry or you'll be late for class." She said with a warm smile. She was right. He was well on his way to being late. 

Once he was outside of his building he began running. In his mind he tried to figure out the best way to get to school on time. Run, Bike, Subway, or try to find a taxi. He was nearing the subway and he still hadn't made up his mind.

And just as he was trying to remember if he had his Bridge card, he spotted a Taxi coming down the street.
Thank God he thought.
"Taxi!" He shouted and waved his hand. The yellow cab slowed to a stop and waited for him to get in.
"Bridgeport High please. I'm kinda in a hurry." He said. He buckled his seat belt and placed his book bag near him. The Cabbie nodded his head and then the meter began to run.