Prelude to Graduation Day
"The time is now 6:30am, you have snoozed four times now," a robotic voice rang out, "it is recommended that you wake up or you will miss the morning train."
'I swear that damn alarm nags me more than either of my parents.' Kristin couldn't help but wish that her parents would keep the house at a warmer temperature, after all don't they know how hard it is to get out of bed when the room feels like an ice box.
With practiced ease, she threw a water bottle at a button near her window causing her binds to open and light to flood the room. As she adjusted to the brightness, Kristin stumbled towards her closet. Grabbing her uniform, she stumbled through the hallway towards the bathroom.
As she was walking, Kristin felt a chill go down her spine.
"Ya know, you'd have a lot more energy if you would start exercising with me. You'll eventually wish that you listened to your dear brother." The smug voice of her older brother rang out from behind Kristin.
"And I told you that if you keep bugging me about that, I would make sure you never get to spend anytime with whichever girl you are chasing after this week. Not to mention it's not like I'm in poor shape so I don't get why you are so persistent, not everyone wants to be like you" Kristin sighed.
The Hawk family was a fairly blessed family physically. Almost every member of their family was 5'10" or taller and had a fairly athletic figure by their mid-teens. Although, Kristin couldn't remember seeing any adults who did not have a slim or muscular build in her entire life. Maybe she was the odd one out and everyone else was a fitness manic like her brother William.
While her brother stood at a towering 6'5", Kristin never felt too intimidated by her brother since she was 5'11 which put her above most girls her age.
Ignoring any further comments from her brother, she hurried into the bathroom. After soothing hot shower, Kristin finally felt awake. Putting on the simple uniform of the 8th level academy, She went down the stairs to see her mother finishing up breakfast. Despite her job in the military, Sophie Hawk always made sure to take the time to cook for her children every morning. Seeing that her lazy daughter finally got up, Sophie took the omelet of the heat and served it.
"Remember Kristin, while today isn't your actual graduation ceremony you still can't be late today"
"I know mom, besides today today is one of the last days I get to spend with Cat and Klee. I heard that after graduation, Klee's family is moving to the 5th level."
"That's true, I heard that her father got re-enlisted. While you might not see her for a while, I'm sure with how headstrong that girl is you'll meet up again as long as you start applying yourself."
"Ugh, now you're starting to sound like Will"
"Well your brother has a point every now and then." Sophie said as she kissed her daughter goodbye. "I'll see you when I get home"
After finishing her breakfast, Kristin finally left and reached the railway just in time to catch the 7:15 train. Sitting on one of the benches, Kristin thought with a smile on her face that this is one of the last times she has to ride this train.
After graduating she could finally relax for a couple of months. 11 years of spartan levels of education from 7:30 to 6:00 every day has left Kristin exhausted. She hated that she never felt like she had anytime for herself. Every time she would bring it up with an adult, they would tell her that she'd get time for herself after she turned 15, and that magical age was finally here.
After sending a few messages to her friends, Kristin checked her email. The academy sent all their students a brief to explain what the day would consist of, and Kristin was pleasantly surprised to see that the teachers would only be talking for the first couple of hours. After that the school scheduled for students to spend the rest of the day with free time. While she was cheering in her heart, the train pulled into the academy station.
Kristin recklessly ran to her classroom, when "Thud!" Almost falling down, she rubbed her forehead and looked up to see the back of a young man. With a flushed face, she recognized the boy as Alex, the top student of the academy every year for the last 11 years. Barely able to look him in the eyes out of embarrassment, Kristin apologized and left without waiting for a response.
Entering the classroom, She found Cat and Klee. Hurrying over to her friends, Kristin got ready for her last day of school- and the last day of an ordinary life.