c h a p t e r – o n e

The sight of the rising sun, the smell of caramel-flavored coffee in my cup, the cool breeze of the season coming from the open window in front of me, and the presence of the thousand books surrounding me in this room brings comfort and lightens my mood after the long and stressful week in school. This is my only escape, the only way to release the endless stress coming on my way.

Currently, I've been staring at the bright light from the sun rising at the horizon while enjoying my favorite sound of peaceful silence in the morning. Right in front of me is the cup of coffee prepared by one of the maids that are hired to work on this house. Caramel-flavored coffee. I don't really know when and where I've got my strong affection, or I may say obsession, in this flavored coffee. All I know is that I can and I am willing to drink this kind of coffee for the rest of my life.

On my hand, I've been holding a random book that I have picked up on my way in front of the window where I've been standing for quite time. Since I was young, I have already fallen in love with the thought of reading books. Every time that I have been feeling down or having a bad day, all I've been doing is locking-up myself in a room and look for a book to read. Some people might don't believe me but I really do find comfort in reading books.

I have a close relationship with my parents but I am not actually open to tell them all of the problems I've been facing as I grew older. I prefer doing my thing and dealing with it on my own. On my age, I've already learned being independent on my actions and decisions in life.

Suddenly, the peaceful moment that I've been having in this room have been ruined by the loud thud caused by the door being pushed open hardly by the person I did not expect to see this early in the morning.

"Alexander Graham Bell!" He shouted cheerfully as he stepped inside the library.

"Drop the foolish nickname Ace. What's your business here this early?" I replied giving him the lazy look. Ace is one of my closest friends since I step into the secondary school for quite years ago and since then, he gained access to this house after he befriended all of our staffs and even my parents. I really do know why we became friends years ago, but sometimes I doubt it for some reasons.

"Drop the foolish nickname Ace." He said while mimicking what I have said and the way I said those words. "Come on bro, I'm here with some important news for you."

"Speak." I simply replied while walking towards the set of table and chairs in the center of the room with the cup of coffee in one of my hands and book on the other.

"I'm here with an invitation, just for you." He said with a monotonous voice as I turn again in his direction. He has been displaying a slight smile of uneasiness in his face when he said that statement. The reaction in my face remained blank and I did not bother to reply to him and let him just speak more about the point in this news of him. "Someone is organizing a party for something tonight."

"You are really fond of cutting your statement, don't you? Just tell me all the details Ace." He chuckled awkwardly as I reply to him coldly.

"The details you've been asking and seeking for are all written in here." He said while sliding the piece of invitation card with the color of black and gold on top of the table. That thing really caught my attention not only because of its elegance but also because of the words that has been printed out on top of it. Moments later, my attention has been snapped out of it suddenly once Ace speaks again. "I'll see you later, Alex." After saying those words, he started walking towards the exit but immediately halted in his tracks as I replied.

"I didn't say I'm coming." I said while trying to divert my attention back in the scenery outside of the window. "I already planned to do something to—"

"Like seriously, Alex?" Ace retorted while I am speaking causing me not to finish my statement. "I know you're lying, do not wanted to go and just fabricating your excuse, but you needed to be there tonight, and you know that." This guy really knows how to read me. I sigh in defeat for this guy, he knew how to tell if I'm saying the truth or not. I've been focusing my sight in other things and I can't look people in their eyes while lying, which is a known fact about me by those people close to me.

"Okay, okay. I'll try to come in that party." I replied raising both of my hands in the level of my head to disport my relinquishment.

"Don't just try Alex, everyone are expecting you to be there." Ace finishes as he set back to his trail towards the exit leaving me confused on what to do about the party tonight.

Whoa, expecting me to be there? Of course they do, everyone wanted me to be there. Like, the excitement and fun the whole night would be ruined if I don't show up to that party.

I let go another heavy sigh while staring at the cup of coffee in front of me. I've been trying to formulate a huge excuse for not going to that party, but there's nothing good coming out of my mind. Every excuse I've been coming up with always comes up to cause me trouble in the end, and maybe also to Ace, I guess.

I shut my eyes close, took a deep breath, think positively, built up my courage, and made the decision I think the best for me. It seems like stress doesn't take its weekend breaks, it is still coming right my way. There's no better choice left for me.

I'll be going to that party.