I brought the blue straw to my lips, and the cold liquid of my favorite Five Alive juice trickled down my throat. Its sweet orange flavor spread across my tongue, drawing a soft hum of satisfaction from my lips. It was wonderfully refreshing, and before I realized it, I had emptied the entire glass.
Contented, I placed the empty glass on the wooden bedside drawer and let myself fall backward onto the bed. The neatly made mattress welcomed me, its soft foam gently cushioning my aching body. I pulled the bedsheet up to my chin. It was cool against my skin and carried the faint scent of cheap detergent—a smell that somehow made the room feel clean and lived in.
Morning sunlight streamed through the open window in long golden shafts, while a cool breeze wandered inside, brushing gently across my face and the parts of my body the sheet failed to cover. I stretched lazily, closed my eyes, and inhaled deeply, savoring the crisp morning air.
