I blinked my eyes open, my lips stretching into a smile. It was a new day. A new to be me. I hopped out of bed and pulled on the white skirt and pale yellow polo of my school uniform. I slid down the banister to the first floor with glee, gracefully gliding into a run. I found my mom making breakfast in the kitchen, her gold-spun blond hair up in a messy bun.

“Good morning, Emma!” My mom said cheerfully.

“Good morning, Mom!” I replied. My mom handed me a plate with two slices of avocado toast and a fruit salad. Then she gave me a glass filled to the brim with a kale smoothie.

“Thanks Mom!” I said. I finished my breakfast and grabbed my backpack.

“Goodbye, Mom! I love you!” I kissed her cheek and ran out the front door. My two best friends, Olivia and James, came out of their house at exactly the same time I did, 8:03. Olivia’s honey colored hair was braided neatly like mine, and James’s honey blond hair was cropped and fresh. Olivia was wearing the same uniform I was, but James was wearing white slacks and a yellow polo. We started walking to school, lost in the pack of kids walking to Seneca Prep. Everyone at Seneca Prep walked to school, and everyone in my neighborhood went to Seneca Prep. When we got to school, we put our stuff in our lockers and headed off to class.

“Hello, students,” Mrs. Smith said once we all found our seats. She was wearing the same outfit my mom wore, the same outfit every woman in Seneca wore. A pale pink skirt that went down to her knees and a white blouse. Her hair golden hair was also up in a messy bun. Mrs. Smith’s voice was sugary and sweet, but also slightly monotone, kind of like a robot.

“Hello Mrs. Smith,” The class, including me, chorused in the same voice.

“Today we will be talking about the Boston Tea Party. Our governors met with the king of England and they discussed America becoming its own country. The king agreed, and the 3 men shared a cup of tea.” After class, I met up with Olivia and James and we headed over to lunch, which was salad, like everyday. I had a couple more classes after that, and then walked home.

“How was your day huh-uh-uh-oney?” My mom’s head twitched to the right side as she stumbled over the world “honey”.

“Mom? Are you alright?” I asked. My mom nodded.

“Ab-ab-ab-solutely!” She stammered again. My brow creased in concern.

“I’m going to go find some medicine,” I said worriedly. My feet made soft padding noises when the hit the carpeted stairs down the the basement. I flicked on the light, but the bulb had burned out. Suddenly a hand grabbed my ankle and clawed it’s way up my body. I screamed, but my mom didn’t come to help. The man’s face became illuminated by the light streaming from the first floor. He didn’t look like anyone in Seneca. He had messy dark brown hair, green eyes, and a stubbly beard.

“Can you help me?” He whimpered.