Chapter One- Another tedious day

William ^ :p

I wake up and, with a soft shake of my shoulders, erase most of the foggy cloud from my mind.

I check the time on the gray, digital clock, that sits sullenly on the smooth expanse of my bed-side table.

[5:30 am]

I roll my eyes, the simple motion leaving an aching feeling deep in my skull.

A hour of waiting.

I stare around the room that seems to have imprisoned me for the last two months.

Soft, white curtains lay over a grey blind that covers the wide expanse of my window. Evergreen plants decorate multiple surfaces around my room; a real botanical touch. My colour scheme consists of gray, black, white, green and blue.

I remember picking out every aspect of this room; I remember being overjoyed yet scared of making a mess. Now, I can barely water the plants, let alone appreciate small details.

I count the stars pinned on my ceiling and wonder how long it's been since I've seen the real things, not just through the tinted glass of my window.

I wait in silence, too awake to sleep; too weak to get up.

Finally, I hear a knocking on my door.

I check the time,

[6:30 am]

Breakfast.

"Sweetie?" The gentle voice of my mum calls, rough with a hint of sleep-deprivation.

"Yeah" I call back, my throat croaking from the minimal use.

"Breakfast!"

She enters, carrying a tray of apple juice and yoghurt.

Mum's certain that having a balanced diet will 'mend me', although her optimism has died down over these last few weeks.

"Megan's in her room if you need anything" she reminds me, "I'm off to work now love."

"Bye Bye" I reply, it's the same every day.

Mum's hoping that I'll be healthy enough to go back to school for the new year; it starts in five weeks and things aren't looking too positive.

I sip at the drink slowly, managing almost half of the cup, before setting it down. Next, I tackle the yoghurt, the sweet apricot bursting onto my tastebuds.

And with a heavy mind and a full stomach, I drift off to sleep.

[...]

"One, two, three!" I hear a shout in my ears, and then i'm falling.

It's as if I'm flying through the air, the wind rushing into my ears; joyous tears rising in my eyes.

The parachute expands above me, a bright spectrum of delight.

I spot the green mass of fields, many miles beneath me and marvel at the tiny specs of white- sheep- that live in them.

The intense dropping feeling has died down and, instead, is overpowered by a sense of freedom.

I feel...truly alive.

[...]

And then I wake up.

Glancing towards the clock, I check the time.

[12:30 pm]

I roll my eyes.

30 minutes to wait.

I spend the time observing my appearance, in the square mirror directly opposite my bed.

A tired-looking boy stares back at me. Semi-smooth skin, short brown hair and dark blue eyes; puffy lips and heavy eyelids.

I am the epitome of fatigue.

...Well I guess that makes sense, considering my current circumstances. I let out a slight chuckle, the action shocking my delirious mind.

A knock on the door; I check the time,

[1:00pm]

Lunch.

I hear the boisterous voice of my sister ringing through the halls.

"It's lunchtime William!" She shouts.

My door bursts open to reveal my sister, carrying a tray full of food.

She places the tray down on my lap, removing my 'breakfast tray' from the bedside-table.

"Enjoy, baby brother!" She sings, before leaving the room.

That's how my sister copes; ignore the truth and act even happier. I sometimes hear her talking to mum, hear her crying; it breaks my heart. She never lets me see that side of her; pure optimism is all I get.

I finish the majority of my tray, placing it on the side, before rolling onto my side and closing my eyes.

I'm so tired-

[...]

"Oi, Captain!" I hear Megan call, "I think I can see the land!"

I laugh, pushing at her shoulder, as we paddle the small boat back to shore.

Soft waves lap at the sides of our 'ship', creating a calming atmosphere in the air.

Sniffing slightly, I am welcomed by the faint scent of salt; mixed in with the aroma of fish and sand.

I giggle, a truly delighted sound, and glide my paddle through the water, bringing us closer to the bank.

"Willy," Megan says, earning a playful shove from me, "I wanna stay here forever."

As I take in the beautiful sunset and flocks of smiling faces, I reply, "me too"- with a happy sigh.

[...]

I wake up, with a desperate urge to go to the toilet. Willing my aching muscles to withstand the pressure, I slowly walk towards the bathroom- my knees bending slightly.

I get there and breathe a sigh of relief. After doing my business, I make the tedious journey back and fall onto the bed.

That's the only thing I refuse to be helped with; I would rather faint from pain than allow my sister or mum to help me to the toilet.

My muscles tense up in bruised agony.

"I'm back!", I hear mum shout from below.

I check the time,

[6:30pm]

Dinner.

I repeat the same process, as with the other two meals, and pat my slightly bloated stomach.

I decide to read; the illness has not completely destroyed my intelligence, it seems.

As I delve into the life of Tom Saywer, and the adventures he experiences, I am completely distracted from my own problems- at least for a little while.

I close my eyes, for the last time 'til morning.

I live my life through my dreams and stories because my body refuses to make them a reality.

I am William Elijah Brookes.

I am a CFS sufferer.

I am The Pajama Kid.

[__]

I hope you enjoyed this chapter! I've decided not to include a prologue (I know, good ol' indecisive me) and to just kick straight into the main story. Sorry if parts of this chapter seemed too repetitive; I tried to achieve a dreary 'Groundhog day' effect to show the lack of things that occur in William's day to day life :p

Anyways, have a good day/night,

El x