Chapter 1
Howard's Pov
The morning sun peeked through the curtains, gently nudging me awake to the rhythmic beat of my alarm clock. Stretching out my limbs, I rose from my bed with a whispered gratitude for another day. The familiar routine began as I shuffled to the bathroom, splashing my face with water to shake off the remnants of sleep.
With a sense of purpose, I headed to the kitchen, the heart of our home. The sizzle of bacon and the aroma of brewing coffee filled the air as I prepared breakfast for my daughter Hale, and myself. As I packed her school snack with a handwritten note, memories of my late wife flooded my mind, reminding me of the love that still bound us together.
"Hale, breakfast is ready!" I called out, knowing well her penchant for lingering in bed. Her sleepy response echoed from upstairs, a reminder of her mother's stubborn morning demeanor.
Ascending the stairs, I chuckled to myself, anticipating the familiar scene awaiting me. Knocking gently on her door, I found Hale amidst a battle with her tangled hair, a mirror image of her mother's morning struggles.
Her exasperated glare melted into a begrudging smile at my amused expression. With a teasing remark, she retreated to her bathroom, a routine dance between father and daughter.
As Hale begrudgingly acknowledged the passing of time, I couldn't help but smile, grateful for the simple moments that bound us together. I lingered in my own room, cherishing the echoes of laughter that fills our home.
***
Hale's pov
"Don't leave m-"
The annoying buzz of my alarm clock shattered the remnants of my dream, dragging me back to reality with a jolt. Sarcasm dripped from my thoughts as I cursed the relentless device that never failed to snatch me from my slumber. *Great, just what I needed,* I grumbled inwardly, *another rude awakening.* And to top it off, I couldn't even remember what I was dreaming about.
"Hale, breakfast is ready!"
His booming voice pierced through my reverie, yanking me back to the present. I called back, "5 MORE MINUTES, DAD!" while I struggled to grasp onto the fading threads of my dream.
Lost in my own musings, I didn't even notice my dad's approach until he was right at my door, grinning like a fool. I shot him a glare and snapped, "Really, dad?" He responded innocently, "What?" My annoyance escalated as I exaggeratedly demanded, "What 'what?' Stop looking at me like that." *He's being so annoying,* I thought, though a small voice in my head reminded me, * but you love him though, don't you?* I shut down that thought with a sharp, "Shut up!"
With a frustrated sigh, I abandoned the futile effort to recall my dream and muttered, "You know what? Never mind," as I headed to the bathroom to begin my morning routine.
"Hurry up, you're gonna be late for school," he called after me.
"Yeah, yeah, I know," I replied, already bracing myself for the day ahead.
(20 minutes later)
Dressed and ready, I made my way to the kitchen, where I found my dad patiently waiting. He grinned and teased, "Little turtle, huh?" I shot back, "Bleh! You know I'm faster than any other girls," punctuating my words with a proud flex of my muscles.
"Yeah, yeah, now hurry up," he chuckled.
As we ate, our conversation drifted to random topics, often landing on planets and stars. Eventually, our meal concluded, and I bid my dad farewell.
"I'm leaving now, see you later!" I announced, planting a kiss on his cheek.
"Bye dear, take care!" he replied, handing me my snack box as I headed out the door.
.
.
.
I made my way to the parking lot, anticipation coursing through my veins. And there it was, my pride and joy – my baby, the sleek and powerful Black YZF R1. A gift from my father on my 18th birthday, a symbol of freedom and adventure.
As I approached, I ran my hand lovingly over the smooth curves of the bike, feeling the familiar hum of its engine beneath my fingertips. Memories flooded my mind – the exhilarating rides, the winding roads, the sense of liberation as I raced through the night.
With a grin plastered on my face, I swung my leg over the saddle, settling into the familiar embrace of the seat. The engine roared to life with a throaty growl, a sound that sent shivers down my spine. With a twist of the throttle, I set off, ready to conquer the road once again on my trusty steed.
***
As the first light of dawn painted the sky, I found myself standing in front of my favorite coffee shop, craving the comforting embrace of caffeine to kickstart my day. It was 6 am, and the need for my morning fix was undeniable. Pushing open the door, I stepped inside, greeted by the familiar aroma of freshly brewed coffee.
Behind the counter stood Tessa, a familiar face around my age, who also happened to be a friend. "One cappuccino?" she asked with a knowing smile, to which I simply nodded in agreement.
"Gotcha, gimme a minute," she replied, disappearing behind the counter to craft my drink. I made my way to my favorite spot, a cozy corner where I could watch the world awaken outside the window.
After a brief wait, my cappuccino was placed before me, steaming gently in the cool morning air. As I took the first sip, the rich, velvety flavor enveloped my senses, warming me from the inside out. Through the misty window, I could still see the remnants of dawn's embrace, the world bathed in a soft, ethereal light.
I savored each sip, allowing myself to lose track of time as I immersed myself in the tranquility of the moment. Despite the bustling activity of the city awakening around me, this cafe, with its cozy ambiance and the gentle chirping of birds outside, felt like home. It was a stark contrast to my own reluctance to embrace the early hours, a trait I inherited from my mother.
After a blissful fifteen minutes of solitude, I reluctantly tore myself away from my haven and made my way towards the academy, ready to face whatever challenges the day may bring.
(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*.✧(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*.✧(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*.✧
A/N
I LOVE HOWARDDD, HE'S MY DREAM DADDDD