I'm waking up to ash and dust

I wipe my brow and sweat my rust

I'm breathing in the chemicals

Edward's POV:

Damn. School.

I got up and ran my hand through my hair, looking into the mirror. Fuck it, I'll just shower later. I'm already gonna be late and it's the first day of school. I chuckled to myself.

My phone beeped and I flipped it open, not even bothering checking the number. The only person I really talk to these days is Royce, one of the only guys who haven't fucked me over.

From: Royce

Decided 2 call Kate 4 a quick fuck b4 school starts, so tell Mama Esme I slept in & I'll c her 2mrw morning.

I smiled to myself. Only Royce would make us both late for our first day at a new school. So much for starting off on the right foot.

To: Royce

Ight. C u in a few bro.

I sprayed on some cologne and didn't even bother shaving; what was the point? I'm not six years old anymore, going to school in a button down and dress pants. I remember those days, some were the best memories and others the worst.

First day of Kindergarten:

"Come on Edward, time to get up!" My mother was always in a bright and bubbly mood, despite everything that went on behind closed doors.

"Okay mommy!" I jumped up out of bed and hugged my mother, noticing a few fresh bruises on her arms and chest. I frowned.

"Mommy, did you and daddy get into a fight again?" She wriggled her eyebrows and her big green eyes softened.

"Eddie-" She paused and took a few deep breaths.

"Who wants some fresh buttermilk pancakes!?" She tucked a bronze curl behind her ear and went over to my closet, pulling out a blue button-down short sleeved shirt and jeans.

"Me! Me!" I was ecstatic, and hugged my mother super tight, trying not to hug on the places that hurt. But after awhile, every place on mommy's body was hurt. She wouldn't go to the store anymore or see her friends.

I took off my wrinkled 'Kings of Leon' concert tee shirt and threw it in the hamper. I found a plain white tee shirt and threw it on. I slipped on a pair of black jeans and grabbed my hoodie, cigarettes, and lighter.

I picked up the picture I kept under my pillow-a picture of me and my mother.

"Damn, mom. I miss you," I paused for a minute, took a deep breath and continued. "I know I may not be the perfect little man I always aspired to be, but the world turned out to be a lot different than I expected, along with my childhood and the people who I thought gave a shit about me." I shuddered and went out on my balcony, lighting a cigarette.

I ran my fingers along the corners of the photos and traced the details of her face like I did every morning so I wouldn't forget her-

her big, bright green eyes that were always full of life, her long and curly bronze hair, and her full, pink lips. God, she was so beautiful, the most beautiful woman I had ever seen to this very date.

"I love you mom," I said softly as Royce honked outside. I put the picture back under my pillow on my unmade bed and ran downstairs giving Mama Esme a quick kiss on the cheek and grabbing my black backpack to the day that would change my life forever.