A Tree is a woody perennial plant, typically having a single stem or trunk growing to a considerable height and bearing lateral branches at some distance from the ground. They are the life source and provider of this planet, giving humans oxygen and paper to use in our everyday lives. They also just sit there with rigid bodies that have long lanky hands poking out everywhere with chocolaty colour flaky skin shedding off its body that turns into an ugly bole colour.
Trees aren't something that people would really consider since we take away from the planet's life source by cutting them down. But there was one tree that I like to admire and it wasn't because of its natural beauty it beared or the ripe apple green leaves growing over its head. However, it's a tree that sat proudly in the middle of my huge backyard garden, isolating itself from its surrounding environment, it was the independent tree.
It grows healthy on its own, has enough space to breathe, can easily stretch its roots underneath its legs without colliding into the root of another and it shines magnificently on its own like nothing I've ever seen when the sun directly hits its back, spreading its wings like a morning butterfly captivating the eyes of a ponderous boy. I wonder when other people may view these types of things differently in a type of life, I wonder if people actually consider the thoughts of this lifeless colony in other parts of the world. This place surely doesn't, and they never will.
The sun rose in a pool of crimson and gold, spilling light all over the land and the white clouds with the morning swallows distracting me with their beautiful singing and the uprising heat beginning to pinch against my frozen skin. I let out a huge sigh and tap the end of my pen against my sketchbook. I focus my eyes more and try to study the tree in depth, this time, analysing it from top to bottom and picking out every perfect and imperfect detail on it for my drawing, mindlessly sketching the piece in my head. I want everything to be perfect for this drawing so I can present it at my upcoming art class this Thursday. I want to make sure everyone can see the things I see and relate to how this site in front of me is so breathtaking that people should come to realize how important things like these are and how important it is to be different. But it's not like anyone would be interested in what I have to share. My opinion is something that has no meaning to anyone.
"Is there really something different about me?" I breathe out.
I quickly shake my head before I trail my thoughts into negative thinking and click the pen back inside. I peer down at my watch on my wrist to check the time, realizing I only have now thirty minutes to get ready for school and fumble my book closed. I look at the tree one last time before I lift myself up onto my feet. I always get lost in my own little world I forget that I have to endure the next eight hours of judgemental school life in order to make my parents happy and to let it predict the future I will have. It's not something I would choose to do, But in order to keep my say here in my parents household I must abide by the rules.
The lenses of my glasses begin to fog and I bring my hand up to subtlety wipe them. the sound of the door backyard door opens and I avert my eyes back to the door and see two of the elder maids busily walk onto the porch with my uniform neatly folded in on one of their hands and a towel with all my toiletries on the others arms. They always went overboard with the hospitality in the household, my family look likes arrogant rich family to spoilt enough to do the own minor things.
I sigh in annoyance as walk up to them and take my clothing from Margret's arms, one of my personal maids. I look at them sceptically.
"Margret, Jackal I thank you once again for the hospitality of collecting my things but you know I can do it on my own" I jeer as I tuck my clothing under my arm.
"We know Mr Louis but..." Margret trails off and nervously glances towards Jackal. They give each other a worried expression and it makes me feel a tight churn in my stomach only making me think the worst, something must have happened.
I swallow down the clogging saliva in my throat and stammer "W-what is it?"
Margret's eyes flutter and she turns her head back to me, slowly babbling out. "Y-your father wants you in the dinner room urgently. He says he wants to speak with you before you leave for school."She orders and gives me a sympathetic look along with Jackal on the side.
I guess my father wanted to check in with my studies again, or something to do with the new school semester curriculum deciding which subjects to give me. It's always around this part of the year my father tends to be sterner with my studies and limits my free will, but I don't want to cause any more of a commotion this morning.
With that in mind, I firmly nod to them both and swiftly take my toiletries into my other hand, juggling them at the same time.
"Thank you for informing me, tell my father I'll be down soon," I say and quickly but carefully stagger past their worried faces to the door.
"Oh and Margret" I turn with an eyebrow raised. "It's just Louis."
After giving myself morning refreshment, I wrap my towel around my waistline letting it wrap around my legs down and walk over the mirror. I blankly stare over my tarnished body in pity slowly lowering my hand down to my hip. My body isn't something I'm generally comfortable with cause of my lack of physical physic barely showing and flimsy limbs that practically look like bone. I'm only five foot nine for a university student so you'd expect me to have stretched at least. But no, my body has not developed at all and I still bear a small tummy.
I shakily trace my fingers up my torso and over one of the many bruises as the corners of my eyes begin to mildly sting.
"Oh crap, I've been in here for too long!" I realize and quickly grab the edge of my towel and dart over to the rack trying not to slip. I pull the towel off my body and fold it up neatly before placing it back on the rack and fumble my plain white knoxford school top and trousers on. Once my clothes are finally on I quickly spray some cheap body spray I recently bought from the convenience store all over me before I place it back inside the drawer underneath the sink. I look at myself one last time, knowing full well I'm not going to look good even if I tried as I fix on my glasses and head out of the bathroom.
Sliding my hand down the railing I walk down the long grand timber staircase of our unneeded trillion dollar house, stepping down into a seething mass of maids and butlers. They were all bustling around the house with stacks on stacks of things in their arms some even holding platters of five-star foods in their hands with the screams of the cooks to 'be gentle' or calling out which door they need to bring the food too, the usual morning routine in this house.
Barely being able to see the ground I forcefully pace through the traffic of people. I try my best to find the door to the main dining hall were my father awaits me; Thinking of getting to talk to my father in the morning wasn't the 'ideal' morning for me. He is the CEO of a high ranked company in the United kingdom 'Empreus' known for managing some of the top leading brands in the like Sony Entertainment, BBC and you can expect for a man with that type of job has the coldest and stern personality of them all. Everything for my father revolves around work with even the way he talks to my mother, my sisters and I. It's like we are his servants with that superior tone in his voice, everything in this family has to be perfect in his eyes. That why I try my best to stay clear from him cause I know, I am not an ideal son.
I finally reach the never ending door that stretches up towards the ceiling with two big gold doorknobs on both doors. I'm not going to lie, I feel anxious to open the door. There were some things I had already planned to do as my subjects at school which I knew he would disapprove instantly of every single one and I was going to fight. Not physically fight, although, with a father like him it may come to that. But I will endure it like I have for the past seventeen years of my life.
When my body finally finds the confidence lurking inside me I place my sweaty hand over the doorknob slowly pushing the door forward hearing it creak. The first thing that hits me is how intimidating the room is. The huge canvas's of expensive artwork hanging over the sides of the walls with antique vintage vases sitting on white mini podiums in the corners of the room. The long brown table stretches through the middle of the room with my father sitting at the end of the room, papers occupying his hands. He was dressed in his normal attire of a tailor-made black suit with a one carat gold symbol of an eagle on his right boob pocket, his black hair slicked back and his burnt umber eyes intensely starring at the papers. I could faintly pick out my school's symbol on the back of one of the papers he is holding and can already tell that he has already chosen my subjects for me. I might not be so free after all.
I let the door close behind me and watch my father eyes direct towards me. I can feel the intense aura filtering the room as my father's gaze from me goes back to the paper.
He gently places the papers back on the table stands up from his seat. He adjusts the cuffs of his sleeve with a smug look over his lips.
"Louis, take a seat" He orders. I don't really feel like sitting down in a situation like this but if I don't I would get a slap to the back of my head, I wouldn't want a concussion before heading towards the school that will top that.
My fingers pinch against the edge of my pants as I push down the clog of saliva in my throat. My body feels stiff yet relaxed in the inside of me and my stomach feels tight yet surprisingly bloated. I don't know if I am just hungry or I am feeling so under pressure to be around my own father right now.
I give him a subtle nod and walk over to the right side of the table. I place myself four seats away from him making sure I keep my head intact as I pull a chair out from underneath the table and sit down. My eyes trail over to the piles of papers all messily stacked on top of each other with my father's huge signature all over them. I can already tell where this conversation was drifting to, the future of the business and me being the next face of Empreus, something I have never planned for myself.
My father professionally clears his throat. "I've called and asked for all the subjects that have been listed for this semester at your school and..."He trails of as he gathers up the papers into his hands. "I've narrowed down the five most important ones you need to take."
My eyes nervously follow the sheets of papers as he walks up towards me. He then stops behind my chair and drops the pile of papers down in front of me, hovering over me as my hands quickly snatch the paper of the table.
My eyes scan the sheet line from line unable to comprehend the disbelief in what I'm seeing. Not one single subject that could actually be interesting is listed on these papers. All of them, every single one of them were all business studies and the compulsory English and maths that were listed. Didn't he think that maybe I would want to enjoy my school life before it ends right? This is an utter joke.
I can feel the weight of my father being pulled off me as I hear him starting to walk away.
"You'll be taking most of the business studies to further improve your saving, managing and financing skills for the overrunning of Empreus in the near future. Since your skill right now is not at a high standard I am expecting, I must act sharp to this as this is our families company. All things made and done by us are for the good of the people and ourselves." He proudly ponders on as I hear the subtle pop of a cork off a whiskey bottle.
Trying to keep most of my fury inside I close my eyes for a quick moment. I know my father would never approve of me taking up football since it has nothing to do with my career. But I would like to a least give it a try and take it up as a Hobby and maybe if I can along the road, finally make some genuine friends that would, at least, say a couple of words to me then not having any interaction at school at all. But then again would I ever be accepted into the football team with the little skill I have? I probably would be set as the water boy the entire time and drool over everyone else having a blast on the field. Maybe he's saving me from the embarrassment of self-shaming myself. Maybe I should stop being so delusional.
I slowly re-open my eyes and lower the documents down to the table as I hear my father taking the glass off the silver platter and pouring the brew into his cup. I push myself up off the chair and quickly fumble the papers in my hand, fumbling with them at the same time.
I turn around to look at my father who stares at me sceptically.
"Thank you father, now um if you'll excuse me I must be going now," I say, stammering on my words.
I promptly turn around and rush out of the room before my father could keep me back any longer as I bring my hand up to rub my eyes under my glasses. I always seemed to be an easy shell to crack when things like this happen. I guess knowing the truth does really hurt, and even the truth knowing you before you know it even hurts just as more.
Once I'm out of the room I let the doors close behind me and stand there, letting the small trickle of water fall from my eyes. I'm glad that no one is here to see me in this ugly state. The atmosphere is quieter with only the two elderly who work the reception desk and my mother chatting away with them about irrelevant subjects at the far end of the downstairs parlour. Good, at least, I can be alone for now I guess.
I push my back against the door and let the weight of my body take over, sliding down to the ground. I curl my knees tightly into my chest and bury my head into my knees more, squeezing the edge of the paper. I don't know how to describe this feeling that was inside me. My chest feels heavy yet so light, and my head was paining yet I feel relieved. My eyes won't stop crying, but I can't hold them back. Maybe these are the reactions of being neglected. Maybe I should really just become the mindless drone my father expects of me to be.
"Lou?"
I freeze once I hear my mother call and I quickly rub my eyes. I adjust my glasses and lift my head up to see my mother bent down looking at me with concern. The first thing that I can notice is how many layers of dust she has over her beautiful face. She's always been so insecure about her looks ever since father got this job. She turns into dad with her usual attire of a tight black bodycon dress and a heavy gold chain dangling on her neck, her hair used to be a nice seal brown and now has turned into an eerie black colour that's always tied up in a messy bun. I wonder if she knows what she is doing and becoming one of dad disciples. I wonder when she will come to terms that she is more than she thinks.
My thinking becomes weary as my mum traces her fingers through my hair, narrowing her eyes at me anxiously.
"Are you alright dear? It's already seven thirty shouldn't you be at school now? "She asks me before her eyes spot the papers hanging in my hand.
Her wide eyes glare at me and then down at the papers and I pull the sheets into my chest scarcely.
"I'm ok, I just hurt myself on my knee, it's no biggie" I stumble on my words as I clumsily haul myself up to my feet.
My mom just looks up at me from the ground and gives me the same studying face she always gives when she thinks something is up.
"What, I said I'm fine alright!" I hug the documents against my chest harder and avert my eyes away from her.
"Well... um, ok then...but hurry up to school yeah? The car must be waiting outside..." She trails off as she stands up onto her feet.
I slowly re-connect my eyes back onto my mother again as she walks away back to the reception desk. I breathe out; thankful my mom didn't go on. But she is right, its seven thirty and I should be at school by now I only have thirty minutes before the bell for roll call goes.
I forcefully pull my shaken body off the timber floor and wipe off the specks of dirt off my shorts. I then push the bridge of my glasses up from titling down and walk over to the other side of the downstairs pallor were a long brown table scattered with my family's belongings.
I slowly scan around the bright multi-colour table of my sisters and mums trillions of bags, stationary and make-up to find my case for my glasses. My sisters go to Yorship private school which is an all-girls institution, and my older sister attends The University of oxford studying interior and accessories design. It was my mother Idea to send Lottie to the top university to study interior, she has the same innovations as my father on her, wanting her to become the next head of Emprus's top leading interior design company 'Sphiro'. It's like a Tomlinson family tradition; pass down the head crown of the two leading companies to the two eldest siblings. It's an aggravating process to go through, but I guess once you're in chains you have to wait until the seal is broken.
I eventually find my black case underneath Lottie's tall pile of documents that is overflowing with different coloured sticky notes and reach my hand out to grab it. I carefully slide it out from underneath before my ears pick up the riotous happily squeals of my two younger sisters, Phoebe and Daisy loudly stomping down the stairs chatting away.
I direct my attention over towards them standing on the stairs with Phoebe combing her manicure fingers through her long new dyed platinum blonde hair, groaning.
"No, I used the tresume prime mother offered for me this morning. I usually use Garniar but recently I have been having knots and dead ends in my hair and it's gross." Phoebe whines from the stairs crossing one arm over her chest.
I watch on as Daisy blankly blinks towards Phoebe with her uninterested blue eyes, messy brown hair bun and slouched over back.
She rubs the back of her neck lazily "Oh really, looks nice Phoebe." She murmurs tiredly. Poor Daisy she has to deal with her complete opposite sister rant about beauty and fashion twenty-four seven in their shared room and at school, Can't seem to take a break from it.
My body stiffens a little bit when Daisy's ocean blue eyes widen in excitement once she sees mine. She quickly bolts down the stairs in her short school blue skirt and white blazer top, stumbling halfway.
"Lou, Good morning!" She cutely calls to me with a small giggle in her tone.
I open my arms wide for her and she jumps into the embrace to hug me tightly.
I can't help but smile at how cute my younger sister gets every day. I hope she can stay like this forever, she is only ten years old, but she is already growing up into a cupcake.
"Good morning sweet cheeks did you sleep well?" I ask as I lightly brush the back of her head in content. She nuzzles her face deeper into my shirt and nods.
"Mhm, I did, although I think Daisy isn't having the best morning..." She trails off as she reels her head back up and turns her direction towards the footsteps walking behind her.
Phoebe strolls up towards us with her short fingers crankily brushing through her long entangle hair with a scrunched face.
"Mornin Louis" She groans.
"...Is everything alright?" I scarcely ask.
She huffs in annoyance "Don't ask I'm not interested in discussion problems about my physical physique." She stomps off the table, ignoring her sister and I concerned stares. Daisy has also become very insecure about her body ever since Lottie was chosen to represent the interior company, thinking it was only because she has the perfect hair, perfect figure and perfect grades, but it doesn't mean any of that. It's only because Lottie is the eldest sister, but she doesn't seem to realise that.
I let a small sigh and feel the weight of my sisters become lighter as she leaves the embrace to rejoin phoebe at the table. I then glance at the worn out black Casio brand watch wrapped around my wrist to check the time.
"Girls we need to get going, Marcow must be waiting outside with the car," I inform as I pick up my black Adidas bag underneath the table and swing it over my shoulder.
I look over to my sisters to see them organizing their mini textbooks and exercise books into their matching pink and purple bags. They push their little arms through the handle sockets and look towards me with a grin.
"Alright let's go."