Early (Azaleah/MarziEl)

JOLIE LIANO

I've always thought of myself as trapped.

Every day is the same. I wake up, I eat cereal, I put on my clothes, I brush my teeth, I go to the training centre, I skip lunch, I train, I come home. My wings were clipped in early childhood and it's not like I can even grow them back - my parents beady eyes would peck them away in an instant. I'd give anything to have that carefree attitude back, the freedom that comes with growing up is elusive and fleeting when you're destined for a life of walking a path tread by failures, expected to make it a success.

The routine of it all - I don't like it. I don't want to be bound to the name following my first, nor the histories that are the reason I have come to be. How boring would it to be to live the life expected of oneself? No, I'd rather forge an adventure of my own.

One day, I'll do it. One day, I'll finally pluck up the courage to do things for myself. I'm not brave enough yet. Being a career teaches you to be courageous but it doesn't teach bravery - fearlessness is a process. I'm not there yet. Today is not that day.

The training centre is encased in a golden box from the sun. The smell of the shore is carried from the coast by the sea mist and I'm careful not to head down to the beach and stare into the ocean for hours. My parents would undoubtedly find out, they have their ways, and I don't fancy another week of being escorted from place to place because I can't be trusted enough to walk the same circles. It's always so tempting; to explore the world, become a pirate for the day. Adventure is only a few power moves away.

But I'm not there yet. Today is not that day, and so I strike up a conversation with the girl who basks in the glory of the sun. She's up just as early as me and her eyes ping open as my footsteps approach. I welcome her back to reality with a smile.

"Someone's up early." I say, taking a seat beside her. "So, what is it, then? Wanting to cram as many hours in or trying to escape your parents?" Lord knows I'm doing the latter.