FOUR-WALLED WORLD

CHLOE HAMMOND

Nothing feels more perfect than going to bed at 10:30pm. Closing my eyes and falling asleep as the remainder of the deep blue tones get swept away into a monochrome sky, where millions of little bright dots fill the void.

Hours pass, the moon retreats itself behind the mountains, and my room is filled with soft morning sun. I know I’ll feel that same comforting feeling of the carpet beneath my feet, welcoming me to another day – which will be just like yesterday. In a world which is as unpredictable as much as it

is thrilling, the pleasantness of the same four creamy-white walls every morning is what keeps me feeling secure.

If all I want is to be comforted, I do not have to constantly

chase after it in every direction possible only to ultimately

fail, because I know that it is waiting for me at home. I do not think that I will ever wake up and wish I was anywhere

else but home – whatever that may mean in five, ten, or fifty years.

I’ll go downstairs, see my dad sitting at the dinner table, eating breakfast, with one ear listening to the mumble of the fireplace – because it’s on my perfect setting. I’ll open the cupboard and I’ll find a jar of Bega Crunchy Peanut Butter situated in front of the subpar option of Bega Smooth Peanut Butter, and I’ll open the drawer under the kitchen counter that holds our cutlery, and I’ll spread the peanut butter over

my toast.

I will never have to ask anyone where the glasses are, because I know they’re in the drawer to the left of the fridge. I love knowing that I will feel full and happy, and I’ll repeat this ordinary process tomorrow – until, maybe one day, I

grow tired of it.

And I will admit it’s scary to shed an old skin.

7am news on the TV and the other ear listening out for the mumble of my mum from the kitchen, while she’s making her cup of English Breakfast tea.

I know I can grab a slice of bread for breakfast, press down the toaster button and it won’t cause a piercing BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! alarm as smoke fills the room and the fresh scent