The Math Teacher and the Alpha

The incessant, cheerful sound of your radio alarm dragged you from a deep sleep. It was 4:30 AM. You groaned, burying your face deeper into the pillow, clinging to the last vestiges of comfort. The song was actually pretty good, you'd give it that, but the thought of this becoming your new reality – hating good music because it dared wake you before the sun – was a somber one.

"Anna! Your radio has been blasting rock for almost an hour now!" Your brother Alex burst through the door, looking thoroughly unimpressed. He was right, it had been pop yesterday when you set it.

"Sorry," you mumbled, throwing a pillow in his general direction. "I swear it was pop when I set the station yesterday."

"Very mature. That is not the point! You have a plane to catch in... 2 hours." His tone was laced with alarm, but you were too sleepy to fully process it.

"Do I really have to go? Can't I just stay with you forever? I love your cooking." You pulled the sheet over your face, hoping to disappear into the mattress.

"Two words little sister, your mate."

Mate. The word jolted you awake faster than any alarm. You sprang out of bed, a silly, hopeful smile spreading across your face at the mere thought. Your mate! You were finally going to find them. The end of one chapter, the start of another... or maybe it felt like an ending because you were leaving behind everything you knew.