You get up and begin to pace around your room. Your mind is a whirlwind of anxiety and worry. You go over every part, every wire, every step you took during the exam. You could recall each and every entry from your books about what you did and you meticulously go over the checklist to make sure you tested for it. That was the problem though, you were always good at remembering things. Weapon stats, flight paths, boss info. It took a bit of studying, perhaps longer than others but once it was learned you locked it in your mind forever. Now it seemed like your talent was working against you. Every detail came to you crystal clear then followed with doubt. Did you double check the voltages? Did you make sure the wires were in right? You pace some more trying to shake off the doubt. Eventually you figure that you shouldn't be alone with your own thoughts. Maybe talking to someone else and venting a bit would be healthy.
You look at your computer. Maybe one of your friends would be up at this hour? They'd definitely be a good choice and they're probably wondering how you did. But for some reason you can't really make yourself get on your computer. It just reminds you of the exam. You sigh and pace for a bit more before something hits you. When was the last time you talked to your mother? Really sat down and talked? A wave of guilt washes over you along with the nerves. The last few days if not weeks was simply a combination of you going to work, studying, and playing games. If it wasn't for the fact that your job paid well, you'd wonder if you actually contributed to the house. Part of you still irrationally felt like you weren't amounting to anything. If you were dad were still alive... you rub your eyes and temple for a moment before sheepishly thinking of nothing and walking out of your room. The hall outside your room as nearly pitch black save for the bright light of the first floor shining up through the stairs. You hear the house settle as the heater turns on and all the old wood groans as if carrying the weight of many years of service.
https://youtu.be/2USlbyHsxXM?si=n8Bvb6xfHZ4OrR9cThe smell of cinnamon and hot chocolate faintly lingers in the air as you make your way through the long shadows that stretched out through the stair rail. The sounds of running water slowly grow louder as you make your way to the kitchen where you see your mom dutifully washing the dishes after today's meal. Behind her, a small pot of bubbling hot chocolate was idly simmering. The warm steam rising from it had coated the nearby windows with a nice fog that blurred out the outside word, insulating you from the worries that go on there. Occasionally she'd stop between dishes to look over to her phone and play a different video. "Today we're going over Christmas decorations folks! What's traditional and what's out of style! Stick around because our top 6, that's right, top 6 Christmas ornaments might shock you!"
