Opal was wrapped in a cocoon of warmth, her face buried in the plush pillow, her limbs tangled in the soft blanket. Her room was dim, the morning light barely filtering through the curtains. She was in that perfect state of half-sleep, her body heavy, her mind floating... until a loud knock shattered the peace.
"Opal! Wake up!"
Opal groaned, burying her face deeper into the pillow. No... not yet... five more minutes...
The door burst open, the hinges creaking as her mother's cheerful voice flooded the room. "Come on, lazybones! Get up!"
Opal cracked one eye open, her vision blurry as she looked up to see her mother standing at the foot of her bed, her blue eyes sparkling, her golden hair perfectly in place. "Mom... it's too early..."
Lila's lips curved into a mischievous smile. "It's almost ten, sleepyhead. And someone's here to see you." Her eyes gleamed, her voice dropping to a playful whisper. "Someone who wants to take you out to breakfast."
