My entertainment kingdom

Chapter 3: A New Dawn

After pouring his heart into the song, Asher finally set his pen down and let out a long, contented sigh. He felt a sense of accomplishment wash over him, a feeling he hadn't truly experienced in a long time. The melody still echoed in his mind as he prepared for bed. At 10:30 PM, he let the exhaustion of the day take over, allowing himself to drift off into a peaceful sleep.

He woke up the next morning at 4:30 AM, the gentle buzz of his alarm pulling him from the depths of slumber. He had set the alarm the previous day, motivated by a newfound resolve to take charge of his life in this parallel world. The first item on his agenda? Exercise. He knew he needed to get moving, to shed some of the weight he'd been carrying—not just physically, but emotionally.

After a quick stretch and a glass of water, Asher donned a simple workout outfit and laced up his sneakers. He stepped outside into the crisp morning air, the world still shrouded in the soft glow of dawn. The streets were quiet, the only sounds being the distant chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze.

As he began to jog, he quickly became aware of his body. His belly bounced with every stride, a reminder of the weight he had yet to lose. He felt self-conscious, but pushed the thought aside, focusing instead on the rhythm of his feet hitting the pavement. As he jogged, he tried to take in his surroundings, the unfamiliar landscape of this parallel world that felt both strange and oddly comforting.

He marveled at the quaint houses lining the streets, their colorful facades and well-kept gardens. The early morning light cast a golden hue over everything, making it all seem almost magical. Yet, despite the beauty around him, he couldn't shake the disbelief that still lingered in his mind—that he had been transmigrated into another world. It felt surreal, like a dream from which he would soon awaken.

However, just one minute into his jog, he found himself gasping for breath. The effort surprised him; he hadn't realized how out of shape he had become. With a slight chuckle at his own ambition, he decided to slow down to a brisk walk instead. He continued to observe his surroundings, taking in the sights and sounds of the waking world.

After a while, he noticed a small shop that had just opened, its sign swinging gently in the breeze. Intrigued, he approached, the glass windows inviting him to take a closer look. He peered inside, and his eyes widened at the sight of various musical instruments displayed in the shop.

The first thing that caught his eye was an electric guitar, a stunning violet color that resembled a galaxy swirling with stars. It shimmered in the early morning light, drawing him in like a moth to a flame. Next to it was a sleek keyboard with smooth, black keys that seemed to beckon him to play a melody.

He took a step closer, his heart racing with excitement as he continued to observe the instruments. There were dazzling drum sets with sparkling finishes, a glossy saxophone that looked like it could sing sweet jazz melodies, and even a set of colorful ukuleles hanging on the wall. Each instrument seemed to have its own personality, its own story waiting to be told.

Asher felt a rush of inspiration. The sight of the instruments reminded him of the music he had written the previous night, the song that had poured out of him with so much emotion. He longed to play, to create, to express himself through the melodies that danced in his mind.

He stood there for a moment, lost in thought, the possibilities swirling around him. Maybe he could come back later, perhaps even purchase an instrument if he could save up enough money. The idea filled him with excitement and hope. This world was brimming with potential, and he was determined to seize every opportunity that came his way.

With a final glance at the shop, Asher resumed his walk, reinvigorated by the experience. He felt a newfound sense of purpose swelling within him, a desire to explore and embrace this new life. He jogged a little further, his heart lighter, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

After his invigorating (though somewhat strenuous) exercise, Asher returned home, the rising sun casting long shadows as he walked. He was drenched in sweat; it looked like he'd taken a shower fully clothed. The smell was overwhelming—a disgusting, foul stench that made his stomach churn. He almost threw up right there on the sidewalk.

He rushed inside, the need for a shower paramount. The water felt heavenly against his skin, washing away the grime and the lingering smell of his own sweat. Even in the shower, the sheer size of his belly made it difficult to wash properly; he could barely see his own penis. The experience was both humbling and motivating.

Once clean and refreshed, Asher prepared himself for school. He chose a clean shirt and pants, making an effort to present himself neatly, a stark contrast to his earlier sweaty state. He felt a renewed sense of purpose, a determination to make the most of his day.

He headed to the dining room, ready for breakfast. His mother, Sarah, was quite surprised to see him already dressed and ready for school. She usually had to coax him out of bed.

"Asher, dear! You're up early," she exclaimed, a look of genuine surprise on her face. "What's gotten into you?"

Asher smiled, a genuine smile that reached his eyes. "I decided to start the day with a bit of exercise," he replied. "I figured it would be a good way to start fresh, you know? Clear my head, get energized for the day."

Sarah looked at him, a mixture of surprise and pride in her eyes. "Well, I must say, I'm impressed," she said, a warm smile spreading across her face. "It's good to see you taking initiative." She paused, then added with a touch of concern, "But don't overdo it, okay? You don't want to get injured."

Asher reassured her, promising to pace himself. He explained that he wanted to make a positive change, not only physically but mentally. He felt a newfound sense of purpose, a desire to take control of his life in this new world. He mentioned the conversation with Vanessa, hinting at the emotional impact it had had on him, without going into specifics. He wanted to create positive change in his own life and, perhaps, help bridge the gap between his mother and sister.

Just as they were finishing their conversation and Sarah was preparing breakfast, Vanessa entered the dining room, her eyes still swollen from the previous night's tears. David followed, his hair slightly disheveled, a testament to a rushed morning. The atmosphere was thick with unspoken tension, a silent testament to the lingering effects of their argument.

No one spoke. The only sounds were the clinking of cutlery and the soft rustling of newspapers. The silence pressed down on Asher, a familiar weight from his past life, a pressure he hadn't realized how much he disliked until now. He ate his breakfast quickly, the silence becoming increasingly unbearable. He couldn't bear to sit under the weight of their unspoken words any longer.

As soon as he finished, he stood up abruptly, excusing himself. "I need to get to school," he said, his voice a little sharper than he intended. He didn't wait for a response, simply turning and leaving the dining room, escaping the pressure of the silent morning. He felt a deep sense of relief as he stepped out into the morning light, leaving the unspoken tensions of his family behind him, at least for a while. The day, however, was just beginning, and he knew he had much to face.

Escaping the tense atmosphere of his home, Asher headed towards the bus stop, a familiar sense of relief washing over him as he stepped out into the morning air. The street was bustling with activity; people rushed to work, children chattered on their way to school, and the sounds of the city hummed around him like a familiar lullaby.

He waited at the bus stop for a while, the cool morning breeze a welcome contrast to the stuffy atmosphere of his home. He watched as various buses came and went, each one carrying its own load of passengers, each one heading towards its own destination. Finally, he spotted a bus heading in the direction of his school, and he boarded, finding a seat near the back.

The bus ride was uneventful, a quiet respite from the emotional turmoil of the morning. He gazed out the window, observing the city as it unfolded before him. He noticed small details he hadn't seen before—a street musician playing a lively tune, a group of friends laughing as they walked down the street, a couple holding hands as they crossed the road. It was a simple scene, yet it filled him with a sense of peace.

The bus pulled up to his school, and Asher stepped off, taking in the sight of the building for the first time since his sudden transmigration. Yesterday, his arrival had been so chaotic, so disorienting, that he hadn't had a chance to properly observe his surroundings. Now, as he stood before the school, he took a moment to appreciate its appearance.

It was a large, imposing structure, built of red brick, with tall, arched windows that seemed to gaze out upon the world. Ivy climbed the walls, adding a touch of natural beauty to the otherwise austere building. The school grounds were spacious, with neatly manicured lawns and towering trees that provided shade from the sun. A basketball court lay to one side, its surface worn but still playable. He noticed a group of students playing a lively game, their laughter echoing in the air. The whole scene was a picture of youthful energy and vitality. He felt a pang of longing, a reminder of the carefree days he'd spent in school in his past life.

After observing the school for a few moments, he made his way towards his classroom. It was already 7:50 AM when he arrived, the start of class being at 8:10 AM and ending at 4:50 PM. He wasn't surprised to see that the classroom was already bustling with activity. Students were chatting amongst themselves, some were reviewing their notes, and others were simply enjoying the last few minutes of freedom before the start of class. The air buzzed with a mix of anticipation and nervous energy. He found his seat, taking a moment to gather his thoughts before the day began. The familiar routine of school felt grounding, a welcome contrast to the chaos of the past few days. He was ready to face whatever challenges this new world had in store for him.

As Asher settled into his seat, the melody from the song he'd written the previous night began to surface in his mind. Without realizing it, he started humming the tune softly under his breath, a subconscious act born from the lingering emotions of the song. He was lost in the rhythm, the melody weaving its way through his thoughts, when he felt a tap on his back.

He turned to see a guy sitting behind him. The guy looked like a quintessential emo—black hair, dark eyeliner, and several piercings adorning his ears and nose. A pair of headphones lay on his desk, a clear indication of his musical inclinations. The student seemed engrossed in his own world, but Asher could sense a certain intensity in his gaze.

"What?" Asher asked, a little startled by the sudden interruption.

The emo student, Andrei, looked up, his dark eyes fixed on Asher. "That song you were humming," he said, his voice low and intense. "What is it? I've never heard anything like it before."

Asher blinked, surprised. He hadn't realized anyone had been listening. "Oh," he said, a little flustered. "It's… uh… a song I wrote."

Andrei leaned forward, his interest piqued. "You wrote it? Seriously? It's… amazing. The melody is haunting, the rhythm is captivating. It's… different. It's unlike anything I've ever heard." He paused, his eyes searching Asher's face. "What's it about?"

Asher hesitated for a moment, unsure how to explain the complex emotions woven into the song. "It's… about family," he said finally. "About the complexities of relationships, the unspoken tensions, the silent struggles." He paused, searching for the right words. "It's about the love that binds people together, even when things are difficult. Actually," he continued, a newfound confidence blossoming within him, "I plan to share it with the world. I'm going to upload it to Vitube."

Andrei's eyes widened. "Seriously? That's awesome! You should! It's incredible. It's… real. It has this raw, honest energy that's so captivating." He leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face. "You have a gift, man. Don't waste it."

Asher, emboldened by Andrei's enthusiastic response, continued, "I do want to share it, but I don't have any instruments to record it properly."

Andrei grinned. "No problem! I have a pretty decent setup at home. You can borrow my gear anytime. Seriously, you need to record this. It's too good to keep to yourself." He leaned closer conspiratorially. "We can work on it together, if you want. I can help you with the recording and mixing. Think of the views on Vitube!"

The bell rang, signaling the start of class, cutting short their excited conversation. But the encounter left a lasting impression on Asher. Andrei's genuine enthusiasm, his insightful understanding of the song, and his generous offer had reignited a spark within him—a belief in his own talent, a desire to share his music with the world, and a newfound hope for collaboration. He had found an unexpected ally, an unexpected confidant, in the most unlikely of places. The day had just begun, and already it was shaping up to be far more interesting than he could have ever imagined.