Jon drifted awake while his phone alarm started blaring. As he slowly rose into full consciousness, he took a moment to change the alarm tone from a red alert tone from Star Trek to the cliched buzz alarm. He could have sworn he had done this already, because the last time he watched an episode of Star Trek he had been jarred by the feeling that he needed to get ready for school.
He tried to remember the fleeting details of the dream he'd just had. Something like trying to do a job interview covered in mud? Jon struggled to work out some details as he entered the shower.
After 15 minutes of steaming hot water, some scrubbing, and a cascade of empty morning thoughts, Jon turned off the water and reached for his towel. It was slightly out of reach, but Jon briefly thought he might fall, so he stepped all the way out of the shower rather than risk it.
Jon, aware that the stone would be a ridiculous temptation today, chose to leave it at home. He continued getting dressed in black slacks with a yellow polo shirt, scarfed down some cinnamon toast, and limped his way to school. Jon was making good time when a car sped by. Something seemed familiar about the car, but Jon couldn't quite place it. He also felt muddy for some reason. Unfortunately, Jon was distracted by this thought and didn't notice the truck that ran off the road and hit him.
