Of Two Minds - Chapter 1

Almost every day started off the same for Aiden Gregory. He would awaken at 5:00 AM, regardless of how the weather was, and follow the same routine. The routine that he always followed from the month of September straight on through to June. It didn't matter if it was raining cats and dogs, if it was dry and hot as hell, or as cold as the heart of a bitter, scornful woman, he would rise. The only exception was frozen roads, heavy snow, and holidays.

He would awaken, gently turn his alarm clock off, pass the sleep through his system with a sigh, and then do and intense work-out for thirty minutes. Afterward, he would go to the bathroom, shower and shave what hair had grown on his face. He would then have his routine breakfast while he airdryed; two cups of hot chocolate in a thermos and a grilled cheese sandwich. While it wasn't quite the traditional breakfast like oatmeal or toast and eggs and bacon, or something of the like; it satisfied him. After eating and drinking half the contents of his thermos -filled with a beverage far better than coffee- he dressed.

Today he would wear argyle. He liked argyle. He stood at his dresser and pulled on a pair of argyle socks, then his boxers -which would save the precious fluid within his jewels if he ever met that "special someone" and decided to have children- then on came his khaki colored pants and belt. He picked out a deep blue shirt, buttoned it, tucked it in, fastened his belt, pulled his argyle sweater vest on and laced his shoes. Next he returned to the bathroom, shaped his thick wavy hair, brushed his teeth and reminded himself that he was handsome, regardless of what other people thought.

And it was true indeed. He was about 6'3" with black wavy hair, blue eyes, straight teeth, a well toned body, and skin the color of coffee with far too much cream. His looks were credited to his Latino mother and Caucasian father. His personality could be deemed more attractive than his physical appearance, but for those who didn't have the opportunity to see his personality, his looks were quite pleasing to the eyes. One might then question why he needed to tell himself that he was handsome. It was nothing more than habit. A "practice what you preach" as-it-were. He was constantly boosting the esteem of others, so it was only natural for him to do it to himself as well.

After assuring himself that he was handsome, he made his way out the front door to his 2007 Ford Mustang, with his thermos and whatever paper work he had carried home with him in hand. He then took the 30 minute drive to Lakeland High School, whereupon entering, he stopped at the main office to collect his mail, say good morning to whoever was there and then settled behind his desk in his own private space.

Throughout the duration of the day, a handful of students would either willingly come to his office or would be sent their by their teachers. He would converse, have lunch, work some more, and then finally head home. That was his routine. Not the routine of his life, but the routine of his work, nonetheless.