Chapter 1: "Awakened"_
The clock chimed 6:30 in Nell's room, startling her awake. "Urghhh!!!" she screamed, disturbed by the sudden interruption to her beautiful dream.
She tossed and turned on the bed, trying to turn off the clock. Just as she managed to silence it and closed her eyes to go back to sleep, her mother's worried voice pierced the air. "Nell, what happened?" Mrs. Lavender asked.
Nell opened her eyes to find her mother's anxious face staring back at her. She recalled her earlier outburst and scratched the back of her head. Getting out of bed, Nell walked over to her mother, who stood frozen, worry and confusion etched on her face.
"I'm fine, Mom," Nell reassured her. However, her mother's skeptical gaze prompted Nell to reveal the truth. "I screamed because the clock rang, interrupting my dream."
Mrs. Lavender's expression remained uncertain, and Nell's frustration boiled over. "Mom!!" she exclaimed. Her mother's face softened, and she smiled. "Okay, I believe you. Now, hurry and get ready for your first day of university."
Nell was taken aback by her mother's rapid change in demeanor. As Mrs. Lavender headed downstairs to prepare breakfast, she called out, "Don't take long to come down, dear."
Nell grumbled to herself as she headed to the bathroom. "My sleep is interrupted, and now I have to deal with school."