The morning sun streamed through the sheer curtains of Zara's small but cozy apartment. The soft hum of the city outside mixed with the faint sound of birds chirping, signaling the start of another day. Zara stretched lazily in her bed, groaning as she reached for her phone to check the time.
"Oh, shoot!" she gasped, bolting upright when she realized she had overslept by ten minutes. She swung her legs over the edge of the bed, rushing through her morning routine. Her long brown hair was still damp from a quick shower as she hastily pulled it into a ponytail.
With a half-eaten piece of toast hanging from her mouth, she threw on a simple white blouse and a beige skirt, her usual attire for work. Grabbing her bag, she hurried out of her apartment and down the stairs. The kindergarten where she taught was only a short walk away, but she still needed to be there early to prepare for the day's lessons.
