Riley Hourihan
Steier
English 5/6
10/9/15
A Teenage Sanctuary

Upon entry, the surrounding cheery lilac walls bombard the guest. The refreshing chill of a constantly running over-head fan fills the room so strongly, goose bumps decorate the skin of the visitor. Light easily passes through the cream blinds covered in intricate designs of purple hydrangeas, making the usage of the abundant electrical lights unnecessary. To the right an immense dresser stands tall doing its best to keep the purple from creeping out behind it. Each of its drawers are precisely closed. When opened each drawer holds neatly folded and divided clothing of all kinds. On the surface rests a plethora of fresh scents that permeate the room. They are all in assembled into height order next to an antique jewelry box that seems to have many stories to tell. Directly above the dresser rests a mirror so large, it possesses the capability to reflect half of room and its entirety. Each and every of the four walls is thoughtfully decorated with framed original artwork. On the south wall a freshly dressed queen mattress disrupts the vast open space between the deep brown wooden floors and crisp white trim of the walls. One’s eyes are drawn to the vibrant blues and mysterious purples that dance across the bedding. Two absurdly large pillows lean against the headboard wearing the corresponding design, tying it all together in perfect unison.

Across what seems to be the never ending void between the bed and north wall lives a carefully woven rug. It contains all different hues of purples, blues, and pinks. On the left side of the bed lies an exact replica but to a smaller scale. The circular rug disrupts the sea of coffee-colored flooring. Below the larger of the two windows in the room sits a rectangular basket holding the multiple fuzzy blankets. Adjacent to the basket is a very large white wrap around desk that is broken up into two sections. The section to the left has four cabinets beneath it. Each of the cabinets has three shelves within it pertaining to one individual purpose. The first shelf contains a colorful assortment of construction paper of all shapes and sizes, useful for the many projects to be assigned during the agonizing school year. The one below it holds the largest variety of art supplies one could possibly own. There are boxes of oily cray-pas, containers of markers from every color in the spectrum, as well as an substantial amount of grade A colored pencils and bright pallets of both watercolor and acrylic paints that are all ready to be used. On the last shelf there are multiple boxes of entertaining board games to help get people together to endure a tough storm or power outage. In the other section a sturdy chair on wheels longs for someone to sit on it. To the left of the chair a silver, magnetic pin board is covered in Van Gogh magnets as well as a sleep away camp photo collection that grows as the years go on. In front of the chair shines a light up, blue cosmetic mirror and a makeup organizer. Next to the mirror are two tiny baskets screwed into the wall holding pencils, post-its, and flash cards. A state of the art pencil sharpener always stays close by ready for assistance.

Above the large desk is a sizeable collection of shelves that is too big for any person to properly utilize. The largest shelf serves purpose as a showcase for athletic achievements. Towering trophies stand so tall; in the middle of the night the moon’s luminescence casts a silhouette. The miniscule athletes on the trophies are caught in the act of either swimming, shooting a basketball, or kicking a soccer ball. Medals of high honors are strung along the wall reflecting all the effort invested in that particular sport. In two corners rest two game soccer balls awarded to the person for achieving the title of MVP on multiple occasions. A sense of pride accommodates the owner’s face when inquired about them. After doing a full circle of the room, one exits. The arctic-like chill lingers. The aroma of blossoms is fresh in their mind as well as a new understanding as to why someone would spend as much time as they do in there. For this is truly a teenage sanctuary.