A quiet Sunday evening

Despite having one more pill on hand, I decide to not use it. I wouldn't be able to take much advantage of it this late in the day, and besides, I should probably keep it for my visit with Brad tomorrow. Instead, I use my time to continue doing research and gathering information about my studies and business plans. It's significantly slower without the nootropic, but I make some progress. I learn about colleges that allow you to take exams to receive credit for classes, and I realize I might be able to obtain my degree after all. At the current rate, I should be able to blitz through the remainder of my degree and pass the related exams in only a few weeks.

Beyond that, I learn about monetizing software, software as a service, and scalable business models in cloud computing. I've been focusing primarily on computer science so far, but the things I read about plant the seeds of future growth for when I am able to better think them through.

I try to use my time as efficiently as possible, but sometime around ten I run out of things that I can look at. I know I could do more studying or programming, but it seems pointless right now when I know how much more efficiently I can do it on the pill. Instead, I decide to take a break and rest. It never occurs to me to log onto a video game, something that I would have wasted my evening on even a day or two ago.

I walk out of my bedroom to find Ashley and Kelly's doors are both shut. Mom's is ajar, and I use my extensive sneaking skills (none) to peek inside. I see she is already asleep, already changed into her night gown, and passed out on top of her covers with a disheveled book beside her. I close her door so I don't disturb her and head downstairs to grab some water. A few minutes later, I'm in my bed and drifting away into the void.