Feathers Of A Bird

Chapter : Eight

(Listen to the music while reading for a better experience!)

The school bus was running at its usual unhurried speed. I could see the Earth moving backwards as the bus rode ahead. I looked at my watch, it was 7 in the morning. Being an insomniac patient, it was difficult for me to stay awake after 1 or 1:30 pm. And our class ended at 2:30, which was not pleasant for me of course.
I let a sigh out and chuckled in my head.
"I wish they would decrease 30 minutes from school time!"

Our school, Pristine High School, was pretty distant from where I lived. And mom and dad were always horrified about letting me walk all by myself to school. So, I had to take the school bus to school every day. I didn't blame them, I also feared the crimes of Liverpool, even though I loved to walk alone in the morning.

The bus stopped at the red light, at one time. Seeing the trees moving back and forth, I got an urge to open the window and breathe in the fresh air. However, the bus driver didn't let us open the windows in winter. He was too scared that we may catch a cold.
We used to call him Mr Batman, as he was a massive fan of Batman, probably a bigger fan than a child! Some younger students called him Fat Tummy Uncle too, because of his big stomach.
I always noticed that the chunky people always had the biggest hearts.
And I was proved right that time too! Mr Batman loved children. He used to work for some NGOs for children in his free time.
Mr Batman was sort of a mysterious person as well. I had been studying in Pristine High for almost 3 years by then, but I never knew his name.

The bus started running again. Our school was only 5 minutes away now.
I took my bag in my lap, waiting to go out. That's when I heard Mr Batman speaking from the microphone.
"Children, get ready, we're almost there. Do NOT forget anything on the bus, especially not your lunch boxes."

Everyone started laughing. I giggled as I looked out of the window again. All of a sudden, I saw an Eagle, flying all alone in the sky as usual.

"Why Mr Batman?"
Asked Sheila, our class topper, from the first seat.
"Why can't we forget lunch boxes?!"

"For several reasons-"
Mr Batman said, stopping in front of the school gate.
"Number one, all of your moms cook delicious!"

Laughter filled the bus again.

"No problem, Mr Batman, you, of course, can eat our lunches. We all love you so much!"
Said Andrew, who was known as THE MOST handsome boy of Pristine High.

"Haha! Thanks, Andy!"
Chuckled Mr Batman, entering into the school.

I looked out again; didn't see the Eagle this time.

All birds fly in flocks, why don't Eagles do the same?

I heard whispers from the seats behind me.
"Did you hear what our cool, cute, sweetheart Andy said?!"
Girls were all hectic to hear Andrew. Probably most of the girls in our school liked him.

I heard my name suddenly.
"Katherine?"

I looked at my left and saw Clara, the quietest girl in our class.
"Do you not like Andrew?!"
She whispered, being excited.

I felt extremely annoyed. Why and how could someone ask that so straight?
"No, Clara! I don't like Andrew!"
I whispered back angrily.

"Kathy!!"
Julie from the seat right behind me shrieked. Julie was the only person who I was close to in High School.
Tapping my back, Julie asked,
"Who do you like then?!"

Surprisingly, Ryan's face popped up in front of my eyes.

I was shocked to see that happen.
I shook my head instantly and said to Julie,
"I do not like anyone!"

"Ah!"
She made a disappointed face and mumbled,
"I have a feeling that you do!"
She winked at me.

Before I could say anything, I heard Mr Batman's voice again.
"Children, get out of the bus ASAP! I gotta sleep!"

We all laughed again as we started getting up from our seats!

Someone from the front seats said back,
"Why don't you use 'as soon as possible' instead of 'ASAP'?"
I could guess it was Sheila, the good student who always talked formally.

Mr. Batman replied,
"To save time. Now get out!"

Everyone again chuckled, including Sheila.

I looked at Julie,
"You girl! I'll talk to you about this later!"

She just smiled and winked at me.

--------•--------

"Students! Let me introduce a new student in our class!"
Our class teacher, Ms Bailey, announced.

I looked up from the textbook. I didn't hear anything else she said as I was busy flipping the pages of the book, not like I was reading, just flipping. But I looked up when she told us about the new student, already hoping to make friends with them.

And suddenly, my body shivered out of excitement. I felt this heavy feeling in my stomach.
As I stared at the boy standing beside the class teacher, I couldn't help but smile from ear to ear.

"It's Ryan!!"
I uttered.

Ms Bailey looked us, and said,
"His name's Ryan Anderson."
Then she peeked at Ryan and asked,
"Would you like to say something to your new class, Ryan?"

"Sure, ma'am!"
He smiled warmly.

Looking at us, he said,
"Hello to all of you!"
He grinned.
"I'm awfully excited to talk to you guys!"
He, then, pretended to whisper to us,
"Which we can't do right now! Or else we'll get punished! Let's wait till the class is over, shall we!?"

The whole class laughed, including our teacher.
"Class! You've got a friendly, cute friend! Behave well with him!"
She laughed.

"We will, ma'am!"
Everyone shouted, except me. I was busy gazing at him with my hand on my cheek.

"Okay, Ryan! You can take your seat now. It's still the beginning of the year, so you can sit wherever you want."
She announced.

Ryan nodded as he smiled at her.

"Sit wherever your heart desires, Ryan! You won't be able to do that after this month!"
Andrew told as Ryan walked closer to the first bench where he was sitting.

The class laughed again.
Ryan smiled and said to Andrew,
"Got it!'

Then he looked at Ms Bailey.
"Can I sit there, ma'am?"
Ryan asked, pointing at the bench behind me.

That's when I realized that I zoned out. I quickly sat back; saw him looking straight to my eyes.
Without even realising, I smiled.

"Sure!"
Ms Bailey replied.

He walked to the bench.
As he passed me, he grumbled,
"Hey, Cat!"