Clockwork

Chapter 1- The Bus Ride There

I looked out of the window, thinking the scenery was nice, although it had been getting a little too familiar. We had been travelling on this bus for quite some time. Our history teacher, Mr. Barnes, had planned for our entire class to go to the old museum. Mrs. Millers class is also joining us.

Apparently we'd be some of the last people to see the old museum, before they move everything to the new one that would be closer to town, which was being built this year.

I decided that I'd go and rest for a while, but it would be hard seeing as I was on a bus full of rowdy kids. Although its not like that is unexpected. As I was about to drift off, I felt something hit my foot. It appeared to be a blue metal water bottle, I picked it up, knowing who it belonged to. Tapping the shoulder that was next to me, I mumbled out a "here". Hoping that would have gotten the girls attention, who had sitting next to me. She whipped her head at the sudden contact, greeting me with a smile.

"What's up Charlotte?" The girl said, her light brown hair held back with a blue headband stationed nicely. I looked towards the bottle that was in my hand. "It dropped out of your backpack, Whitney" I mumbled once again.  "Sorry about that! Thank you!" She grabbed it out of my hand and placed it back in her back pack. I just nodded at her, signaling that it was okay.

Once the interaction was over, I felt the bus come to a complete stop. I noticed Mr. Barnes stand up, hushing the students. "Alright, we have made it. Once you all go outside, I will call out your names and you will meet up with your assigned groups" He said with a smile, ushering us outside. I grabbed my bag, waiting for the other kids to leave, I was near the back because I was dragged along by Whitney. She was pretty popular, friends with everyone and she has good fashion taste. I didn't understand why she would hang out with me, I was introverted and barely talked. Though she took a liking to me, apparently 'I was so cool and am like a main character'. We're complete opposites but she's my bestfriend and honestly I couldn't have it any other way.

Finally stepping off the bus, I waited outside for Whitney. When she finally came out, I gave a small wave, for her to find me. Jumping off and running towards me grabbing me into a tight hug. "I'm so excited for this! How about you?" she gleamed with excitement, letting me go. I wiped myself off, I wasn't a big fan of human interaction. 

"Hmm, I wonder who we'll get paired up with" she said aloud. That's right, I started to feel slightly uneasy. I was shy around people, the only person I could really talk to was a few teachers, my family and Whitney. I grimaced at the idea of cooperating and talking to people.

 There were forty-two students combining both classes. I wonder how many groups there would be, hopefully a small ones.

"All right, when you get called up we will give you a coloured band and you will join the people with the same colour" Mrs. Miller spoke with a cheery voice. "There will be six groups of seven, make sure to work together and write down all the things you find" Mr. Barnes piped up. Fined? What did he mean by that? 

"That's right, once you come up, we will be handing out sheets of paper for a scavenger hunt!" Mrs. Miller said, multiple groans and other discomforting noises could be heard amongst the students. I deadpanned at the thought, my usual poker face becoming more expressionless, if that was even possible.

They began calling peoples names, kids stepped up and retrieved their papers and bands. The process went by fast, seeing as there weren't many of us left. I stopped thinking once I heard my name get called out. "Charlotte" Mr. Barnes smiled at me. I walked up gripping the straps of my backpack. Once I got up, he spoke again. "You'll do great, you're one of my top students, make sure to keep them in check" He laughed reassuring me. I stared at him with my cold eyes, mumbling out "okay yeah, whatever".