Guardian Angel

Chapter 1

I'm not awake, I just want to go back to sleep, I tell myself. Of course, this doesn't work. I pry my eyes open just enough to see the clock on my bedside table. Seven twenty one, I sigh and close my eyes again. I have to get up at seven thirty, but I don't have enough time to go back to sleep. I spend another minute under the warm comforter before I push myself up. I climb out of bed and start my daily routine. That last couple weeks have been a nice break which makes this morning even harder. I try to feel my way to the light switch without stepping on anything, but fail. I think that's just my sweatshirt from yesterday that I feel below my toes. The lights blind me the instant they're turned on. My eyes re-adjust slowly as I fumble my way next door to the bathroom.

I'm in the middle of brushing my hair when I hear my alarm go off. I sprint back to the cluttered room jumping over my books and diving onto the bed in my rush to turn it off before everyone in the house is woken up. I really should remember to turn off my alarm. This happens every day, I think as I sit on my bed with my back against the wall.

After a minute or two of staring at the ceiling I slowly get dressed. As I pull on the same white shirt that everyone in my school wears, I yawn. It's the first day back from winter break and it's as dark as midnight outside. Once I'm dressed in the standard eighth grade uniform plus a few tweaks, like the fleece pants under my skirt for the cold weather, I scoop the books back into my tattered backpack and head downstairs.

When passing my parents room there's no noise. Good, I think, my alarm didn't wake them. My older brother is still asleep too. He'll be late to school...again. I roll my eyes at the thought. Downstairs I take the dog out and help myself to a bowl of cereal. I eat slowly flicking through the bad ninety's sitcoms and reruns of last season's reality shows. When the dishes are put away and I can't procrastinate any longer, I call the dog in and head out to the garage. I pull on my boots, throw some shoes into my backpack, and put on my puffy winter jacket. As I sling my bag over my shoulder I hit the button for the garage door.

The sun is now rising, which makes the fresh snow too bright to look at. I squint through the light to see fresh white covering everything. It snowed last night. I take a step, and then pull my foot back into the garage as if the snow had melted into a pool and I was testing the water. Staring at my footprint, I can see the depth: only two or three inches. Not enough for a snow day. I sigh, but the cold air takes my breath before I can give it.

It would have been nice to have a snow day, or at least a late start. Everyone is slow getting up today as to be expected since it is the day after a holiday.

I really shouldn't delay any longer, so I trudge through the snow towards the bus stop. Halfway there, my nose is red and frozen. A week ago I could've been Rudolph. Lucy, the kindergartener who lives around the corner, is already waiting. I wave to her mom as she watches through their front window fighting with the Christmas tree that has made its home there for the last month or so. I ask Lucy what Santa brought her and only half listen to her reply.

The cheerful girl bounces with her curls as she describes her new bike. She's really pretty, although it's hard to see her green eyes below her hat and her cheeks are too flushed due to the freezing temperature.

A few minutes later the bright yellow bus rolls cautiously down the road. The brakes squeak as it comes to a stop in front of us. Lucy runs on first, saying 'hi' to the bus driver. "Good morning," I tell him out of habit, not that there is anything particularly good about this morning.

It's cloudy and cold out, and everyone seems to be half asleep. The bus is nearly empty and silent besides the roar of the engine. I take my seat in the back, perks of being an eighth grader, and settle in for the long ride.

I've been the third stop for as long as I can remember, so I'm used to a forty five minute trip to school. I don't really mind it. I zone out for most of the ride, staring past the window at the winter wonderland. Now that Christmas is over, I'm ready for the snow to melt and the sun to shine. I think almost everyone feels that way, especially the bundled up kids waiting patiently for the bus.

Most stops are empty, so we just barrel past them. No one from my grade gets on the bus, so I continue looking out the window, not really paying attention to anything, but then I'm jolted back into reality.

First, there's no noise besides the screeching tires, but then there's screaming that matches the high pitch of the brakes. I don't know if I'm screaming, but someone is. It all stops in an instant with one final clunk. My arms flail to catch myself as the world tumbles. All I feel is my head hitting the window and then everything stops.

Updated Jan. 12, 2016

Full Copyright 2013