How Far We've Come

Chapter 3

The bus ride was more fun than my school bus ride, in that people actually talked. The only thing that puzzled me was that boys and girls were not allowed to sit next to each other.

"Why," I asked. We could sit next to each other on the normal bus.

Mr. Cardinal tilted his head to the side. "Just asked this year's sophomores."

I decided not to. The other rule that was slightly annoying, but I could understand was that we weren't allowed to use our phones on the bus. So, rather than listening to music and looking out the window, we were forced to talk to each other.

Surprisingly, it was fun. We talked about school, sports, even books, and though I hate to admit it, we even gossiped. Just a little. After a while, someone got the genius idea to play Charades. Just for that, the teachers let us use our phones and we were off.

The game was simple. Place the phone on your head, and everyone had to help you guess what the word on the phone was. We played for so long I lost count of the time. And before I knew it, we were there.

When we got there, we left our bags on the bus. Mr. Marvin assured us that Mr. Cardinal would safely drive them to the campsite. Then, he asked us to pull out our journals.

"This is your first Global Field Trip," Mr. Gandalf started. "You will remember it for the rest of your life."

I didn't doubt that.

"So, I want you to write a letter to yourself. Your 12th grade self. What do you want to tell him/her? What do you want to ask? Pick a quiet spot, at least five feet away from any other person and begin writing. You will have thirty minutes."

I pulled out my journal and walked over to a large boulder under a shady tree. Sitting on the boulder, I began writing.

Dear Future Anasika,

So, I guess you're 17 or 18 now. Jeez. How's Global? I'm excited to hike. Are you still interested in becoming an astrophysicist? I hope so. I know 14 seems really little right now, but I feel older now that I am on my first overnight field trip. As for my goals... hmm... I want to get above 2000 on the SAT. I want to apply to an Ivy League school. I want to get into an out-of-state college. I want to have fun in Global. I hope you have done all this by now. If not, it's okay. Am I still taking piano class? Do I play any sports? How is Arvin? He's a freshman now, I think. Or an 8th grader. I don't know. Are you friends with Lina, Clary, and Jessica? I hope so. They're by best friends for this trip. I have so much to ask you! It's crazy that you're graduating soon. I mean, I just came into high school! Are you going to prom with anyone? Just wondering. Is Arvin taller than you now? Do you remember the Percy Jackson series? Do you still like Minecraft? There is so much I could ask you, but my pencil is running out. I love you so much! Rock on!

Love,

Anasika Grandle

Grade 9

Sighing, I put my pencil down and closed my eyes. What would I be like in 12th grade? Would I be different? Every year, I felt like I was growing up more and more, faster and faster. It scared me, but also made me excited. My thoughts were interrupted when Mr. Marvin whistled and pointed to the woods, signaling us to get going. Grabbing our backpacks, we began hiking.

The woods were beautiful. Tall, colorful trees loomed over us in the crisp, cool air. Chatter echoed softly down the hard-packed dirt trail. Birds chirped as my hiking boots crunched against the brown leaves. I was barely able to look up, keeping my eyes on the trail to avoid tripping over some rocks or a tree root. After crossing a bridge that took us over the glittery blue water shining in the afternoon sun, the group came to a halt.