Bear Child (Book 1)

Chapter 8

     8. Trying To Keep a Secret

          I was scattering back and forth across my room, getting everything I needed for school. I finally got everything ready, and grabbed my backpack. Thank God that they did not leave any homework on the first day of school. I was wearing some gray skinny jeans, some black and white converse with a lime green shirt and a black and blue striped hooded sweater. My hair was in a lose pony tail with a green rubber band, since I had no time to actually brush my hair.

          I grabbed my backpack and came running down the stairs. "C'mon, Ben! We've got to go or I'm going to be late!" I said. He turned around calmly and said "Teenagers these days. They're always in such a rush. Come on, Clair. You haven't even had a quick breakfast yet. Eat a bowl of cereal, make some toast."

          "Okay, fine." I said, running to the fridge and getting out the milk. I ran to the cupboard and grabbed a bowl and the Cheerios. Pouring the cereal into the bowl, I told Ben "Why do I have to eat, anyways? If I'm late, I blame you, Ben." He laughed. "What?" I said with a mouth full of Cheerios. I finished them in about 2 or 3 minutes.

          "Clair," Ben said, "I'm afraid that I can't take you to school today. It was Dave's turn to open up the store yesterday and so it's my turn today. Do you think you can take the bus? Or you can take my bike if you want." I sighed in annoyance. "It's okay; I'll take the stupid bus." I said. "Where's the bus stop that will take me there?"

          "It's the same bus stop that got you home yesterday. Just get off at the second stop like before. It'll be here at 7:05. You can make it if you hurry."

          "Alright, then. See you tonight." I said as I ran out the door. Then I stopped and turned around briefly. "Ben?" I told him.  "I seriously need to get my driver's license. I thought that here in Alaska, you could get your license at 16. Promise me that I'll be able to get a license soon so I can drive to school." Before he could reply, I ran off.

          I ran as fast as I could to the bus stop on Wicker Road. It was 7:03 already. I made it there in the same minute I ran out the door. (I told you I was fast.) However, maybe it was because it was only like a block away. As soon as I got to the bus stop, I sat on the bench. Checking the black sports watch on my right wrist, it just changed to 7:04. "Ugh, I'm going to be late!" I said, frustrated. I started to bounce my knee to try and calm myself down. School started at 7:15!

          I finally hear the bus's engine roaring. It pulled into the stop. I got in and paid the fine of 30 cents, taking my seat in the back row by the window. I didn't want to go to school. I wanted to go out and find that bear. I didn't know why, though. Maybe it's because of my dream? Something was drawing me to him. Like a magnet. "This is so out of my league." I moaned.

          After about 10 minutes later, I finally got to Everest Street. Thanks to morning traffic, I had to run all the way down Jackson Lane and down the street, barely making it to school on time. Just as I got on the school grounds, the bell rang for school to start. "Man," I panted. "It's a good thing I wore sneakers today or I would have been screwed."

          I walked into the building, heading towards the auditorium. Amazingly, my school didn’t have homeroom. So everyone had to go into the auditorium for 10 minutes for the announcements. On my way, I met up with Alex and Sonia.

          “Hey, Clair!” Sonia said excitedly. I turned around. “Oh. Hey, guys.” I greeted. Sonia was wearing a red long sleeve shirt with a brown winter vest and some dark blue jeans with some moccasins. Alex, however, was wearing an orange sweater, some pale jeans, and some black snow boots. “You seem pretty down. What’s wrong?” Alex asked. “And what happened to your wrist?” My heart began to race as soon as he asked the second question. I didn’t want to tell them what really happened. They both knew Ben, so if they found out, they might tell him!