Extraordinary

Chapter 38: The Bus

I wake up to the sound of the bell. Couldn't the nurse have woken me up ahead of time? Now I'll miss my bus.

I jump up, feeling a lot better, since I must have slept for most of the school day. Of course, the nurse is talking on her phone in the back room, so that's why she didn't send me back to class earlier. But I'm not complaining, don't get me wrong.

I yell "Goodbye! Have a nice day!" and run out into the hallway, navigating my way to my locker. I quickly put in my combo, open my locker, stuff everything I can into my bag, and rush off to the bus. It leaves at 3:05, and my watch reads 3:03. Hurry, Aurora! I think to myself.

I'm on the other side of the building, and it's 3:04. I'm not going to get there in time, even by running.

Could I use my powers?

One side of me says, "Sure, Aurora! Go ahead! You don't want to walk home, do you?"

I approve of this idea and start picturing the front lawn in my head until suddenly the other side of me stops me.

"Don't do it! What if you're seen?"

Fine, I say to myself. 

Okay, this is really odd. I'm talking to myself now.

I duck into an empty classroom, then envision the front lawn. Now everyone's happy.

I get the pushing sensation in the small of my back, and then I appear on the front lawn.

Everyone is too busy talking and playing to notice. Great! I glance at my watch, which reads 3:05. Hurry!!!

I race down to my bus, #23, and jump on just as the driver is about to pull out.

"Whoa!" he says. "Aurora, you scared the wits outta me!"

"Sorry, Kevin," I say, grinning. Yes!! I made it!!

I make my way to the back of the bus, with kids either sitting alone, staring into space or screaming at each other. No one notices me pass by.

Once I get to the back, I hear a horribly familiar voice. Seriously? Does she have to be here?

"Hey, Aurora. Have you come back here to sit with us? Sorry to say, but you weren't invited." Clarissa sneers. Her friends, sitting beside her, all laugh.

"Shut up, Clarissa," I growl. "Just leave me alone."

How can my day get any worse?

"Aww. She asked us to leave her alone. You hear that, girls? But are we gonna?" Clarisse says mockingly, and all her friends shake their heads. "She'll have to ask nicely."

"I don't have to do anything for you, Clarissa," I say. Then, a smirk creeps up my face as I remember a certain day.

"How was last Wednesday for you? I heard a certain ghost has been haunting you. Are you okay? I know I would have been horrified." My voice was dripping with sarcasm.

Clarissa turns as white as a sheet, frozen with shock.

"How... how do you..." she stutters.

"How do I know? Oh, a little birdy told me. I'm sure your friends know about this, though. They will be great supporters in this scary time." I say, smirking. Her friends obviously don't know, because they look surprised, too.

"Just... just get away from me, you creep. I bet... I bet you're friends with the ghost, or something." Clarisse says, trembling.

"Yeah, right. And Aurora is the ghost. BOO!" one of her friends says scarcastically, who receives a glare from her leader and promptly stops talking.