the sky is blue

_/\_roller coaster of a day_/\_

I could barely contain my feelings anymore.

The end of the year trip came abruptly, reminding us why we were growing up.

This was the last field trip I would take with my group of friends before some of us parted ways for different high schools. 

Having only been to Universal's Islands of Adventure once, my anticipation was at its boiling point the day before.  Losing sleep was inevitable. 

The bus ride would be extremely long.  In fact, the bus ride would take all morning and some of the afternoon.  It would be about eight hours of misery if I wasn't with my favorite people. 

I was not on her bus.  I wished I could be sitting next to her all eight hours, her holding on to me, both of us exhausted from the day.  Taking a ride to the rides. 

I know it seemed like something from a TV show, but going on a field trip with the person you like is only good enough for a dream.

And yet there I was, trying my hardest to live in a dream.

But I was awake as I could be.

•••••••••••

My eyelids slid open, revealing two flashing numbers. 

4:30

Rubbing my eyes, I jumped out of bed.  I had to be at school by five, and the buses would depart shortly after. 

The whole house was dark, but I was as light as a lightbulb. I was excited to embark on a completely new journey, and a journey with my best friends.

I wonder who she is going with.

My answer came when my mom dropped me off that early morning.

"Here, I see them," I said, a slight tremble of excitement or anxiety. Whatever it was, it was quickly building up.

There were so many groups of kids that I thought I would never find my rightful solidarity.

I made out a figure in the dark.

Her girl friends were surrounding her. They all had the happiest tones I've ever heard, but I couldn't join in.

I caught a glimpse of her before Dana and some other girl blocked her from view, like sliding doors shutting her off from me.

I finally found my friends just in time before the guidance counselors starting blowing their obnoxious whistles in our ears.

"EVERYONE START BOARDING! BUS 1 IS LOADING!"

If I wasn't fully awake before, I was now.

•••••••••

Seats quickly ran out on our bus, bus 4, so we resorted to drastic measures.

"Just sit there!" Jason ordered, his tan finger pointing right at a lonely seat towards the back. There was already another random guy sitting back there, but he didn't look too approachable or friendly.

I pleaded with the group but they made up their mind, a unanimous decision for the unanimously least valuable member. 

I trudged back to the seat, behind all my other friends.