HAVEN BLACK - complete

SCHOOL DAY

Chapter 5 – SCHOOL DAY

Jackson Valley, Georgia, United States - Present Day

It was just another boring school day I thought solemnly as I rode to school along the smooth sidewalk which was partially covered with fallen leaves from the autumn trees that lined the road; Fall always brought out the color in my childhood hometown of Jackson Valley.

Taking the same monotonous route Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, riding my bike to school was something I had done for years; The same bike, the same corners, the same uneventful, boring route.

With the brisk Fall air brushing gently across my face, I reduced my speed, took a left bend then pushed my weight down on my pedals picking up the pace again.

Approaching my next turn off, I slowed down again before taking a blind right corner into the next street. A hundred yards later I approached Mrs Weatherly's house where she she was in her front garden pruning her front hedge. Waving and flashing a fake smile, I rode past her quickly eager to avoid any uncomfortable conversation - after all she was a little strange and made me feel more awkward than I already was.

Mrs Weatherly was normally in her front garden ready to wave to me as I rode to school, and come to think of it, she looked as though she hadn't aged a day since I could remember - she had always appeared old. She gently smiled at me from underneath her large green hat and I noticed how the deep long wrinkles on her face curved up around her eyes to reveal a little softness through her otherwise leathery skin. She also wore an ugly cardigan that had a floral pattern on it, even through the hot summer months. Some old people are a little bit adorable I thought amusingly.

Arriving at the school's front car park which buzzed chaotically with some students being dropped off by their parents, and others, typically seniors who sped in their cars hunting around for a park, I remained close to the sidewalk trying to avoid as much of the havoc as possible: just before school started, the front of Jackson Valley High resembled more of a zoo than a high school.

I squeezed on my bike's brake lever and slowed down preparing myself to cross the jungle-like car park. Gazing upon the seniors' cars with envy, I often day-dreamed about driving myself to school... I had my licence, but my Mom's car was used only for the essential runs as we couldn't afford unnecessary trips; the trip to school was one of these... Besides she needed the car during the day and I didn't want to trouble her with dropping me off to school - she had more than enough on her plate to deal with.

Leaning forward, I swung my right leg behind me sending it over the rear wheel and to the other pedal, then as I squeezed on my bike's brakes I cautiously approached the bike stand that was in the middle of a traffic island close to the school's entrance, careful to avoid any cars or foot traffic. Hopping off the bike, I slotted the front wheel into the rack, knelt down and swung my black school bag off my shoulders, placing it on the ground.

The morning sun heated the back of my neck between the bottom of my helmet and the collar of my black band t-shirt. At least it's not raining today, I thought positively as I put my hand into my school bag to grab out the locking chain. Fumbling around for a few seconds, frustration soon took over and I harshly pulled the zips fully open in hope of locating the lock.

"Shit!" I hushed under my breath - the bike lock was not in the backpack.

There was no time to ride back home and get it.

I zipped close the bag and stood up. Trying not to look too worried, I pulled the bike out of the rack and moved it so that it fitted between a cluster other bikes further down, trying to blend it in - safety in numbers right?