The Bear

The Commute

Darlene wiped the condensation off the bus window and looked out in the dark. She saw a bunch of blurry trees as the bus drove along. Starting to get sick, she closed her eyes, layed against the window and slept for awhile.

She awoke to Alana, her little sister, sitting by her. She was doing homework. She also had a sharp pain in the back of her tooth. The day before, Darlene had gotten bigger wires and bands on her braces. She hated the bands because they pulled up on her back teeth, causing excruciating pain.

She snapped the bands out and let out a sigh of relief. She repeatedly pressed on her back teeth until the pain went away. The bus was parked at the elementary school now, waiting for all other busses to arrive.

Darlene looked out at all the cars in the parking lot corresponding with her bus. She spotted one of her former teachers pregnant. Again? That's her fourth child! She needs to keep her legs closed.. She thought to herself.

She walked off her home bus and into the cold October air. Her breath making small, whispy clouds as she walked to her transfer bus. It was fall now, and the colors were beginning to change. She climbed onto the warm transfer bus. Soon, it would be winter.

Darlene went to the very back and curled in a ball. It was 24 degrees and she was only wearing a thin hoodie and leggings, Not the warmest attire for a 13 year old weighing no more than 100 pounds.

She thought about how hungry she was. She hoped they were having sausage biscuits at school. That's her favorite breakfast. The bus eased along to a traffic light. Screeching to a stop next to the other transfer, she saw the blurry face of some high school kids and the outline of a middle finger. Sooo immature.. she thought. At least she was raised better than that.

She anxiously waited to get off the bus. Her stomach was hurting her and she needed food. The bus waited at the red light and she got angry. She wished they would hurry. She wished that they would just move.

The bus was pulling into school. Darlene quickly pulled on her backpack and readily waited for the bus to open its doors. She was in the rear of the bus so it would take a while. Oh hurry hurry hurry! I'm hungry! She urged. She impatiently stomped her feet as she waited.

Finally, she got to get off. She trotted in the doors and took a right; she was headed to the breakfast cart. She caught up with Alana in line and together, they looked at all the pictures of kids on the wall. Other kids pointed and laughed.

Dang. They have chicken biscuits instead of sausage; Bummer. She reluctantly took a pack of chocolate donuts and an apple juice. As she left, she snuck out another juice.

If anyone knew anything about Darlene, it was that Kobe was the highlight of her day. Darlene rushed to homeroom and thought about Kobe. Strangely, no one really liked Kobe. Maybe it was his erratic behavior and massive amount of energy. To Darlene, that is what she liked. It seemed therapeutic to her. His positive energy always made her happy.