The Choice Series: Book One: The Choice

▪▫▪CHAPTER THREE▪▫▪

"GOOD MORNING, PRESTON MCCARTHY!"

The automated voice was the cause of my little Awakening and I didn't like it one bit. I decided to resist the unshakeable urge to fall back asleep. Jumping up, I got out my school uniform.

My school uniform consisted of a navy blue sweater (the school's seal at the top-right), somewhat fitted black khakis, and black leather dress shoes. I also had to wear a navy blue and burgundy striped tie. In other words I hated it. I guess I'm more of a sweatshirt and jeans type of guy.

I hurried downstairs and I began to prepare my breakfast. It was the usual burnt toast with lots of butter breakfast, but eventually I got used to it.

After I shoved that down my throat, I brushed my teeth, in my usual hazy morning way, and raked a comb through my hair.

As soon as my mother woke up, I had just began to leave. I kissed her on the cheek and slipped out the door.

I trudged to the sharp intersection of Green Lane and Danny Drive, also known as the bus stop. Mary and Annamarie were already there and they greeted me with a curt "hello." I uttered the same words and waited for Zack, my best friend, to arrive.

Soon the bus came and Zack was nowhere to be seen, but I did not find this unusual since he skipped school a lot.

"Hurry up Preston!" yelled the gruff voice of the bus driver.

I hopped onto the bus, the doors sealing me inside.

"Craftsman!" Zack yelled as he bolted out his front door, which was a yard or two away.

Mr. Craftsman, the bus driver, looked up, taken aback that Zack was actually attempting to go to school.

To be honest, I was shocked as well. The rule stated that if the doors to the bus were closed, you were prohibited to take the bus to school. According to fossil fuel conservation and pollution prevention laws, you were only allowed to take the bus to school.

The bus continued on its route to school, but Zack kept running. I watched out the back window and saw Zack actually catching up with the vehicle.

Zack accelerated to a speed that seemed barely human. A foot flew through the air- and I knew it- he had lunged at the bus.

I couldn't look. Instead, I was arranging Zack's funeral plans. Would he like red or yellow tulips?

I managed to catch sight of him through my hands.

He was alive?

He was alive!

Zack have me a thumbs up through the window. I sighed in relief.

"Stop being such a jackass, Zack!" I yelled through the window.