Wing Beats

Chapter 1: It's Raining, It's Pouring

Chapter 1: It's Raining, It's Pouring

                Rain tapping on my window was the sound I woke to.  I groaned and glanced at the clock, it was 6:04 in the morning.  I threw back the covers and shivered, then rolled over to grab a sweater off the floor.  I got up and peered out the window.  Dreary gray clouds covered the sky and the sun was nowhere to be seen.  Cars passed and people in raincoats holding umbrellas hurried down the street.   I wish I didn't have to go to school in this weather, I thought to myself, I could stay here and just sleep all day.   

My stomach grumbled and I sighed, then made my way down the stairs and into the kitchen.  I got out a slice of bread and popped it into the toaster.  Bella, the family dog, trotted over to greet me, tail wagging. "Morning Bells" I mumbled, not completely awake yet.  She scampered after me as I went back up stairs to get dressed.  While Bella made herself comfortable in my bed, I threw on a pair of jeans and a plain orange T-shirt.  Bella soon got bored and left, probably to wake up Mom, while I pinned back my bangs and regarded myself in the mirror.  My long dark brown hair seemed boring and my skin was pale in comparison.  I frowned at the dark circles under my eyes, a result of many sleepless nights.  Lately I've been feeling like an insomniac, unable to sleep for hours, just lying in my bed, staring at the ceiling.  But while I wait for sleep to come I feel as though I'm waiting for something to happen, I just wish I knew what.  I shook my head banishing all thoughts of the previous nights.   I plastered a smile onto my face and grabbed my backpack off my bed.

 I walked into the kitchen and found Mom sitting at the table with a steaming mug of tea. My toast, already buttered, sat in front of the empty spot next her.  "Thanks Mom" I said as I slid into my chair.  She looked up and smiled.  But her expression told me that she could see right through my fake cheerfulness.

                "No problem honey" she replied as I began scarfing down toast.  When I finished I put my plate in the sink and blew a kiss to Mom as I ran out the front door.  I pulled on my jacket and threw the hood over my head as I walked across the lawn, towards the bus stop.  At the corner I stood as the rain pounded against the asphalt.  The bus turned the corner and the brakes whined in protest as it came to a slow stop, sending a spray of mucky water onto my, now soaking wet, shoes.  I groaned in frustration and hurried onto the bus.  I made my way towards the back and spotted my best friend Ella waving at me.  I sat down next to her and brushed the water from my brow.

                "Oh wow, you're soaked," exclaimed Ella, as she tried to suppress her laughter.

                "I know, perfect start to my day" I replied sarcastically.   

                "Yeah, I hate the rain," Ella muttered as she stared gloomily out the window.  She looked over at me and suddenly her face became concerned.  "You look really tired, are you okay?" she asked and I forced a smile.

                "I'm fine," I answered.

                "Ange, you're a horrible liar,"

                I frowned and gazed out the window.  I didn't exactly feel like sharing about my strange sleeping habits at the moment, "It's nothing."

                "You're so stubborn,"

                "Am not," I snapped.

                Ella stuck her tongue out at me and I couldn't help but laugh.

                Suddenly the bus came to an abrupt stop, and my forehead hit the seat in front of me.  I sat up rubbing my forehead.  "What was that?" I asked peering over the seats to get a better look.  The Bus doors opened and a boy I'd never seen before got on and sat down in the seat across from me and Ella.  "Have you ever seen him before?" I whispered to Ella.  She shook her head in reply.  I looked over at him.  He had short dark hair and intense green eyes that made him seem intimidating.  His expression was one of curiosity and anxiety that he wasn't doing a good job of hiding.  He wore jeans, a black jacket and a small, gold pair of wings hung from a chain around his neck.  He looked up and noticed me staring at it.  He quickly tucked it inside his jacket and looked at me curiously.  I turned away blushing, making Ella giggle.  "Stop it," I whined, but her laughter was infectious. 

                Before I knew it the bus had completed its route and we were parked outside the school.  I pulled up my hood and stepped outside.  The rain had lessened but still showed no signs of stopping and I sighed as I hurried up the cement walkway leading up to North Branch High School.

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  So this is my first peice of writing I have ever posted online. Read, Comment, Vote, Live, Love, and Laugh.  Thanks for reading @_@