Beyond the Gate

Too Early

     I watch the raindrops race down the cold, steamy, bus window. The coolness seeps into my scalp as I rest it against the window, letting out a long sigh. It's only 6:30 in the morning and I'm already awake and on the school bus, it's absolutely to early. I can't even see outside, I can only make out the silhouette of passing objects. The screaming of my classmates reverberate off the bus walls and attack me as they return, giving me a nasty headache. I fight to keep my eyelids open, trying to focus on the raindrops, it's a battle I'm losing. They start to fall, but this time I don't have the energy to reopen them. Only moments after I slip into darkness I'm jerked back to reality.  A piece of paper hits the back of my head, and quickly falls to the ground. I reach down searching the ground for the crumpled paper. I find it and unravel it to find a poorly drawn picture of a tree, fun. I get a little agitated, I opened my eyes for this? It must've hit me on accident. It is kind of funny though. I decide to keep it and tuck it in my bag, then proceeding to rest my head back on the window, soaking in the cold. I drift off, allowing the constant noise to fizzle out, and drift off into sleep. I jump awake, and the whole bus has transformed. Light is streaming through the windows, and most of my peers have quieted down and are no longe rat each other's throat. I notice where we are, the academy is only a few blocks away. The city is teeming with life, people bustling through the streets. We pass the markets, exploding with color, and the skyscrapers, seemingly touching the sky. A high pitched squeal jerks me back to the bus. The academy sits on the opposite side of the bus, grand and red as always, towering over the street. Everyone starts to rustle, grabbing their bags and preparing their masks. I pull out my plain, city issued mask, and slip it over my whole face, letting it seal itself over the contours of my face. It makes a hissing sound as it settles into place. I take a deep breath of the pure unfiltered air, allowing my lungs to indulge themselves. The bus doors squeal open, and the students in front of me file out, chattering among themselves. My turn comes and I follow the long line of children onto the street. I'm immediately engulfed in the cold November air, and I wish I had brought my jacket. The marble steps leading up to the tall brown doors shine in the sun, blinding me. I check my watch, 7:30, just on time. I dread having to start my day,  but the faster I start it, the sooner I can end it. I follow the flock through the doors, leading into the wide open hallways of the school. I approach my locker and dump all of my crap there. Only taking what I'll need for class, and the air filter that supplies my air source. While heading to my first class I feel someone's arms wrap around me,

    "Hey Anne," I say in response to the hug I've been given. She giggles, over excited as always. "It's 7:30, could you please stop being so happy?" I tease.

   "Nope, and good morning to you too Pepper," the giddiness in her voice distinguishable. She comes to my side and we walk to mass together, talking about little things.