Stand by the Bad

School, Bike ride and The Fest

~ Marlyn ~

On our way to school, the car stopped with a bang sound, I was all shaken up. I was still recovering from it when the driver told me that the car tyre has been punctured and it will take 10-15 minutes to fix it.

Great, I was already running late and now this incident has made sure that I'll be late for school.

"Need some help, neighbor", I heard a familiar voice. I looked up and Sean was there on his bike.

"Uhm, Ahm..... No, it's perfectly fine, Darvin(Driver) is fixing the tyre, everything is under control", I replied.

"I'm sure, he is capable of taking care of this matter, but you will be late for school, let me drop you, I'm also going to the same way". Sean insisted.

I thought about it and realized that there may be a slight chance to reach school on time, so I agreed to Sean's proposal and informed Darvin to pick me up, after the school.

It was my first time ever riding on a motorbike, It was a completely different experience. On the first hand, I was so scared but then I started to enjoy the ride and everything started to look more beautiful. I was exposed to the elements and was able to feel every nuance of weather, temperature, moisture, everything.

I realized that when you travel in a car (which I really love), you are experiencing the world in a protected bubble. It is like watching it from behind the protective screen of a TV glass. On a bike, you are immersed in it. It is a feeling of freedom, you feel the air on your face, your hair wants to fly. The bike ride was pretty amazing, someday I would like to ride the bike on my own, not as a pillion but as a rider.

I came out of my dreams, when Sean, parked the bike in the school parking area, I saw the watch and it was 8:55 am, great we have made it on time.

" Thank you so much, Sean, it was so nice of you to drop me at my school, you have actually saved me from getting late today, now I am in a rush as my class is about to start and I'll see you around". Before Sean could have said anything I rushed towards the class.

I quickly went into the class and took the seat next to Tamara, which was reserved for me. After settling down, I started to think about today's incident that how the car got punctured, how Sean helped me, how awesome that bike ride was.

I was lost in my memories when someone called my name, I saw my maths teacher was calling my name of answer the question written on the board. I went near to the board and observed the question carefully, it was a simple question of algebra, which I have actually practiced during my weekend break, so It was easy. I quickly solved the equation and went back to my seat.

Sometimes, I feel great that I do study in advance, otherwise, I was not paying attention in the class, it was a great saving today. I really need to get these thoughts out of my mind when I'm in school, I cannot afford to lose my grades for anything.

As soon as the class was over, I felt a confused look on Tamara's face as if she wanted to ask so many questions.

"You arrived last minute today, and you were so lost that you even didn't say hello to us, and now when the teacher called your name, you looked like all busted, " She stopped for a minute, gave me a death stare, and asked again, " Come on, spill it, what's going on here,".

I laughed and tried to avoid the topic, but it was Tamara we are talking about, she held my hand and dragged me to the girl's washroom. "Ok can we talk here, are you going to tell me or should I start investigating", she was looking so annoyed and cute that I couldn't control my laugh.

"Ok, ok, I'll tell you everything, ", while I was telling her everything from the starch about Milo, pancakes, bike ride, I could see the expressions on her face were changing.

"That's interesting, so what was the name of the boy", before I could answer her question, someone came looking for her.

"Tamara, Principal Jenna has called for an urgent assembly, let's go to the auditorium". We both started following that girl and found a corner seat for ourselves.

"Hello students, thank you so much for coming to the auditorium on such short notice, " Principle Jenna started talking. "We have been notified by the Art and Culture department of Kentwood town that due to some unforeseen circumstances, the summer fest venue has been changed, and now Kentwood Academy will be hosting the fest."

" I know it is very short notice and the fest starts in the next few days, I guess this is the time to stand up for your school's reputation and show them that we are ready for all the challenges." she continued.

" For more information on the same, I request you to please get in touch with Kiara and her team and they will guide you to their best, All the best, and see you soon." The principal said and left.

We all started to go back to our classes and discussing that what would have happened, that the Arts department has to cancel the current venue and changed it to Kentwood. Tamara and I started walking towards our next class, English.

Rest all periods went by quickly and it was the time for the lunch break. I was sitting with Tamara, then I realized that Taylor is not around today. Oh God, I was so lost in my thoughts that didn't even realize that he has not come to school today.

"Tamara, where is Taylor, I haven't seen him since morning".

" Oh he has a fever, so his parents wanted him to take a rest today," Tamara said in sadden voice.

" Can I come along with you after school to see him," I asked, she nodded her head in agreement and said, " Taylor would be really happy to see you".

"Let's go together in my car, and after that, I'll drop you home as well", Tamara chuckled. "Ok that sounds like a plan, I'll tell Darvin that he can take a rest today".

After school, I was sitting in Tamara's car and was on my way to meet Taylor.