Scary Stories

You're fine. You're walking to school and everything is fine. This morning was scary, but you are fine. Everything is great actually. That bus was startling, the way it swerved towards you, lights flaring in the early morning, horn blaring like all hell came out but you jumped out of the way. Good thing you jumped out of the way.

You feel a bit isolated, you wish you had a friend to walk to school with. Your friend is at school, silly. What was their name? You realize something as you ponder this. The scents aren't as bright as they should be, though it is winter-frost choking out all else. That's it. You're fine.

Where did your jacket go? Weren’t you just wearing it? Maybe you forgot it. That's it. Your boots crunch along on your way, the idea of a six hour school day seems daunting. But skipping school? No. You're still in your innocent phase. Maybe when you're 15. Where on earth did your jacket go?? It’s winter. It’s a cold winter.

You should go back home to get it. It’s cold. But you're not cold. Yes you are. That seems right. It's cold. You're cold. Go back home. No you can't skip school. No. Maybe when you're 15.

That sounds right. 15 is a good year. You walk past red lights realizing them after you long past them. The wind blows past you, seeming intent in crushing your frail form in its embrace. Frail. Why would you say that? You aren't frail.

You are fine.

You are great.

Everything is great.

Oh. You're lying to yourself again. You run back, wind brushing your hair. The wind is not blowing hard any more. It won. Does that mean you lost? You run back, it's ok, you tell yourself. You're 15. This is allowed. You stop in front of the street.

The screeching tires of the school bus. The headlights cut through the snow. The same snow that falls around you. Is it the same snow? 

The driver yelled. He yelled so loud. He’s yelling so much. Is this happening?

Oh. Look. It’s your coat in the street, covered in snow. You walk out into the street to grab it. Good thing too, you thought you had lost it. How lucky are you?