Today is Sunday. There are no teaching and learning activities as well as extracurricular activities. However, the school organizes cycling activities around the streets that are free to be followed by anyone, including school staff, boarding officers, teachers and students — as long as there are sufficient bicycles. If anyone uses a private bike, that's very welcome.
Cycling activities are hold once a month which is held on Sundays. Generally it is done in the morning but usually in the afternoon it is also carried out for those who don't get it in the morning.
Now half of the students had wake up. Those who will be cycling are preparing to do the activity. After bathing and having breakfast, they gathered in the dormitory lobby to wait for the direction of the teacher on duty.
The occupants of room 157 had a serious conversation.
"So how's it going? You guys on the bike?" Alice ask.
A few days earlier, they had been informed that on the coming Sunday there would be cycling activities. The four of them agreed to follow but as they were about to walk into the lobby, Britney withdrew. She says her leg hurts.
"No. Actually last night I wanted to say it but I thought this morning it wouldn't hurt anymore." said Britney.
"Then why are you still showering and getting ready?" ask Hoover in surprise.
"At first I won't to care about it but I guess I can't."
"Hmm, okay." Hoover sat on the edge of her bed. "Neither am I. It's no fun without Britney."
"Why is that?" Alice asked.
"That's up to me. I told you it wouldn't be fun without Britney. I'd better relax this morning."
Alice approached Britney. "Do I need a massage?"
Britney immediately shook her head. "I just want to be massaged by the experts."
"Oh okay." Alice backed away, embarrassed and slightly annoyed.
"Okay, we have to hurry to the lobby. Bikes are limited and five more minutes will be absent." Jessy stand up, put her backpack over her shoulder and looked at Alice. "Come on!"
Alice grab her bag then with Jessy put on her shoes and went down to the lobby of the girls' dormitory.
"Woah, it's crowded. Do we get a bicycle, huh?" Jessy stand on tiptoe, estimating the number of students who are cycling.
Upon arriving at the lobby, the students started lining up for attendance. The absence is intended so that the school can find out who is join cycling and whether they use the school's bicycle or private property, as well as check their health at a glance.
An idea crossed Alice's mind. "Hey, let's get in line! It's not too late because the line is still a mess."
"Can we? It's so crowded!"
"Try it. Come on!" Alice grabbed Jessy's hand.
She pulled Jessy's hand down the last few stairs and ran to get to the front row. At least in the line that is expected to get the bike.
With a passionate spirit that break through the ranks of several people, they managed to get in the 60s line. When 20 people have been absent, there are 7 people who use private bicycles.
Alice and Jessy jumped for joy because they were about to get their share. For girl students, the school provides about 80 bicycles with the same number of bicycles for boy students.
After being absent, they immediately take the bike out of the parking lot. Alice gets a bicycle with the number 75 and Jessy gets the number 57 which is divided randomly when absent.
Alice raised the bar of bicycle. A smile appeared on her face. It is her first time coming out of the main gate after moving there. Actually, when she was overthinking, several times she wanted to go out but didn't know where to go.
Pushing the bicycle towards the gate, Alice look around happily. The air that morning made her excited and forget about her recent troubles.
Jessy glanced at Alice who is smiling. She nudged her arm while laughing. "You're so excited!"
Alice chuckled. "This is the first time."
"Ah right. You've only been moving here for a month."
Jessy get on the bike. After waiting for a long time, the teacher finally gave a signal that they would be leaving soon. Knowing that, Alice get on the bicycle too. Remembering something, she check the bicycle tires for a while.
"Safe, right?" asked Jessy to which Alice nodded. "Officers checked this morning, so there's no need to worry."
"Really? That's great!" cried Alice in awe.
Jessy happily said, "This is what our school excels at!"
Alice laughed. She stared ahead as several students started pedaling their bicycles out of the gate.
"YUHUUU!! GO JESSY, GO ALICE!"
The shout from the owner of that loud voice startled Alice as well as Jessy. They look for the source of the sound. After seeing Hoover waving at the school's main door, they waved back.
Hoover is with Christie there. In addition to encouraging Alice and Jessy, they also encouraged Clarence who was quite a distance away from Alice and Jessy. She even started riding his bicycle when Hoover and Christie screamed so she didn't hear their screams which were also covered in the screams of others.
Always crowded and noisy when cycling is about to start. The students who did not participate or did not get the bicycle usually witnessed the departure of those who joined the bicycle.
Alice and Jessy started pedaling the bike. They are side by side while following directions.
"You know the way?" Jessy asked.
"No, I don't know."
"Then don't separate."
"Yes."
Jessy glanced at the bag on Alice's back. "What do you bring?"
"Ah that? I bring a lot of food, that's why my bag is big." Alice half laugh.
"Good! Don't forget to share." said Jessy enthusiastically.
"Okay."
They focus on the journey. All of them are divided into six groups. In the front, middle, and back of each group there are several teachers who are supervising. Alice and Jessy are in the fourth group.
After a moment of silence enjoying the ride, Jessy speak. "Alice! Clarence is out front. I'm going after her, are you coming?"
Alice looked thoughtful. She hesitated. Actually she want to just be with Jessy but if Jessy want to follow Clarence, it's better for her to come along.
"Yes." Alice answered at last.
"Come on!" Jessy started to chase Clarence who is in the first row of group four.
Kring kringgg
"Hey! Hey! Step aside!"
"You startled me!" said Clarence irritably. She bring her bicycle closer to Jessy, then hit her a few times.
"Gosh! Gosh! It hurts! Ouch!"
"Don't act too much! If you fall, we are not responsible." reprimand a teacher.
Clarence and Jessy fell silent. After the teacher don't see them anymore, they laugh at each other. Alice laugh in response to them.
Clarence bring the bike closer to Jessy again. "Then if we get a chance, we'll have a race. With Alice too."
Jessy gave a ready thumbs up. She slowed down the bike to talk to Alice who is behind her.
"Clarence wants us to race if we have the chance." she whispered.
Considering the answer, Alice finally nodded. Actually she won't to because she is afraid of being scolded or falling.
At the intersection, some group began to disorganize. Alice do her best not to lose track of Jessy because she has no other friends.
After she caught up with them, she slowed down. She pedaled leisurely. Jessy and Clarence in front of her do the same while talking.
Since then Alice has been quiet, observing the fairly deserted street. Maybe this is used by the school so that cycling can be more calm. After all, the streets around schools and dormitories are not too crowded because they are far from strategic.
Alice wiped the sweat that was starting to trickle down her neck. The sun began to appear. The streets are more filled.
A gentle breeze approaches. Alice closed her eyes for a few seconds to enjoy it. Take a deep breath then smile. Her heart is happy. She was relieved that she didn't choose the wrong boarding school.
She kept looking left and right. There are already several restaurants and eateries open. The tantalizing aroma of the food made the stomachs of the students hungry instantly, so some students whined at the teachers to stop and eating.
The teachers didn't allow it, so the journey continued. They weren't half way there so they weren't allowed.
On the edge of the road there are also green trees and thick leaves. Makes the air cooler and fresher.
Several passersby they passed, smiling friendly. Not a few motorists who witnessed. As they were about to cross, motorists on the street stopped to let them all pass until they were finished. Alice admired that.
Realizing Jessy and Clarence were not in front of her anymore, she panicked. She tiptoed, looking for their whereabouts but could not be found. Looking back, the result is the same.
In the end she didn't look for them anymore. As long as it wasn't separated from the other students and teachers, it calmed her down.
***