As class came to an end, Diana and Daniel left the classroom together and made their way through the school gates, heading toward the bus. The gates were bustling with students, all moving with purpose—some hurrying to their buses, others lingering to finish conversations or make plans. The air was charged with the excitement of the day finally being over.
But just as they crossed the gates, Diana felt a sudden, urgent sensation in her stomach. She stopped in her tracks, her expression tensing.
"Are you okay?" Daniel asked, noticing her pause.
"Yeah, I just... I need to go to the bathroom. Don't wait for me," she replied quickly, giving him a reassuring nod before turning back toward the school.
Moving against the flow of students returning home was like wading through a river. She dodged and squeezed her way between groups, murmuring apologies, her anxiety building. What if I miss the bus? she thought, her pace quickening as she navigated her way back inside. She pushed through the crowd and speed-walked toward the nearest bathroom, glancing at her watch nervously.
Finally, she arrived, slightly out of breath, in front of the two bathroom signs—one for boys and the other for girls. She hesitated briefly before stepping into the girls' bathroom. A small pang of guilt tugged at her, making her feel as if she were doing something indecent, but school was over, so surely no one would be here, right?
But as she turned the corner, she bumped into a younger girl who stumbled backward, losing her balance and falling to the floor.
Crap, Diana thought, freezing in place, her mind racing with panic.
The girl looked up at Diana, who stood completely still, wide-eyed and rooted to the spot. The girl seemed to assess the situation, then quickly mumbled, "Sorry," before hurrying out of the bathroom, leaving Diana standing there, heart pounding.
Diana took a deep breath, relieved, but the urgency quickly returned as she checked her watch again—only five minutes before the buses would leave. She rushed into a stall and sat down, willing herself to hurry. Come on, come on, she thought, but the more she stressed, the harder it became to relax. Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to calm down and finally felt a sense of relief.
Finishing up quickly, she dashed out of the stall and jogged through the hallway toward the exit. Her heart rate slowed a little as she saw students still milling around near the gate. Maybe she'd overreacted a bit. Then she spotted Daniel, leaning against the wall, his back turned as he waited for her.
She hurried over, her voice carrying a slight pout. "I told you not to wait for me."
He raised an eyebrow, glancing over at her. "How would you get home if you missed the bus?"
"Yeah... that would be a problem," she admitted, realizing the oversight. She brushed it off with a smile. "Anyway, let's go."
We boarded the bus, greeted by the familiar buzz of students talking, laughing, and finding their seats. The bus conductor, visibly tired but maintaining a friendly demeanor, greeted each student as they boarded. Diana and I found a seat in the middle of the bus, situated away from the lively sixth graders and the louder, boisterous seniors.
As we settled in, the bus quickly filled up with more students. Diana and I sat quietly, waiting for the bus to depart. I typically kept to myself on the bus, as I was always exhausted after a full day at school. Not knowing anyone particularly well on the bus made me hesitant to strike up a conversation. Usually, I would either sleep or stare out the window.
As I looked out the window, I remembered Diana was sitting right next to me. When I turned towards her, I found her gazing directly back at me, her face close enough that I quickly looked away.
"What are you doing?" I asked, trying to hide my surprise.
"I never get to see myself from another person's perspective. I thought it was interesting," she said simply, her curiosity evident.
I understood what she was trying to convey, but I couldn't shake off the rising nervousness and heat in my body. "I'm going to sleep," I exclaimed abruptly, closing my eyes.
I tried to relax and rest, but my heart kept racing, recalling her face when I turned to look at her. I became acutely aware of every bump in the road, every chatter, and every burst of laughter around me. My mind struggled to find calm, but eventually, I took a deep breath and managed to settle.
Some time later, I felt a gentle bump on my shoulder. I opened my eyes to see Diana asleep on my shoulder, her head nestled comfortably. I tried to focus on the passing scenery outside the window, but my thoughts kept drifting back to the soft sensation on my shoulder.
How did this happen? Why did this happen? Questions swirled in my mind, each one more perplexing than the last.
The bus hit a bump, and Diana stirred slightly, her head shifting on my shoulder. I froze, not wanting to wake her. A part of me was still grappling with the surreal nature of it all—sitting next to a girl who was, in essence, me.
The bus conductor's voice crackled over the intercom, announcing the next stop. I gently nudged Diana, whispering, "Hey, we're almost at our stop."
Her eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, she looked disoriented. Then, realizing where she was, she straightened up. "Sorry, I didn't mean to fall asleep on you."
"It's okay," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "You looked like you needed it."
Diana scooted out of the seat, and I followed suit. As I stood up, I bumped my head on the overhead storage compartment. "Ow," I muttered, cursing myself for always forgetting to bend down.
Rubbing my head, I quickly followed Diana out of the bus into the hot, oppressive air. The sun beat down relentlessly, making the pavement shimmer. I stepped onto the pavement and saw Diana waiting for me.
"Let's go," she said with a smile.