I sigh as I watch the bus speed off into the distance, cutting of my thoughts of going back home and limp my way to the nearby shade as quickly as I can under the showering rain. I had been hit by a car a while back. it hadn't really put my life in danger but had left me with a little sprain, that might be toning it down a bit but it put me out of school for a week, and for that I was a little thankful. I really hated school. But it did make me find out that staying at home felt suffocating. So as soon as they'd said I can go to school I'd instantly said yes.

My school is a bit far from where I live, I usually walk the distance to save whatever bit of money I can since my parents really don't give me much, but because of the accident I've had to take the bus. it's still quite the distance from where the bus stops to the school though so now I have to wait for my friends who are usually late, which now naturally makes me late, to help me to school. So I really don't even try to catch the early bus.

"Ahhh, looks like I have to help you to school again, life is never easy for my saintly self, even if it means being late I will still help you."

Hearing the voice filled with bragging and sarcasm behind me, I don't bother to turn around. I can tell it is Zara. I had met her at the beginning of high school last year but I already felt like I'd known her forever.

She comes up and sits beside me on the shade shaking the rain off the umbrella she is holding.

"When did you get the flu?" she asks handing me a tissue.

I wipe my running nose in embarrassment and try to stifle the small coughs I let out.

"You know we're late right?" I say to her.

"Nah, really not my fault this time I swear. Hana said we should wait for her so like meh, she's honestly the one to blame."

Hana was Zara's friend and they'd apparently known each other for a long time. I guess I consider her my friend too, but honestly, Zara is the only common link between us. Unlike Zara she is usually quiet and is shy around people.

"Hi Zara, hello Iris."

"Uh hi." I had been too lost in my thoughts and had not seen Hana.

"Welp, guess it's time to go." Zara says standing up.

"Iris, put your arm around me." She says while bending her neck. "Hana, you can carry her bag right?" she asks."You don't have to, I can carry it on my own." I say worrying about Hana. She tends to do everything Zara says even if it puts a strain on her. And I feel guilty if she's made to do something for me because I don't feel that close to her.

"No nono, it's ok. It's not that heavy." Hana says while picking my bag up and hanging hers on her back."Come now our late entry ticket." Zara elicits a laugh from me as I put my arm around and she holds up the umbrella to cover up the both of us.We walk out into the rain which looks like it will continue for the rest of the day. We have to constantly make stops along the way because I wince in pain whenever I step wrongly with my leg. Hana and Zara don't seem to mind it but I feel like a burden every time I do. They probably notice the way I feel and try to make conversations along the way.

We reach the school gate and see a large crowd gathered there with more people joining in and pushing forward to see what's happening.

"Hmm, should we check?" Hana asks while turning back to look at Zara and me.

"Yeah it's ok. I'll wait over there." I point up ahead. I really can't do much movement in a crowd so I'll just stay back and let them satisfy their curiosity.

"Here, you can have this." Zara hands me the umbrella and ducks underneath Hana's and both of them join the crowd pushing forward.

I go over and sit on the stairs near the door and taking the time to stretch my leg moving it forward and backwards. I look onto the gathered crowd. I can't see anything at all. Just as I think about sitting further up the stairs do that I can at least catch a glimpse of what's happening, the huge crowd moves back and I hear shouts of alarm and panic. I hear a set of footsteps and see some adults rushing in to break up what apparently seems to have turned into a fight.

And just like that it ends and the crowd disperses, pretty anti-climactic from my view, not that I viewed much.

"Let's go." Zara and Hana walk up to me in a hurry, their tone breaking me off the spell.

"What happened?" I ask wiping my sweaty palms on my skirt without anyone noticing as we go into the hallway through the huge double doors.

"It was a fight." Hana says, and then seeing my inquiring gaze, she adds, "I don't know their names."

"Was there blood?"

"Yep." Zara says with apparent disgust, "It was fucking messed up."

"Maybe I should have stayed."

"Sometimes you're real weird you know." Zara says as we inch closer to our classroom.