Regret Story Fourth Draft

The Bus Crash

 

The horizon’s glaze signaled the end of dawn, the sun’s peach and orange rays painting the indigo sky with spring colors at five o’clock in the morning. Animals in the frigid windy city were up already, preparing for another cold February day similar to people of the town. Inside a small house on the Northside of Chicago, a young teenage girl awoken to the beams of the sun. Closing her thick purple curtains, the sixteen-year old grabbed a neatly-ironed shirt, blue jeans, and a towel before walking into the bathroom. The teenage girl exited the bathroom ten minute later dressed in a pink floral-designed shirt and bright blue jeans, and entered the kitchen.

“Good morning Cindy” a slightly older male said hugging the girl.

“Good morning Henry” Cindy responded before hugging him back.

The two were step-siblings by marriage, but considered themselves blood siblings. Cindy was a sophomore at Sojourner Truth High, and part of the school forest perverse club. Cindy is an actual junior volunteer of the Friends of Chicago River and Forest Preserver of Cook County. Cindy assisted many projects to help native species of Illinois and clean up the Chicago River. Henry was two years older than Cindy, and was learning the basics of advance computer design at a University just outside of Chicago. Their parents were in Ohio for their anniversary, but the step-siblings had enough money to sustain themselves until they arrive back.

“Getting ready for the trip?” Henry asked, receiving a nod from Cindy. The young volunteer was gathering ingredients for a simple sandwich.

“I wish they had chosen another day for this field trip. A Monday of all days” Cindy said, her voice hinting at her slight anger. 

“Don’t worry about the date of the trip. Focus on fun and your interests” Henry advised. Cindy, now finished with her sandwich, placed the wrapped meal into a lunch bag along with a bottled lemon tea. Cindy began packing her book bag, but a music sheet fall out of her music binder, Henry picked the sheet up out of curiosity.

“Hey, is this the song that…”Cindy took the music sheet from Henry’s hand.

“Yes, this is the song Angel wanted me to play” Cindy answered calmly before placing the music sheet back into her music binder.

“Cindy, you will get to see Angel tomorrow. You guys could make up” Henry assured Cindy, lightly patting the step-sibling on the back.

“I know, but I-“Henry said before interrupting her.

“Please worry about this later when you come back home. I don’t want you stressing out” Henry playfully flicked her nose softly, causing Cindy to laugh.

“Okay Henry” Cindy said. Within five minutes, the volunteer had her lunch bag in her left hand and her book bag against her back. With one final wave, Cindy left her house and walked to her high school.

Sojourner Truth High was among the top ten schools in Illinois, one of the hardest school to be enrolled in. With only six hundred students, the school specialized in all subjects and value important practices of diversity and acceptance among all students. Cindy never expected to be accepted to the prestigious school since she took an enrollment test for the rival school. Now, the volunteer was attending Sojourner Truth High for a second year. Cindy was very friendly toward whomever greeted her, but overall she was very shy. The volunteer found making friends who share most of her interests impossible, claiming she had been cursed to have no classmates in any of her seven classes with her key interests. Cindy loved Japanese cartoons known as anime, and video games regardless if she was playing the actual games. Unfortunately, it appear all the students in all her classes only cared about sports, the latest action shows, latest hit songs and shopping. Cindy feel she could never talk openly to her classmates, or does not know exactly how to talk to others without the fear of judgement. Cindy remain determined to learn the trends and interests of her peers to know them better.

 Cindy arrived at school early, really early. First they decide the date was on a Monday, then the departure time is six o’ clock in the morning! Cindy managed not to scream in frustration. Cindy waved at a few classmates of her United States history class and sat on a nearby bench. Ten minutes later, all of Cindy’s classmates arrived in front of the school building and the teacher Mr.Wolfe. “Alright, everyone here” Mr. Wolfe asked. After taking attendance, all the students entered a single yellow bus with the label “JB Bus Company: Safety First”. Cindy sat beside Paul Anderson, a quiet student in the class similar to her. Cindy did not mind, at least she did not have to worry about him chatting from across the walkway to a friend; a fear she had if she was paired with a gregarious person. Cindy simply place her earbuds into her ear and pulled out a book from her book bag. Cindy read as she listened to a giant list of songs varying from pop to alternative rock to techno. Cindy enjoyed many genres of music. Once in a while, Cindy would glance outside the window to see a blend of modern and old century buildings on their way to Springfield. Cindy enjoyed looking at the passing scenery, it assured her she was going somewhere and not idle wasting her life.

The bus traveled across Bloomington, Illinois and Mr.Wolfe noted particular statues or structures to the students as the bus rode. The bus made a quick stop at McDonalds for anyone to eat. A McDonald of all places!?! Cindy questioned criticality. The stop was short and the bus began to move again. On the ride through Joliet, Cindy manage to spur up some chat with Paul. To the volunteer’s surprise, Paul enjoyed many video games Cindy was aware of. It was refreshing to find someone to talk who shared some interests. Eventually, Cindy retreated to her previous quiet state.

Cindy looked into the window beside her and felt a chill keep slowly into her spine. The bus is too close to trees, at least the road was….narrow” Cindy thought, noting the bus was traveling on a dirt path of some kind. Cindy tried to push worried thought out of her mind, before fear began to spark into her mind. In one swift to the left, Cindy felt the gravity shifted and her vision began flashing. Her mind began panicking wildly, and her heart began to shatter from pain caused by fear. Cindy felt like a tumbleweed in the bus as it fell over the edge, hoping broken glass did not puncture anything vital. Her vision blurs, and she enter her subconscious.  Cindy never expected her memories before her “death” to be so…bleak. It was just fun memories with loved ones, except for a small black speck. Suddenly, one sad memory emerged.

Cindy sat in her room, guilt threating to jump out of her heart to the mirror. In her right hand was a music sheet for a song. “For Angel” was written on the top of the music sheet.  I was just not ready to play the song. I could play it another time-I” Cindy tried to reason, but failed. Cindy knew she was nothing more than a coward. Cindy thought back two days ago, her special planned show ruined due to her own nervousness and self-doubt. Or was it because of John’s words. Cindy memories quickly flashed to the threating words of John moments before her show. “You honestly think you could play just a complicated song without messing up. That’s foolish. I thought you know better than that Cindy” John scolded the volunteer.

“I studied and..” Cindy began. “No matter how much you studied, you always find a way to fail” The string of discouragement continued, before Cindy ran off. He’s…right Cindy sat in the rows of seat, listening to the announcement of her show canceled. Cindy’s mind began to drift deeper to the last few days. Alex, Angel’s best friend, died from a heart attack just a day before the field trip. Her show was going to be the last thing Angel and Alex would spend together. She ruined their last time together, like a complete selfish and cowardly monster. Finally, her mind began to turn completely blank and she blacked out.