My forehead burns, and I want to punch a wall because it reeks of gray water. When the dust settles, I struggle to breathe—the grogginess pulling at my mental. Of all things, I wake up to allergies. The worst thing about late spring is weather adaption. Pollen gathers from its foundation, coating everything in its path, and leaving me feeling neglect. I''m stuck in this mess because of Granny. All I wanted was to sleep the ailments away.


    But no. Things had to go her way.


    "Back in my day, I walked five miles to and fro''. I won''t tolerate this lax in my house!"


    The memory of her voice rings in my ears as I scramble to figure out how to get to class.


    The bus broke down—five minutes past eight.


    Right in the middle of traffic... By a cross-section.


    I''m so screwed, repeats the thought.


    I sneeze, peering through the glass tint. All around, the other passengers suffer in silence, trapped in their own irritations. I stand up and swim through the crowd, pushing past people who seem just as annoyed. Reaching the front of the bus, I spot the custodian.


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    "Can you fix it?" I ask the old man with a hint of desperation.


    He shakes his head. "Have to wait for the next one."


    "How long will that take?" I press, checking my watch.


    "Twenty minutes," he replies, maintaining his focus on the road ahead.


    I glance at my gold analog, striking at 8:07. "I''m already late. Open the door."


    He finally looks at me. A long beat of silence stretches between us.


    "No can do. Don''t need additional problems."


    "I can take care of myself," I insist, standing my ground. "Please. Let me through."


    Our eyes lock— his gray orbs connecting with my green pupils.


    "Then, you better hurry," he says, pulling the lever after consideration. "Good luck, kid."


    I nod in gratitude, pressing forward and exiting the compartment.


    "Thanks, Ronnie." I give him a quick wave before stepping onto the curb.


    Finding an escape route feels like a small victory, but I know the real challenge is ahead. It''s a straight shot to campus, and the problem lies within the next three-mile radius.


    "O, you got this," I mutter to myself and take a deep breath.


    I stretch my legs, adjust the black tie beneath my windbreaker, and fasten my pack straps. With a few deep inhales to steady myself, I take off, pushing myself to the thirty-minute mark.


    - - -