I looked out into the dark overcast outside my window. The birds sang to a strange, syncopated tune, and the leaves were covered in rain drops. I sat up, realizing I overslept for the third time this week and it was only Wednesday.
Signal: Hurry.
I knew I had to gear up for my daily dash out of the house. Still, I remained in my bed, staring at the walls that were covered in posters I’d collected over the years. Obey or unexpect read one. I tried to remember where I got that one from, but my mind went blank. Finally, I willed up the energy to get ready for the day.
As I combed through a knot in my hair, I heard a honk outside my house. Here we go again, I thought as I took a deep breath in. I threw all the homework I left on my desk from the night before into my backpack and grabbed an apple for breakfast as I sprinted out the front door. The bus started to leave as I made it outside. I ran as fast as an Olympic sprinter, my hair still tangled, and my backpack half open. I resorted to waving my arms hysterically to get the bus driver’s attention, screaming, “Wait, Wait!” He finally stopped at the end of the street. Kids on the bus laughed at me and some actually cheered and high-fived me for making it on. I didn’t care for any of the attention, I just needed to sit down and catch my breath.
Signal: Finish.
Finish what? I felt like I’d just finished a marathon. As I caught my breath, I opened my backpack, in search of my earbuds so I could listen to music. For some reason, I couldn’t find them, but I did find my history essay that I’d spent so much time working on which was folded unsymmetrically after being squashed under my folders. I remembered I was supposed to finish the conclusion last night but fell asleep before I could. The essay was due this morning at the start of school, and I had no clue how I would put the last paragraph together.
I looked down at the time: 9:00 am. School had just started and my bus was caught in traffic. I tucked my essay back into my bag, as it was going to be turned in late anyway, so points were guaranteed to be taken off. I slumped back in my seat, accepting defeat. What was the point in finishing if it was already bound for no good? I looked once again for my earbuds, then plugged them into my phone. A song came on that I hadn’t heard before. “Obey or unexpect” it echoed, and I thought about that poster in my room. What a coincidence, I thought.
Fifteen minutes later, my bus arrived at school. “Thanks,” I murmured to the bus driver as I made my way off. He said something back, but I couldn’t hear it over my music. I figured it was something about getting to school late.
Signal: Look.
For what? There was nothing to look at on this pretty dreadful day. I stumbled down the bus steps and immediately fell face first into a puddle full of murky water and tiny stones. My earbuds fell out of my ears, and I shivered from the water soaking into my clothes.
“I told you to watch your step!” my bus driver yelled.
“Sorry,” I replied, confused at why he was mad. Why is he upset? I thought. Not like he’s the one that fell. His face looked puzzled, as he replied,“Obey or unexpect, kid.”
I ignored his comment, picking myself up. My clothes were dripping wet and sagged from the weight of the water. There was no way I was going to school like this. Just then, I made the impulsive decision to go back home and change. I knew a shortcut that could get me back home quickly, and I wouldn’t be missing that much from my first few periods. I turned to the right, and followed a rocky, worn out path. I plugged my earbuds in again; the sound was muffled from the water, but that was the least of my problems.
Signal: Don’t go.
Home? Why? I’d gone down this path before and always made it home in one piece. What difference would it make this time? I continued down the path, letting the beat of the song set my walking pace. The clouds darkened, and the sky dimmed, despite it being early morning.
Signal: Watch out.
I ignored it as my mind wandered, thinking about the rough start to this day. I thought about that poster again. Obey or unexpect. Chills ran down my body at the thought of it, but I blamed it on my soaking wet clothes. I decided that the first thing I would do when I got home was get rid of that poster for good.
Signal: Obey or unexpect.
***
“Did you tell her what I told you to say?”
“I did boss, but she ignored me.”
“Gosh, kids these days, couldn’t she catch the hints? Well, she’ll take your spot, and you’re free to go. Good luck out there man.”
“Are you sure? It’s kind of … different here. I can stay, she’s young and—”
“Don’t, it’s too late.”