"Why won't my hands stop shaking
When all the earth is still
When ancient ghosts are waking
So many steps need taking
So many plans need making
I think I will
I think I will"
"Hey squirt?"
"Yes, Ben?" Annalisa asked, her head pressed up against her big brother's back as he zipped through heavily congested traffic. A nervous smile was on her face as her mind whirled with a million different scenarios of what would happen that day.
"Don't be nervous, okay? It's just another school year, only at another school," he reassured her, making a right at a stop sign and slowing to nearly a crawl, due to the cars that were inching their way up to Midtown School of Science and Technology. Ben swore softly, making Annalisa shake her head, her lips tight.
"Potty mouth jar," she said firmly. "Are you alright with drooping me off here? I don't mind walking."
"You sure?" Ben asked, making her roll her eyes at her overprotective big brother.
"Well Ben, at this rate, I'm not going to make it to my first class, which, by the way, I have no idea where it even is, and I may get slapped with a detention!"
"Alright, alright!" Ben chuckled, pulling over to the side of the road, where he placed the kickstand down and took off his helmet to allow his little sister to kiss his cheek. She couldn't help but tussle his sun bleached curls playfully as he laughed loudly at her.
"Have a good day, alright?" he told her, slipping his helmet back onto his head and revving up the engine once more.
"Same to you!" Annalisa grinned as he kicked the kickstand back up and zipped away.
"Love you!" she yelled before turning and beginning to quickly jog to Midtown School of Science and Technology.
She took a deep breath in as the intimidating architecture of Midtown School of Science and Technology loomed up before her. She hesitated for only a fraction of a second before plastering a confident smile onto her face and began to strut her way up the steps.
"Annalisa!"
She turned at hearing her name and laughed loudly as she was attacked in a giant hug. The petite fifteen year old stumbled and fell against some lockers, wrapping her arms around her best friend.
"Hello, Bumpy!" Annalisa greeted her, giggling as she wrapped an arm around her dark skinned friend's shoulders, who began to lead her down a hallway. "Where are we going?"
"The gym," she answered. "There's a meet everyone get together instead of classes this week."
Annalisa felt her anxiety plop into her stomach and it took everything for her not to start crying.
"What did I tell you?" Bumpy gently asked her, her hand rubbing soothing circles into her friend's shoulder..
"Pretend that I'm in a role onstage," Annalisa mumbled, another smile, this one softer making its way onto her face.
"That's right!" Bumpy cheered her on as a set of opened double doors came into view. "I'll be right here besides you."
"Forever?" the redhead girl asked, taking her hands and leaning her forehead up against hers.
"And always," she responded with a smile on her face.
The two best friends entered the gym, arms linked together as Annalisa glanced around her. She saw a lot of nerdy looking people, and that only made her want to shake uncontrollably, however, her years of theatre work prevented her from showcasing her nervousness.
"Morning glow all your life
We can make the new day right
All the bad songs of the night
Will fade into the past
Morning glow is here at last"