"Phoebe, I'm taking off, wait for me." The display lights from Arnold's text message illuminated on Phoebe's face, across a vast ocean, the time difference is inevitable, he may display Beijing time night falls at the dawn in New York.
"Hey! Phoebe! How long are we going to wait?" Carlos, Dorothy Ann, and the four remaining people who came to pick him up were already waiting impatiently.
"He'll be fast, look! He's here!" Phoebe pointed to a golden shadow in the distance, the shadow became clearer and clearer, finally becoming Arnold's figure, he waved his hand vigorously, and rushed to his friends arms.
"Hey! Arnold! Did you know that we have to sleep during the day because of the plane delay?"
"Carlos, I believe you're the only one doing this, Dorothy Ann is by your side,right?She must've scolded you for hours?"
"She's really noisy!"
"That's what you deserve, in your eyes it's plane delaying, but if you look at it from the perspective of DA, it is just her incompetent husband there sleeping during the day."
Carlos blushed at his comment.
"So where do you want to hold this alumni reunion tomorrow?"Liz stuck her head out of Arnold's backpack, after holding on to it for at least ten hours, she was finally free, and Wanda's very excited:"What else? Since we're all Mr. Frizzle's students, it's about us. This event will go by her style."
"You're really insane, haven't you learned a lesson from the terrifying adventures from the Granger Mountains a few years ago?"
…
Of course, in the end, they choose to stay in Walkerville.
They visited the planetarium and recalled Frizzle's earth science class in open space in the suburbs.
Dorothy Ann went to the library to change books, Wanda suggested Arnold open the school door.
They circled Walkerville in the car, "Don't you get me on that crazy school bus! I haven't figured out how it works until now!"Arnold was so angry that his blond hair seemed to jump.
"Okay, of course I won't."Wanda laughed.
"You still like scaring people and making fun of people!"
They were allowed to take a group photo in front of their former primary school on the school holidays.
Arnold hopes that everyone can sit like the time when they graduated from elementary school. "In the same photos, the same scenery, and the same seats and postures, it's just that we have changed. Isn't the difference beautiful?"
"Wait a minute." Arnold set up the camera, but he didn't start the time-lapse to start taking the pictures.
"Do you have an extra stool?" He asked cautiously.
Everyone looked at each other, they all knew what he meant, but they didn't dare to say it.
Ralphie stood up and patted him on the shoulder quite tacitly: "Bro, don't say anything. I'll go get you one!"
He moved an extra stool and put it next to Arnold, and Arnold ran to the camera with confidence, pressing down the button.
"3! 2! 1! Cheese!"
At the end of the day, they met with each other's family members. Arnold pushed the wheelchair of Carlos' younger brother Mickey to an exciting race, until Mickey was so frightened that he grabbed the handrail and shouted stop.
"Are you and Phoebe flying back to China tomorrow?"Keesha asked him.
"No, class reunion is never completely over in one day, and I really want to stay and revisit old places, "Arnold said.
The next morning, when everyone was not together, Arnold and Phoebe walked up a hill in a nearby park.
"It's a pity, that time I went to the Granger Mountains. The mountains are very open. I think you will like the location there, you'll paint a very beautiful landscape."
"Don't say that, Arnold, at that time I didn't have much interest in drawing yet, I didn't know much about it, but this hillside is very good, I can see the children under the hillside, I like it."
"Their playfulness, it's good material."
She set up an easel and laid a drawing board on it, took out the paint box in her backpack, put some on each paint board, picked up a paintbrush and started to paint layer by layer.
Arnold admired her, just like he was sitting and admiring her in the same posture ten years ago.
She's similar to a perfect painting, quiet and calm. In this way, no matter how long the time passes, it doesn't feel long.
The breeze started to blow, lightly against her skirt. The sun was dazzling, he inserted a parasol beside him.
The wind seemed to be getting stronger and stronger, even the easel and parasol on the ground began to vibrate.
Arnold immediately realized that something was wrong, because he saw a huge shadow covering her.
"Nimbus?!Phoebe, let's go back!"
Then he suddenly realized that it was getting dark, rushed to help her put away the drawing board, easel, and umbrella, he hurriedly ran to the flat with her.
Although this park is said to be nearby, it is a bit distance from them to Carlos' house.
It was only halfway through the road, and the rain began to pour down. Fortunately, this umbrella is a combination of sunshade and normal umbrella, and also has a large capacity.
They just laughed and talked like this while walking together on the street. (Note: This description imitates Hayao Miyazaki's animation film, "The Wind Rises")
"Sometimes I feel like she's been there all the time, just hiding somewhere." Arnold said softly, "Like that last day, I felt like my body was going backwards, and I seemed to be back at that place again.
The place you need someone to comfort you when you're sad."
Flashback——
In the late summer and early autumn, there's always a class in Walkerville Elementary School that has a stretch out, "Good-morning——"
The children will respond one after another: "Good morning! Ms. Frizzle!"
The red-haired teacher walked with lively steps, waving her hand enthusiastically, this is the usual norm in many people's impressions.
But this time it was a little different - she was sitting in the back, standing on the podium was a shy blond boy with long hair tied up by a red rope, his clothes were white and plain, which was particularly similar to his temperament match.
"Who is he?Ms. Frizzle?"
"Oh, I almost forgot! Let me introduce, this is my student and your new history teacher, Mr. Perlstein, let's all give a round of applause for him!"
The welcoming applause made him feel a little at loss. After the applause ended, he couldn't react for a long time, until she winked at him in the back seat, and he noticed a trace of nervousness.
Slowly speaking:"Good morning, girls and boys, I'm Arnold Perlstein, and I'm your new history teacher from today. I hope... I hope that in future courses, we can bond together while exploring every historic monument."
For a split second, a breeze entered the open window and blew his hair.
That was the beginning of all adventures.
More flashback——
"Today's field trip is hosted by you. Remember my words. During the whole process, no matter what, you must know how to handle unexpected situations, in order for the school bus to have more powerful energy."She held him, when she let go, the key was quietly in his palm.
That was the first time he felt it up close - warm energy radiating from her body, and it seemed to flow into him.
He will never forget that decisive first trip, their destination was Egypt--the most thrilling experience was that after they crossed into ancient Egypt, the rising waters of the Nile washed over them. He grabbed the children out despite not knowing how to swim.
After bringing them all out, he was flooded with water from head to toe.
Despite their grudges about school bus trips, the kids ended up getting used to it-- because their teacher might experience the same thing, reacting in the same way as they react--being scared, yelling uncontrollably, one of his favorite students, Theseus described it this way:"When something terrible happens, Mr. Perlstein will shout louder than we do."
Many times he would hear the boys complaining he's not brave enough, but the girls are all fascinated with this quiet male teacher. Whenever they were frightened, no matter how scared he was, he would always try to keep them safe, also using the gentlest words to comfort them.
A semester has passed, and in science class, they may encounter various situations when riding the school bus, such as becoming smaller and transforming, their science teacher, Frizzle never panicked at all, but, history, on the other side, every time is a near-miss time travel, what they have often heard for half a year is Arnold's "I knew it, I knew I should've stayed home today."
And every once in a while, they appreciate the famous painting, "The Scream".
One semester, one academic year, three semesters, two academic years…
Finally, one day, the connection between the science teacher and the history teacher is completely broken——a symbol that he must face an unknown danger alone, and in this danger, keep his children unscathed.
"But I do feel a little scared, every time, any time,"he said softly.
The answer is always a fixed, "Don't be afraid."
And a warm hug.
Toward the forever young teacher with unknown magic, Arnold's attitude began to change.
As her proudest first student, he was not so proud of this title - although he was very proud of her curiosity, lovingly personality, but more of disgust and fear filled him, he couldn't get used to her fast-paced and lively character, but it's different now - he's starting to fall in love with this feeling, in her lively and curious persona, filled with lot of fun!
He really enjoys it.
He started to feel less nervous about the new students, he started to encourage them with enthusiasm, he started to enjoy time travel again and again.
He was amazed at these changes -turned out that I could change, and I could change so much, his heart was full of gratitude, but behind the gratitude was a deep guilt - because on the day when he returned to his primary school , he shouted out all the resentment and fear he faced during his childhood at her.
More and more flashback——
"You're a freak! Miss freak!"He yelled at her angrily.
"I'm not used to this kind of class at all! I'm so glad I'll never be like you in any way!" He threw off the materials in his hand and prepared to walk away.
"I know you're not used to…"She said quietly.
"Not used to it? So you know it all along?!That's even more unforgivable!You know I'm not used to it?Yet, you still forced it on me?You're insane!"
But what he didn't know was that, looking at his angry figure, she, who was always smiling, had a heavy expression for the first time.
Even though she endured it again and again, tears still drop unconsciously.
Now he regrets it, really regrets it, she must've cried uncomfortably, he really wants to take the initiative to hug her, telling her, I'm so sorry.
But…damn, damn it.
Why didn't he have the courage to speak up?Why?
"Phoebe, I always feel like a coward when it comes to my emotions, I don't think there's anyone who can't even confess their feelings to someone, oh my, I can't even say 'I love you' ."
"I think you're changing, you've become brave, find the right time to tell her, everything will be okay, " Phoebe replied gently.
.
But he still didn't dare, whenever he saw her crossing the streets, or in the school's parking lot, or in the office next door, he could've bravely stood up, telling her, "I'm sorry for what I've said."
But he never managed to do it.
In the past spring, summer, autumn, and winter, he continued to teach at Walkerville Elementary School.
Ms. Frizzle made him use the school bus more and more, he began to gradually become more proficient in the way of using this magical school bus.
The children were starting to grow up, but he slowly noticed that she never showed any signs of aging.
They'll still be in contact for a very long time.
One day, I can overcome my fear and apologize to her, he thought.
In his eyes, she was always young and energetic, she's like a respected and inviolable goddess in his heart.
But that was just what he thought, that's all.
That day he saw the teacher guiding the students enthusiastically, she waved goodbye to the student, and then took a brisk pace, wanting to go back to her office, but he noticed that her way of walking seemed to have changed, it slowly became heavier like she's rushing.
A nameless fear suddenly rose in his heart, he followed her quietly, trying not to make a sound.
Then he saw a scene that made the unease in his heart infinitely bigger:
She suddenly fell to the ground silently, without any pre-reaction, without showing a distressed expression, just like an ordinary accidental trip, but after the fall, she was on the ground lying down, stilled, like a sculpture, the air freezes, the silence was terrifying.
He stared blankly at this scene for a long time, and then finally tried his best to shout: "Ms.Frizzle?!"
"She fainted..."
It alarmed her students.
Theseus rushed up first. He was the only transfer student in the class, the one who received the most attention from the two teachers, "Call the ambulance!"
He shouted loudly.
In a commanding tone to the classmates who're behind him. Amanda Jane rushed into the office immediately, dialing the numbers.
Arnold looked at her, and she looked a lot older after losing her vitality.
There was a cloud in his mind for some reason, "Could something worse happen to me and her?"
The ambulance came and took her to the hospital, luckily, there was nothing serious.
She woke up looking perfectly normal, not looking like she was dying from a few seconds ago.
The children were all around her, and her mother was on the way.
"Mr.Perlstein, there's something I need to tell you."
The doctor called him over.
"Mr.Perlstein, I need you for a spare moment."
The doctor called again.
He breathed a sigh of relief just now, but fortunately it was just a small accident, Arnold was stunned again, staring blankly at the doctor's face.
"Mr. Perlstein, please come forward."The doctor repeated again, that's when he's finally back to reality.
"Contact her relatives, right?"
"Her mother is on the way."
"Pardon me, I have bad news."
It seemed that there is something that the doctor sorted out in his thoughts, which seemed to foreshadow a more terrifying ending, "We'll…try our best, "
After he finished speaking, he walked away without looking back, leaving Arnold alone to stand quietly, contemplating the esoteric work just now.
"We'll try our best…what does that mean?"
This is a sudden event that has caused the school to issue a special reminder to send students home early.
"Mr. Perlstein..." Florrie grabbed his hand in fear, "Is there really nothing wrong?"
Looking at the girl's timid eyes, those innocent eyes, he suddenly hugged her in his arms: "It'll be alright."
The moment he let go, he saw hope in her eyes, "Thank you..."
Ms.Frizzle came, he took the initiative to hug her—he has always been her favorite child since the third grade of elementary school.
Elementary school was the first time he saw her, then, when he was in middle school, the school was close to her home, so he often goes there as a guest.
She is a very tolerant and childlike old woman, so he is very close to her.
"Oh, Madame Alva, you are the patient's... mother? Come in!"
"Oh, God, let me see..."She took her daughter's hand. "It's okay, Mom, don't worry too much."
"I also brought something you would like very much..."She paused.
"Dottie!"
The red-haired girl showed her head, "Big surprise! Hi! Auntie Valerie!"
The girl jumped to her side, "God, there's another surprise here, hello Arnold!"
She laughed loudly when she woke up, the whole room was immediately filled with a warm and positive atmosphere.
Immediately, a happy smile appeared on everyone's faces.
Flashback——
It's already over, all seems like a good place to develop, everyone is at some point in his life, a very momentary look - once in a coma, fearing she'll never wake up, but no matter how good everything is, some people are not so lucky-every time the people he sees leave unknowingly, there is always a mourning in his heart: presumably, their family will be very sad.
At this time, the source of his cowardness may come out again - he has no intention to go, Ms.Frizzle does not always have the energy below the lower level, he seems to be stuck between life and death, a special occasion.
The company of family members is like her, they are often eager to each other, having similar personalities.
There were her former students, as well as her current students, the clinging began to disperse from this room and his heart at the same time.
Until that day.
No one, not anyone, she said her words without warning:"I need to go."
"What?"
"I lied to you, so for this...I will...apologize for it."The smile on her face was gone, replaced by tenderness and sadness in her eyes, "This is the last lesson I'm going to teach you...letting you know that everything in this world will have an end."
Arnold looked at her, and tears quickly welled up in his shocked eyes, "No...it's impossible!You haven't changed at all, I firmly believe that you will live a long time, this is just a quick phase, I...we still will work together to teach more children."
"I'm sorry, Arnold..."She said, stretching out her arm, "If you really can't take it, tears can vent."
But it's me, who should say sorry, you shouldn't, he thought.
"You need to live!"Arnold rushed in front of her, only to realize that he had grown taller than her. He wanted to grab her by the neckline and yell at her, thinking that he would stop her from saying those things. Words with bad meanings, but he didn't do it in the end, instead, he threw himself into her warm arms and cried.
Only then did he realize that what he was about to lose was no longer just his mentor, but also a close friend who could truly change him and inspire him, a relative who gave him warmth when he was confused.
Flashback——
"Mr. Perlstein."It was Amanda Jane, "Can you do me a favor?"
"Huh?"
"Ms.Frizzle's birthday gift..."
"Of course."
This is his greeting to the students more than once. The story of that day has become history, but the truth is, as she said, she is exhausted, and fear has become a haunting ghost, often flashing in his golden eyes.
Many patients with her have gradually become familiar with him. As soon as they see a young man in a plain white robe, long hair tied up with a red rope, they will say hello to him, and he'll always bring himself to them, responding with a gentle smile.
The family members of critically ill patients are often entangled in fear, so he listens to them chattering about their fears, so as to reduce their fear of death, and in these talks, he also feels the meaning of life and death, he pays special respect, admonishes them, as well as warning himself.
Experience this life well, try to live each day with as much fun as possible.
Her vitality is fading, and despite her efforts to look like everything is normal, she can't hide her haggard pallor, she is really old, even she has to admit, it's like some kind of mysterious magic in the family.
The power of her began to disappear, or she, herself realized that she was just a human being dominated by time.
The time for her able to walk gets limited more and more, most of the time she sits there, the light and shadow outline her, her age to Arnold seems to have regressed a lot - he has turned back to the timid and introverted boy, hiding quietly in a corner, venting his emotions with silent and quiet tears.
She allowed him to collapse occasionally in her arms, her low, gentle voice guiding him like a genie.
Flashback——
It was a sunny day, she sat smiling on the lawn behind the hospital, the breeze was blowing her bright red hair, Arnold looked at her, she looked as young and enthusiastic as ever.
This time, it's not only him, Phoebe and Tim accompanied him this time.
"Tim."
"What's wrong?"
"I heard you've been practicing drawing, can you draw one for me?"
"You'll be my model?"
"Yes."Looking at the paint on the board in Tim's hand.
"..."After a suspense, Tim started taking out his supplies, starting to paint.
In her mind, Arnold didn't seem to yearn for it. The heart that had been shrouded in death row for a long time was greatly faded in the fiery colors. Just like the way she used to act made him feel at ease - the words of the past abandoned by her retreated…
Later, he knew that there was a kind of despair, called terminal lucidity.
The sound of the doctors running brings attention to him. He didn't react immediately, but stood there for a long time.
Until a patient's family nearby, notified him:"Your teacher is in the ER."
It's a pity that no matter how he shouted and knocked, the heavy glass door would not open for him.
He was surprised that he could hear the sound of the electrocardiogram not far away. Although the sound was very weak, he still heard it, beating regularly.
It's alright, it's alright, he prayed like this in his heart, that was enough to comfort him.
Just then, someone tapped him on the shoulder from behind.
"She has something to tell you."
His soul seemed to be detached from his body, he was held by the doctor, walking with no direction.
He already understood the ending in his heart, but he didn't say anything, he didn't show any expression on his face.
"What's the matter..."He squatted down gently, the voice was faint, even more inaudible through the oxygen mask.
"Farewell..." She couldn't even utter a word, she could only spit out such a word vaguely.
He was led out in a daze, he didn't even take a few steps…
"Beep, beep, beep—"
It was the loudest sound he had ever heard in his life, he stared blankly at Ms.Frizzle, Dottie and some others who were in front of him with tears in their eyes, trying to comfort him, suddenly waking up from a dream, turning back, he shouted like crazy, rushing back.
The door just opened at this time, and the medical nurses next to him didn't have time to catch him.
Fortunately, there were sharp-eyed doctors who had already anticipated all this and rushed up to catch him, when he started to get out of control.
However, he did not obey their advice as before, but this time, like a rusher.
The golden lion, which came out of the cage, shouted loudly:"No—it can't be!Let me go!"
This is the only way to make him see reality - the doctors thought.
"I'm sorry for your loss."He bowed bitterly to the person in front of him.
Sure enough, when these words entered his ears along the air, his shouting began to slowly disappear, the doctors who controlled him finally took a deep breath.
Letting go.
However, the next second.
His mouth slowly closed, and then he fell slowly without warning, fellingvheavily on the floor of the hospital.
Just now, his body was really heated, but the floor was cold, very comfortable. This was the last feeling he had before his mind fell into confusion.
It was a few hours after waking up again, he rubbed his eyes to confirm where he was, then picked up his glasses subconsciously, quietly opening the door.
There was no one else in the empty corridor, and he only had one thought - go home.
"Arnold."A familiar voice made him turn his head.
It was Phoebe, who came over cautiously.
"Where did they go?"
"They've gone back, they asked me to accompany you."
"Let me see her."
"Huh?"
"Let me take a look at her."
"She's gone, Arnold, I'll go home with you."
"You take me to see her..."He hugged her without warning, with tears in his eyes full of confusion and a hint of madness, "I don't want to go back, you know where she is."
"Okay..." She gently led him to sit down on a bench next to her, "Slow down, let your mind clear up, and I'll go get the doctor."
Phoebe saw the doctor around the corner, and the moment she told him about getting the mortuary key, her heart was sour - Arnold had always been her guide to overcome difficulties, but now it has been reversed, the person being guided has now become a comforter.
Flashback——
"My god, I can't believe Ms.Frizzle would dress like that. Do you think we'll encounter something weird while traveling?"
"Don't think too much, she's always been like this, you'll get used to it."The blond boy standing next to her, spread his hands.
"What kind of rocks do you like?"He took out all kinds of rocks from his backpack and showed them to her, "It's definitely the famous band Rolling Stones."
"Well, I'm not a big fan of rock and roll."
"But it does sound good." "It sounds good to you."
"Did you hear anything?"The red-haired girl suddenly wanted to make a joke.
"Arn, is your stomach growling?"
"Ah? What?"His uneasy look made her chuckle.
"I've got the key," Phoebe said, holding the key up to him. "Don't be so sullen, let's go."
She had only heard in books before that in order to keep the temperature of the mortuary constant, it was usually very cold there. Coupled with the bodies of various patients here, the faint-hearted would definitely feel particularly frightened.
"Don't be afraid." Arnold gently pulled her to his side, "There is nothing to be afraid of in the dead, they were once the relatives of someone alive, so what is there to be afraid of?"
They walked in front of her, he silently looked at the white cloth covering her body, he had an impulse - he wanted to grab her hand, he remembered what learned from her science class.
When your hand feels cold, rub it to make heat.
"Tell me, she's just asleep..."He said softly, "I haven't told her...I'm sorry."
"She'll hear, she'll know, " Phoebe said.
Final flashback——
All the students she had taught came to her funeral, including those he and she co-taught—his first, her last.
Standing in front of everyone was the blond boy. The bright red hair band that tied his long hair in the past was gone, replaced by a black ribbon tied into a bow, the wings were long and drooping down, like a dead butterfly.
It only took two or three years when he returned to her side, when she was lying here quietly.
He suddenly remembered something from the past—
He once traveled to Japan to see cherry blossoms for a while, and when he walked into the colorful scenery, the tour guide suddenly said with emotion, "There is only one month to rely on, to make travel expenses."
Later, visiting a cherry blossom forest in China, he knew the answer——The life of each cherry blossom is only about seven days. Even if the cherry blossom forests bloom one after another, it will only be bright for a month. Once the flowers open, their petals will begin to fall. For ordinary people, this is beautiful scenery.
By itself, it's just a countdown to a short life.
She is the same now, short-lived brilliance, long-term silence and gone forever, just like the cherry blossoms that only bloomed for a month that year.
Her life is full of enthusiasm, her whole life is unique.
She must have no regrets.
This is what the students say.
But in his eyes, she has.
That sorry sentence turned into falling cherry blossom petals, and he never had the chance to say it to her again.
Would she have thought about that at the last moment?Do you feel anything, are you still living under the names that I've called you?
If that's the case, he can't forgive himself for the rest of his life.
It was the middle of winter, the snow falling on Walkerwell, he seemed to watch her pass the snow-covered trees, the gray sky, and her students.
For a long time after that, he would see her in all his dreams, and sometimes he would still be like that, sometimes he would go back to the time when he was a child. She would take him to roam all kinds of fantasy worlds, then disappearing inexplicably, while he unconsciously woke up, returning to reality.
He took the school bus keys from her mother, and the time-turning watch was often worn on his wrist.
He felt that having her shadow on him was the best way to live, and she would be very happy.
He also felt that he still couldn't maintain curiosity and passion like her, which would probably disappoint her.
Anyway, time flies.
Spring, summer, autumn and winter, every time when he saw the smiling faces of the children with the phrase, "Good morning! Mr. Perlstein!"
He felt that everything was worth it.
On the last day of staying here, he smiled and hugged with tears and embraced these close friends who had accompanied him through countless springs and autumns, driving the school bus around Walkerville, finally stopping at the familiar flower shop, he was very happy.
Requesting the usual with the flower shop owner:"Three birds of paradise, please."
"Of course, it's pleasant doing business with you." The boss picked out the three most colorful ones and handed them to him, smiling at him.
The cemetery was very quiet, with only the occasional bird chirping among the green trees. He squatted down and carefully inserted the bird of paradise into the vase in front of the tombstone.
The bright petals brought the brightest color to the gray-white cemetery.
With a flower, he said softly:"I'm going back, Ms.Frizzle, don't worry about me, thank you."
"And...and..." he wanted to say, "I'm sorry, for what I said at that day, you're never a freak, you're..."
"...none but the greatest, most enthusiastic, best teacher I've ever met."
He gently leaned against the tombstone and closed his eyes, and fell asleep unknowingly.
In his dream,
It's not like a hospital garden, it's more like the hill in the park where he and Phoebe went to sketch that day. He sat under a green tree with a book on his lap. The sun was warm and the grass was warm. A little bit of flowers.
"Arn!"A familiar voice woke him up, he looked down, the female teacher with fiery red hair smiled and beckoned to him,
"I'm here, come over here!"
He closed the book between his elbows, running as fast as he could on the flowery grass. In an instant, the book fell to the ground, he threw himself into her arms, laughing and crying.
He looked up at her, saw her face full of bright smiles, then grabbed his hand and ran recklessly in the spring light.
"Are you ready?"She asked softly.
"I'm ready."
She jumped with him, "Close your eyes!"
He heard the whistling of the wind in his ears, and then he felt his feet on the ground.
He opened his eyes and found himself back on the hill again, only that he became alone when she disappeared.
A gust of wind blew his clothes and hair, he closed his eyes, opened his arms with a smile, fully experiencing the comfort of the wind blowing through him.
Even if the wind blows, never say never.