(Serena)
The following morning came and I climbed onto the bus and immediately wanted to die. The smell hit me first. Some mix of old food, body odor, and whatever cleaner they used that made everything smell like fake lemon. I found an empty seat near the front and sat down, keeping my eyes glued to my phone even though the screen was black.
The bus lurched forward and I gripped the seat. Every bump made my teeth rattle. Kids were yelling behind me, someone was blasting music way too loud, and a group of freshmen would not stop laughing at something stupid on their phone. This was hell.
I stared out the window and watched my neighborhood disappear. Houses got smaller, cars got older, and I realized I was seeing parts of town I had never noticed before. This was where the bus kids lived
