I always hate waking up and on rainy days it seems even less worth it. It sounds
like even the earth doesn’t want me to wake up. I think the sky is crying. Maybe it
feels bad for me.
Anyways, I don’t have much choice in the matter, so up I get.
Sweatshirt, whatever pair of pants is nearest, ready to go. Maybe I’ll run my
hands through my hair in a futile attempt to fix the rat's nest but I usually give up.
If it’s bad enough I’ll put on a hat.
Down the stairs, pet my dog and say goodbye. Out into the garage, put on some
shoes. Hope that I didn’t forget my keys.
The drive to school is the best part of my day, save for the drive home.
Toss my backpack in the back, hop into my seat. Set up my bluetooth, rolling my
eyes at how long it takes to connect. Take my parking brake off and get to
driving.
Up a few hills, a few turns later, I actually end up smiling at one point.
I’m glad I replaced my windshield wiper. They aren’t any louder than my music
now.
As I get closer to the school the drivers around me get progressively worse and I
find myself sighing in frustration.
“How did you even get your license?” I find myself yelling more than once.
Through the masses of accidents waiting to happen, I pull into the parking lot.
Wedge my tiny car into a compact space and turn the key in my ignition.
Off goes the bluetooth, the windshield wipers stop, the smile falls off my face.
In front of me is the imposingly tall building where I have to spend the next 7
hours. And the next two years.
I check the time, see that I have ten minutes before I have to get to class. I lean
back and connect my earbuds to my phone, mentally preparing myself for
school. In the brief period of time between the stop of my car's engine and the
start of my music, I listen to the rain. It sounds nice on the metallic ceiling over
me. I wish I could crack a window to hear it a little better.
I get a few more minutes of that peace and quiet and for a while I don’t regret
waking up this morning. Maybe this is worth it.
But it’s short-lived as the morning bell rings out, cutting through the peace and
quiet.
I’m late.