UnEnchanted

Once she got over the disappointment, and realized how unrealistic a car would be on her family’s budget, she began to love it. The bike allowed her some freedom. Besides, if Mina’s riding ability was any indication of her driving ability, then the world would have been in for a lot of dented mailboxes.



Swinging her bike onto the sidewalk, Mina waved to Mrs. Wong and barely missed colliding into an old lady walking her gaggle of toy poodles. “Sorry!” she yelled, losing a chunk of the Pop Tart she was still holding in her mouth. She watched in disgust as the poodles, who only minutes ago looked cute and cuddly, morphed into snapping, sugar-crazed dogs. The lady stared in shock as she tried to get control of her wild, pampered babies. Mina shrugged apologetically in response.



Ten minutes later, after cutting through two back streets and riding across three neighbors' back yards, Mina arrived at a school yard was devoid of human life, giving her the undeniable impression that she was tardy. She left her bike by the bike rack, but without a proper kickstand it sagged pathetically to one side against the nicer, newer bikes.



Running toward the bus barn, she was relieved to see the field trip bus was still there, until it pulled away from the curb.



“No!” Mina yelled, running after the bus, trying desperately to catch the notice of the driver.



A window slid down and a familiar blonde head popped out with something silver in her hand. “Mina, you really need to get a watch,” the girl shouted.



“Nan! Tell him to stop!” she cried, feeling a stitch begin in her side.



“And a cell phone! You really need to be brought out of the dark ages. I could have called you.” The girl just kept talking, impervious to Mina’s desperation and waning stamina.



“NAN! Snap out of it! Stop the bus!” she screamed huffing and puffing.



“Oh, right!” The blonde head popped back inside. A moment later the bus slowly decelerated and pulled to the curb.



Out of breath, and slightly limping from the side stitch, Mina finally boarded the first steps of the bus. The bus driver gave her an indignant look; this would probably delay their arrival and he was a stickler for being on time. She ignored him and stepped to the front row where her teacher was sitting to hand him her permission form.



“You really should have been on time,” Mr. West commented. His balding head glistened from the heat of the already too warm bus.



“I’m sorry,” Mina answered quietly. “We had a power outage.”



Mr. West looked over her permission form and then nodded for her to take a seat. Walking toward the back of the bus was like being in a bad slow-motion dream. She had no choice but to be the recipient of twenty-some odd stares.



Ducking her head and sliding into the seat next to Nan, Mina poked her in the side in revenge. “That’s for making me run for so long.”



Nan grinned, showing perfect white teeth. Today she was wore an “I