First Page

The broken air conditioner made it so the heat of the bus was overwhelming in addition to the early summer's humidity. But even that was unable to put a damper on the excitement radiating throughout the old yellow school bus. Children were packed closely together, chattering away with their friends in excitement over the day's upcoming events at camp. The aisle was littered with duffel bags and garbage bags containing sleeping bags of all colors, clearly labeled with the name and group of a child. The bus counselor sat slumped in the front seat, her sunglasses covering her closed eyes as she repeatedly rubbed her temples. She was defeated, the noise was deafening, with the laughter and voices so loud that it overpowered the tune of Journey's “Don't Stop Believing” that radiated from the brand new stereo system located at the front of the bus. The last few times she dared get up from her seat, even the death grip on the brown plastic of the seat before her was unable to keep her from wobbling with the bus as it traveled over bumpy roads and she was unable to quiet them even a little bit.
If it was even possible, the noise level rose even more as the bus turned down the drive that led to camp, the forest green buildings coming into view out the window. In the front, the bus counselor rose in her seat and placed the sunglasses back on the top of her brunette head as they slowly came to a stop. The bus driver slid open the doors and the head of camp, a thin woman with shoulder length dark brown hair and a bright smile walked on.
“Good morning everybody!” she exclaimed, looking around at the joyful looks on the campers faces.
“Good morning Dana!” they all shouted back at her.
“Are there any third or fourth grade girls on this bus?” she questioned, pretending that she could not see all the luggage the bus was currently carrying.
A few of the older girls raised their hands, their smiles growing wider. “Well, I bet you guys are all excited for your overnight. You can come off first. Grab your bags and bring them to the drama building before making your way to morning assembly.” she instructed them before getting off the bus herself as the back emergency door was opened.