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The road was unusually busy that day. Cars lined every inch of the street, their horns blaring occasionally, the heat simmering through the windshields. The traffic had gotten so terrible that some people had even fallen asleep in their cars, exhausted from the wait.
Rejoice's father tapped his fingers on the steering wheel, inching the car forward slowly as they made their way toward the bus stop.
"I guess there's much traffic today because people are heading to the bus stop," Elizabeth said while tapping her phone screen, trying to place a call to Grace
"Yeah, I've never seen this much traffic before," Sonia added, peering through the car window. "Even during festive periods, the roads aren't this packed."
"We've been here for almost an hour," Rejoice groaned, pressing her palms against her face. "Oh my days, I'm beginning to get pissed off."
Elizabeth shot her a quick glance, slightly irritated, but didn't say anything as she focused on dialing Grace's number again.
"Girl, chill," Elizabeth finally said. "The bus doesn't leave until 2 PM. It's still just past 10."
Rejoice sighed. "Still. It feels like we've been here forever."
Just as Sonia opened her mouth to reply, Elizabeth's phone buzzed, and Grace finally answered.
"Hello! Grace, where on earth have you been? I've been calling you for hours," Elizabeth said, lowering her voice to avoid drawing the others' attention.
"Sorry, my phone battery died," Grace shouted, her voice crackling through the speaker. "I had to find somewhere to charge it. I was worried because I knew you'd try to reach me."
"Why is it so loud on your end?" Elizabeth asked, frowning as she struggled to hear.
"I'm already at the bus stop. The crowd here is insane. I haven't even made it inside the main gate yet. I'm still at the checkpoint," Grace said, raising her voice even more to be heard over the background noise.
"Wait, checkpoint? At a bus stop?" Elizabeth raised her brow.
"Yeah, they're doing some kind of check-in process before letting people into the main gate. Maybe it's for security or order," Grace replied, chewing loudly on gum.
"Oh, okay. We're stuck in traffic, but it looks like cars are starting to move. We should be there in about an hour," Elizabeth said.
"Alright. Just don't forget to call me when you arrive. An adult could get lost in this crowd," Grace warned. As she spoke, a girl brushed past her roughly.
"No problem. Talk soon," Elizabeth said, ending the call and tossing her phone onto her lap.
"Thank God!" Rejoice's father exclaimed from the front seat. "Looks like we're finally moving."
"Finally!" Rejoice leaned her head back in relief. "I nearly lost it back there."
"It's past 11 AM now," Rejoice's father said, glancing at the dashboard clock. "We should arrive by noon."
"Thank Jesus," Elizabeth muttered under her breath.
As the traffic began to clear, the car picked up speed. Everyone relaxed a bit, the tension easing. The mood in the car lightened until Rejoice's father pointed toward a roadside cafeteria.
"Are you girls hungry?" he asked, his eyes lingering on the restaurant sign.
"Yes, Dad," Rejoice admitted, "but we don't really have time to stop now."
"Why would you say that?" Elizabeth protested, picking up a paper and tossing it playfully at Rejoice. "We've been stuck for ages. What's a few more minutes?"
"Look, Elizabeth," Sonia interjected. "I get it, but we're really short on time now."
"Oh please," Elizabeth huffed. "Dad said he's hungry, and I am too. So, what's wrong with that?"
"Girl, I—" Rejoice started but was quickly interrupted.
"Okay, that's enough," their father said calmly. "No need to argue. We'll get something small at the bus stop's cafeteria instead."
"Yeah, that makes more sense," Rejoice agreed, flashing a smile at Elizabeth. "We will get snacks and drinks at the bus stop cafeteria ."
"And what if there's no cafeteria at the bus stop?" Elizabeth said sarcastically, knowing very well there would be one.
"Girl, don't be ridiculous," Sonia said, resting her head on Elizabeth's shoulder. "It's a major school bus stop. There has to be a cafeteria."
Elizabeth leaned slightly away, clearly not liking the closeness, and muttered something under her breath.
"Ugh, I really can't stand Rejoice sometimes. Always acting like she knows everything." Her eyes narrowed as she gazed out the window, lost in thought.
Nearly fifty minutes later, they finally arrived. Sonia jumped up in excitement.
"Finally! We're here!" she shouted, nudging Rejoice awake.
Rejoice stirred slowly, blinking her eyes as she adjusted to the sudden brightness. "Wait, we're here?" she asked groggily.
"Yes girl!" Sonia said, practically dragging her awake. "Wake up, we made it!"
"Thank God," Rejoice's father said, stepping out of the car and stretching. "Let's go, girls!"
The three teenagers remained in the car for a moment, scanning the surroundings.
"Okay, we're coming," Elizabeth said, opening the car door.
Rejoice's heart began to race. "I'm feeling nervous," she whispered.
"You need to calm down, Rejoice," Sonia said. "We're just arriving, not giving a TED Talk."
"But you used to get anxious too," Rejoice said, raising an eyebrow.
"Just because I look excited doesn't mean I'm not nervous," Sonia replied. "I've just decided to live in the moment. Look around—everyone else looks happy. Don't be the moody one. You're stepping into a new phase of your life—own it."
Rejoice nodded, trying to absorb her words. Their father called again from outside.
"Are you two still in there?"
"Sorry, Dad! Just having a quick chat," Rejoice replied, adjusting her glasses.
"Move, girl," Sonia said, shoving her lightly.
"I'm moving!" Rejoice laughed, stepping out.
"Finally! It took you guys forever to get out," Elizabeth huffed, folding her arms.
"We were just talking," Rejoice said, walking toward the boot.
"Whatever. Let's get someone to take our bags to the checkpoint," Elizabeth replied as she dialed Grace again.
"Can't we just carry them ourselves?" Rejoice asked, confused. "It feels like we're stressing the staff."
"Rejoice, look around. Everyone has staff carrying their bags," her father explained. "It's the system here."
"Oh. I see," Rejoice replied, rubbing her neck.
A young lady in a corporate outfit walked up to them, clipboard in hand. She smiled warmly.
"Hi girls! Welcome to Salem Fashion Designing School, Bus Stop 2," she said professionally.
"Nice meeting you," Rejoice's father said, shaking her hand.
"Where are your bags?" she asked.
"In the boot of that car," Elizabeth said, pointing.
"Perfect. Please proceed to the checkpoint. The staff will bring your bags shortly," she said with a cheerful smile.
"Alright," they all chorused and began walking toward the checkpoint.
As they walked, Rejoice took a deep breath. The surroundings were buzzing with students and parents. Everyone looked so alive, so full of anticipation. Her nerves began to calm as Sonia nudged her.
"This is it, girl. We're really here," Sonia whispered.
Rejoice smiled back. "Yeah. I guess we are.
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