Maybe Next Time
Huff. Huff.
Thud-thud.
Huff. Huff.
Thud-thud.
My bus.
I was going to miss it.
My bright pink spirals bounced up and down as I ran towards the bus station.
People in work clothes walked past me, heading the opposite direction. I pushed past them, squeezing my way through.
The light turned red, making me come to a halt. The cross-signal flashed red.
I rested the weight of my body on one hip as I looked around.
I glanced at the bus, making contact with the driver. Maybe if he's nice, he will wait extra minutes for me.
I couldn't miss the bus today. Mrs. Pham will kill me.
I had missed the bus three times already this month, and the month had barely started. And eighteen times in September.
Mrs. Pham will not hear my excuses this time.
She already thinks I lie whenever I tell the true reason for being late.
She was scary.
All humans feared her. More than they fear the members of the Zionalma Kingdom.
The light turned green and I sprinted across the street.
The bus pulled away towards the next stop.
My stop.
I ran after, squeezing my way through the dozen people who tried to walk across beside me, finally reaching the other side.
My pupils dilated as the bus pulled in and opened its doors. Several people got on, and it waited.
Good—good.
"Anthonio!"
I turned towards the voice.
A child crossed the road, chasing after a dotted ball.
I didn't look left or right.
In the heat of the moment, I forgot about the bus I was definitely going to miss.
My feet moved on their own, racing towards the kid.
I jumped in front of him, activating my pink, shiny barrier.
Nothing.
Screechhhh!
A high-pitched noise of rubber scraping against the road echoed.
The smell of burnt rubber hit my nose.
"Anthonio!"
The woman—who I presumed was his mother—rushed over.
I pulled the shield back, and it condensed into the tiny waste capsule the arena provided.
The child was unharmed. Good.
I glanced at the reckless driver, who never even stepped out.
I tilted my head slightly.
He almost hit a child.
A human child.
Wasn't he worried?
Didn't he fear the law humans always preach about?
"Baby!"
She cradled her son in her arms.
Human parents always seemed so expressive.
They hugged.
They cried.
They shouted.
Everything was visible on their faces.
I liked that.
I smiled faintly.
My bright emerald eyes met hers. This was one of the few times I had been this close to a human before—other than the other human tenants that live in the apartment complex.
I awkwardly raised a hand, waving at Anthonio, who was gazing at me.
Her eyes lingered on my skin.
The warmth vanished from her expression.
The woman tightened her grip on her son.
As if I might take him.
My smile fell slightly.
Right.
Of course.
I lowered my hand.
"Come on, Anthonio."
She hurried away as if I were a contagious disease.
I continued to smile.
It wasn't the first time.
Probably wouldn't be the last.
At least Anthonio was safe.
Maybe next time.
I stood silently in the middle of the road, lost in thought.
BEEP!
My body jolted as a driver honked at me.
"GET OFF THE ROAD!"
He shouted.
The car that almost collided with the kid drove around me.
I turned around, watching as the bus stop was empty.
I missed my bus.
Again.
Mrs. Pham was going to kill me.
Before that, she'd probably make me clean the entire arena.
Again.
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