Hyena Bells

Hyena Bells
A story about the first day of high school
“Hyeeee!!!” Like a wounded hyena the bell rang. My best friend Ansa and I were in the middle of scrambling to class when we heard the offending noise. It was the first day in a new school for the both of us and we didn’t really understand our way around yet .We were like blind mice looking for cheese in a maze. Desperate and rushing we ran into more dead ends than not. But not only did we get confused by the schools layout, Ansa & I were also confused by the schools bells. In our old school there was only one, and if you weren’t in your seat by the time it rang you were late. Here at Stevenson there were several bells at different intervals, and so it was leaving us freshman wondering whether we were late or not.
So another hyena sounding bell had just rang, and Ansa suddenly stopped. She turned towards me, and had the most peculiar expression on her face. Her hair was wild, unkempt in her hurry. Her mouth was wide, agar, looking like an odd sort of fish. Her eyes were huge (!), round, popping out the sockets, adding to that odd sort of fish look .The overall effect was rather startling, and… slightly funny.
Ansa asked tensely, her voice thick with tremors, “Was that the last bell?!!!”
Many of you probably don’t understand how that would be such a big deal, but then you probably don’t know Ansa all that well either. In Ansas world getting a B is failing a class. It doesn’t matter if it’s a B+, or even 1 percent from an A-. No. Scratch that .An A- is even bad to her .Now she was going to be late to class on the first day of High school, and to the teacher that had already expressed his displeasure of those who were late. Let me explain how he could have already expressed this on the first day, when we were going to be late to class, which means we weren’t even there yet. We- Ansa and I -have B lunch; which means halfway through 4th hr class we leave for lunch, and then come back for the rest of the hour. When the lunch bell rings, then we have to hurry back to class .So Ansa was scared .Frightened really; of being late .Which leads us back to Ansas earlier question .Was that the last bell?
After a moment I answered “Yes. I’m sure.” 80% positive. I continued “But I think we shouldn’t run if we’re already late...” and yet half the words weren’t even in out of my mouth before she took off down the hall; Acting as though I had said to run rather than not to run. Showing surprising agility for someone who hated sports, she weaved in and out of the last few late for class. Those ’’ Last few” who were still in the hall were eyeing her like she had some “mental problems” that seriously needed to be diagnosed. But after a moment they went back to their whispered conversations either forgetting the girl whom had her tongue hanging out while she ran, or letting that memory settle to the back of their minds for a story at the end of the day. All of this happened in only a couple of seconds so maybe, I was reading too much into my intuition and their expressions, but maybe not. In those split seconds I decided to run too. I didn’t want to be the last to class and who knew, it’d probably be fun. So down the hall I went, repeating Ansas weaving motions and sprinting when I was at the very end of it. Wrong move on my part. As I was sprinting at the corner someone else turned it. In surprise I reacted in a quick moment of instinct. I placed my hand on the rough brick wall and pushed off. Though it saved us from impact, the pain that shot up my arm was jarring. As I jumped to my right foot and slid with my left a quarter flew from my pocket and skidded across the floor. My head turned toward the little ring of noise and I noticed the expression on the face of the boy that I had prevented the impact of. He was shocked. His eyebrows were raised so high they almost disappeared into his hairline, his mouth was a silent O. His expression was literally so comical I laughed out loud. Flashing a grin I turned and saw the blood on my hand dripping from my finger tips. I’d scraped my palm. Grinning again I continued scrambling to Spanish class.
When I got there Mr. Kantor was still at his computer not even paying attention to the students. I walked to my seat. After about a minute he asked “Was that the last bell?” No one answered. As a girl walked in and sat in her seat, another high pitched hyena sounding bell rang. “Okay.” Exclaimed Mr. Kantor “That’s the last bell so let’s get started!’’ As he continued to say hello to the class in Spanish Ansa and I looked at each other. My eyes bemused hers accusing. Then, at the same moment we both laughed. It was a joyous sound. Filled with amusement, embarrassment, and adrenaline, everything rang out in loud peals of laughter. Mr. Kantor Cleared his throat. Smiling sheepishly we turned to the Spanish teacher to finish our first day in High School…