Prairie Dreams

The rows of desks reminded Anne of a marching band on parade, all lined up in the same direction facing the conductor. In one hand he held a meter stick. Anne half expected him to twirl it into the air and catch it in his other hand. That would make this class a little more exiting, she thought to herself. Looking down at her open textbook, Anne tried to figure out what page she was supposed to be on. She thought she was on the right page, but she wasn’t quite sure. Mr. Woodwright was talking about Canadian immigration, and Anne couldn’t help but think that if she recorded Mr. Woodwright one class, she could play it before bed to help her sleep better.

"Anne!" The sound of her name snapped Anne’s head up, her eyes connecting with her instructor. "Anne, eyes up here please." Anne nodded agreement, pretending that she had been paying attention all class.

"I know where we are Mr. Woodwright," Anne said in her most convincing voice, "You’re talking about immigration." Mr. Woodwright looked at her for a second before running his hand through his gray hair and beginning again. ‘Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah,’ was all Anne heard as she watched the bushy mustache bounce up and down. Each time Mr. Woodwright’s eyes glanced in her direction, Anne would simply nod her head and pretend she was listening. I wonder what he would look like without a mustache?

At the sound of the bell, Anne nearly leapt from her desk and hurried out of the classroom. Fighting for a position amongst the growing number of students in the hallway, Anne pushed her way to her locker. As she reached down to spin the dial on her combination lock, a familiar voice spoke from beside her.

"How was Wood’s class?" Sarnjeet's deep black hair was an absolute contrast to Anne’s light blond colour. She too was spinning the dial on her lock, obviously eager to get home.

"Oh like so boring, as usual. I’m so glad its Friday." She let out an exaggerated sigh to emphasize her point. The two lockers sprung open almost simultaneously and the two girls began to quickly empty their books.

"So what are you doing tonight?" Sarnjeet asked as she swung her now full knapsack onto her shoulder.

"Not much. Kevin was supposed to have a party tonight, but I think he bailed or something. What about you?"

"Same. There’s a wedding at the temple tomorrow morning and my mom wants me to help her make samosas." Sarnjeet waited for Anne to close her locker and pick up her own knapsack before heading towards the doors.

"Kay, well give me a call if you feel like doing something."

"Kay, later." Sarnjeet pushed open one of the two double doors exiting the south side of the building. She lived near the school and could walk home. Anne, had to catch the bus.

Stepping off the bus, Anne heard the same hissing noise she always did when the bus driver closed the doors behind her. An orange leaf slowly fell out of a nearby birch tree. Anne watched the leaf as it danced its way back and fourth, slowly descending to the ground. The orange leaf was a sure sign that winter was coming, and the sooner winter came, the sooner the ski hill opened. Sometimes Anne felt that Fall was the best time of the year because it meant that winter was just around the corner. Other times she wished she could skip right past Fall and jump in to winter.