by Gary Mei

Created on: April 28, 2008

The sharp cry of the alarm clock brought the girl's hands to her ear as she tried to block out the sound. The sound meant that another day had come, and another day meant another few hours spent in school, where she would listen as the teachers continued to mumble on. Already, Lisa could hear her mother coming to make sure she was up. No choice then.

She got out of bed. If her mother caught her still sleeping, then there would be another cry ringing out, but it would be hers this time.

Bam! Bam!

"I'm getting ready Mom! You don't have to check up every day."

"Knowing you, if I didn't come up, you'd still be asleep."

Lisa quickly got dressed. Her mother wouldn't be gone for long. As soon as her mom was getting done getting her little brother to wake up, then she would check to see if her daughter was awake yet. Walking down the stairs, Lisa could smell the wonderful scent of pancakes. It wasn't all bad in the morning. There was always the food that her mother made in the morning.

Lisa ate the warm breakfast that only a mother could make. She savored every bite. Nothing at school tasted like this, and it would be hours before she got any real food. As Lisa walked to her book bag, she realized that she hadn't done her homework again. The teacher would yell at her and her parents would get a call again. The day was already starting out bad. There would be hell to pay when she got home.

As Lisa walked out the door, she noticed that the neighbor's dog had gotten through the fence again. And this time, it looked like it had rolled over her mother's flowers. Her mother would be very angry and wouldn't be in a good mood. This wouldn't help when she found out that Lisa was failing three classes. Lisa shook in fear.

After what seemed like an eternity, she got on the bus. As usual, the bus was crowded and there were few seats. Lisa didn't have any friends who took the bus to school, so there was no one to reserve a seat for her. Lisa would have to stand, and the school was over twenty minutes away! She reached for a place to hold on to, but all of them were sticky.

Lisa got gratefully got off the bus. There was still a five minute walk ahead of her and she was already late. Lisa hurriedly ran for school. If she was caught late, she would be humiliated again. Last time, she had to run laps around the school for 20 minutes.

Lisa soon slowed to a halt, for the school loomed into view. The school was easily the tallest building in town. She was surprised that the building hadn't fallen down yet. The structure looked as if it was entirely made out of flimsy wood. Lisa started to walk to the school.

She opened the door of the school building and walked into hell.

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