Zane ran from his bedroom, one sock on one sock off. He threw his backpack over his shoulder and slammed the front door. Sprinting down the pavement, his eyes locked on the bus turning the corner. He ran as fast as he could.
The bus doors closed just before his fingers reached them. Zane stopped and took a big breath, watching the bus pull away.
He thought: I need to wake up earlier tomorrow morning.
The next morning, Zane checked his bag zipper, buttons his jacket, and walked to the corner at a steady pace.
He stopped at the pedestrian crossing, lifted his head, looked left and right and left again starring at the busy road. Cars zoomed by. A bike bell rang and neighbor's dog barked from a porch.
He stood and waited at the end of the road, tapped his sneaker against the pavement while the robot light timer counted down.
Suddenly, a truck came speeding around the corner and the driver's eyes went wide. Its tires screeched and the driver slammed on the brakes. Small stones flew across the road, and Zane quickly stepped back.
Zane quickly jumped back as the truck stopped just in time. He looked down at his own feet, then up at the truck with its engine rumbling like thunder.
He stepped back from the pavement, and the truck driver gave him a slow thumbs up through the windshield.
Zane knew he had to be extra careful next time. Make sure to use the pedestrian crossing, look both ways when you cross the street and be patient. Soon the walking light turned green and it was safe for him to cross. Zane held on to the bus rails as he climbed onto the bus.
He settled into his seat, opened his bag, and smiled at the sight of his perfectly packed lunch and water bottle.
Every morning after that, Zane checked his bag, walked to the corner, and remembered that being safe was more important than being in a hurry. He stepped onto the bus the next morning with a quiet grin. Ready, on time, and safe. Zane was never late for the bus again.
