Train to School

Ethan’s morning had gone from bad to worse. His alarm hadn’t gone off, his toast was burnt, and now he was sprinting down the street, bag bouncing against his shoulder. The train station came into view just as the announcement echoed through the air — “Platform two, last service departing in one minute.” His heart Select an answer sank thudded leapt raced .

He dashed through the gates, fumbling with his ticket, and nearly collided with a man carrying a briefcase. The man shot him a look that could have Select an answer apply strip peel fade paint. Ethan mumbled an apology but didn’t slow down. The train doors were still open — for now. He lunged forward, leapt aboard, and the doors slid shut behind him with a hiss. He had made it, by the Select an answer skin hair edge tip  of his teeth.

Panting, he dropped into a seat, clutching his backpack. Across from him, an elderly woman eyed his wild hair and untucked shirt with mild amusement. “Rough morning?” she asked kindly. Ethan gave a weak grin. “You could say that. I’ve been Select an answer in the loop out of breath up the wall on the run  since I opened my eyes.”

As the train rattled along, he tried to Select an answer steady clear collect gather his thoughts. There was a maths test first period, and he hadn’t revised as much as he should have. He reached into his bag — and froze. His pencil case wasn’t there. “Oh no,” he muttered, “I’ve really Select an answer done it lost it blown it missed it  this time.”

The old lady smiled. “Don’t worry, dear. We all have days when everything that can go wrong, Select an answer has will might does .” Ethan laughed despite himself. Somehow, her words made the disaster feel smaller. When the train slowed at his stop, he stood and thanked her. “I’ll just have to Select an answer make for it roll with it run after it deal with it ,” he said, half to himself, and hurried off toward the school gates.