I never liked going to school. Mostly because I always have to get up early. Getting up is probably the hardest thing to do. It requires a lot of effort not to go back to sleep. I'm currently in that situation right now.

You could just say that you're not feeling well. Then you won't have to go to school, and you can go back to sleep, I thought. My alarm went off already. I don't feel like getting up, but I know I have to. Why is it always this hard to get up?

Finally, I made up my mind and decided not to play hooky. I got up and got ready for the day. My room was pitch black. The rouladens made it seem like it was still nighttime. I almost tripped over my keyboard trying to reach the lightswitch. Clumsy me.

I didn't sleep very well last night. I was thinking about school the entire time. I couldn't sleep without thinking about what it would be like. That's mostly what I've been doing for the entire summer. Thinking about school, thinking about coming to Germany, thinking about leaving my mom to live with my dad.

That was both an easy and hard choice to make. I wanted to come to Germany because I like it here. It's very quiet unlike the city. The food is great and the scenery is beautiful.

It was hard because I didn't want my mom to be alone. She isn't really alone, but I know she wanted me to stay. She lives with her sister and my younger cousin. She's staying there until she moves.

Both of my parents work in the military. My dad works in the Army while mom works in the Air Force. Dad used to work in the Air Force, but he got out a couple of years after he joined.

My parents always move. It's nearly impossible to be together without one of them moving a few months later. It's like a pattern. If one parent leaves, I have to stay with the other. When that parent comes back, the other parent leaves. It has been like that ever since I was born. My parents missed my first birthday because they were both deployed at the time. I was staying with my grandma while they were out saving the world.

I don't think we've ever lived together for a single year without one of them moving or going on TDY. But I did get to travel and see the world if one of us moved.

We've been everywhere. Pairs, London, Athens, Rome, and pretty much all of Europe. The tours are fun. We have tons of souvenirs too. Our fridge is filled with magnets from every country we've been to.

I rushed downstairs and put my sneakers on. I had to hurry if I wanted to catch the bus. I need to catch the bus. It's the only transportation I have to get to school. Dad has to drive to work. He doesn't have time to drop me off.

I put my lunchbox in my bag and ate some cereal. I swallowed it all down as fast as I could. I put the bowl in the sink and grabbed my backpack. I took the keys and ran out the door.

" Bye dad!" I yelled before I closed it.

I speed walked to my bus stop. The cold morning air made me shiver. I could see my breath in front of me. I haven't been this cold in forever. It's hot and humid from where I came from. We would have pool days everyday. But over here, it's cold enough to make the water freeze.

The bus stop came into view. I was relieved to see that it had seats. I was already tired from walking. I had to go up and down a hill to get here. The other kids only had to cross the street. With their parents of course.

The little kids came running down the sidewalk. They raced each other to see who would get here first.

" I win!" one of the kids yelled. He smiled proudly.

" No fair! You had a head start!" another kid whined. She pouted at him.

" No I didn't! You guys are just slow!" he yelled. They got into an argument while the other kids caught up with them. The parents were just talking about normal stuff.

" How was your morning, Karren?" one of the moms asked. She was walking her dog. She had a leash in one hand, and a coffee mug in the other.

" Same old, Julia. Wake up, get the kids ready for school, take them to the bus stop. You know, the usual," Karren said. She had a coffee mug too. They were both bundled up in scarves and hats and coats. Germany is freezing. Back in the States, I would've had on a t-shirt and shorts. Not jeans and a sweatshirt.

" Doggy!" the little girl yelled. She forgot about the argument with the other boy, and ran up to pet the dog. All of the other kids followed her. The moms' eyes widened at the sight of all the children running towards them. The children tackled them as they reached for the dog.

The poor dog was whining and hiding behind its owner. It didn't want to be pet at all. It tried to make a run for it, but Julia held on to the leash with a firm grip.

" Be nice Albert," Julia said to it. Albert whined as the kids began petting him. I felt bad for the poor thing. I don't like being bothered either. Especially by little kids. They're cute and all, but they ask so many questions!

" Hi!" one of the little boys yelled to me. He ran over to where I was sitting.

" Hello," I said. I gave him a little smile.

" What's your name?" he asked.

" Raven," I said. The boy's eyes lit up.

" Like the bird?" he asked eagerly.

" Yes, exactly like the bird," I said.

" Cool! I wish my name was a bird's name! That's so awesome!" he yelled.  " My name is, Mark," he said.

" Cool name, Mark," I said. I have to admit, he was a little adorable. He reminds me of my cousin. He always asked questions.

" Hey guys! This is Raven!" Mark shouted to his friends. The kids now ran to me. The dog was left cowering behind Julia. The kids really scared it. The parents seemed relieved that they were running to me instead of them. They both sighed in relief.

Now my eyes widened. The sight of all these little kids running towards me made me feel like I was in a nightmare. Luckily, the bus came rolling around the corner. Perfect timing, I thought.

" Bus!" one of the kids yelled. They all ran away from me, and formed a line on the sidewalk. I looked at the bus to check the number.

#226

Great. I get to ride with the little kids. We boarded the bus. The bus driver checked my bus pass and nodded. I sat a few rows away from the little kids. I chose a window seat. I like the window seat. The scenery was nice. I plugged my earphones in, and played some music.

I love music. It takes me to another world. It makes me feel free. No worries, no hard feelings, no sad feelings. It just makes me happy.

I play piano. I took piano lessons before we came here. I'm pretty good at it actually. I just need to work on note reading.

The bus stopped at a few other bus stops before heading to its designated location. School.