The Next Bell

The courtyard was empty, and the air was warm. The patches of green grass, dripped with water from the sprinklers. The sun beat down on the empty concrete stage. The world was quiet, with the occasional bird or student as they continued on their way. Gym students left the locker rooms and ran through the courtyard as the bell rang. Students and teachers flooded the yard, hurrying to their next destination. Girls rushed to the bathroom, and boys stopped at the water fountain. One girl tripped and her books and papers scattered everywhere. One group of kids dropped a hackey sac off the balcony to their friends below, a teacher having seen the transaction went after the fleeing adolescents. After a few minutes the courtyard began to empty. A few people ran to get to their class, other lingered in conversation or in the sun's rays. One couple shared a sweet kiss before parting separate ways. When the bell broke the peace. Empty again, the yard was still. A few seniors sat under trees doing homework, talking, or playing guitar. A few even played catch across the stage. Eventually even they left to go their own ways. The sun shone down on the finally empty yard, until the next bell.