Late

• Lucy Coxsedge, Grade 5
• Short Story
• 2018

The music blasts loudly, bouncing off every material it can find. My eardrums burst as I hit the floor ready to do my favourite move. The crowd goes wild as I tumble across the cold, brass tiles. TICK, TOCK, TICK. I can hear the faint sound of the clock ticking the background and that’s when I remembered my time was up.

My heart skipped a beat as I raced out of the colourful room. All I could think about was how angry mum would be if she noticed I was late. Then a voice stopped me. “ Where are you going Lucy?” She questioned. I wanted to answer but I knew I had to go.“Um….are… just down to the station,” I answered hoping she would let me slip past. She thought for a second, then finally let me through. My heart sank back into the right place as I continued on.

As I arrived at the train station, I glanced up at the train timetable. “Sutherland, Mortdale, Penshurst, OATLEY!” I muttered. I looked down at the arrival,
“TEN MINUTES!” I yelled at the top of my lungs. A cold shiver ran down my spine. Now I was really frustrated. I peered down at my watch.“Its 11:45 pm, I have 15 minutes,” I whispered as my nerves overtook my muscles. 5 minutes had past and the train still hadn’t come. CHOO, CHOO. The sound of a slight train whistle raced towards me.“It’s here!” I said, breathing a sigh of relief.

After I stepped of the train, it was 11:57pm. VROOM! A white mini car raced past me with the number plate: BTO859. Oh No! It was my mum. I had to get home ASAP. I ran home as fast as my little legs could carry me. My heart was beating like mad as I dodged, 3 light poles and 5 pedestrians. I was happy, excited, scared but mainly nervous. I sprinted up the driveway, jumped in pyjamas and then flopped in bed.

The clock struck midnight as I breathed a sigh of relief. I could hear mum’s high heels clattering against the pail wood. MY EMOTIONS WERE FLOWING OUT OF MY MIND. Then mum walked in, “Oh! Your home early, your curfew was at 1 am.”