Nell stared out the window, observing the buildings for the millionth time. She didn’t know why she always devoured the scenes within town. It’s not like she hadn’t seen them everyday on the way into school. Mrs. Lally was pulling out the first loaves of bread at the bakery. Mr. John was always setting the tables at the diner. Miss Hopkins was always taking her dog for a walk. The regularity killed Nell’s soul. She wanted so much more than routine sights and the same daily ongoings. She turned to her carpool, Michael, as they passed Mrs. Lally.

“Stop the car.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m getting out, getting a chocolate croissant, and disappearing from this place.”

Michael simply stared. “You have to go to school. And besides, why would you want a chocolate croissant? Eclairs are superior.”

“Michael, this is exactly the sort of reason why you’re single.”

They pulled up to a stoplight next to the bakery. Nell grabbed some coins from the dashtray and darted out the door. She made it all of two feet before colliding with Mrs. Lally.

“Oh! Good morning dear,” the older woman said. “What on earth are you doing rushing around in this manner?”

“Escaping Michael and school in search of chocolate.”

The light turned green and Michael was forced to pull over.

“Nell! Get in the car! You know we have to be early to get a parking spot-we don’t have time for this.”

Mrs. Lally laughed. “Well, isn’t he a bossy one? Go along now, dear. I’ll save you both a croissant for after school.”

Nell huffed. At least Michael wouldn’t get his eclair. She sauntered back to the car, pulling herself back into the pickup. Michael hit the gas and they were off again towards Nell’s personal purgatory. 

They made it all of a quarter mile before being stopped by another red light. A red camaro pulled up to Michael’s scratched pickup truck. Michael huffed this time, turning towards Nell.

“Look who just pulled up besides us. The dream team.”

The highschool’s star basketball player and the head cheerleader both laughed, and waved at Michael. They ignored Nell.

“Do you see why I hate school? Half the people don’t even know me.”

“I’m sure they just didn’t see you,” said Michael. He rolled down the window.

“Max! Good to see you!” he said.

“Hey, man. How you doing? I see you’re still driving around...um..” he stammered. “Um, good to see you, man. See you fifth period.” He awkwardly rolled up the window as his cheerleader-girlfriend giggled.

“See?” Nell said. “I’m practically invisible. At least the chocolate croissant would have understood.”

Michael laughed. He stepped on the gas again. “The eclair would have understood more. Besides, if people don’t know who you are, they can’t annoy you with stupid conversation or questions.”

Nell sighed. Why did Michael always have to always be so supportive of school? And eclairs?

They hit another red light, this one by the diner. Of course. It was going to be that type of day. Mr. John saw the pickup and stopped setting the tables. He approached, motioning for Michael to roll down the window. 

“Michael! Nell! You simply must come inside! I just tried a new quiche recipe and I need some testers.”

Mr. John was the sort of man who forgot about school, bills, and traffic regulations.

“Good morning! I would love to try your quiche. Unfortunately, Michael here is dragging me to school,” said Nell.

Mr. John grimaced. “Why, Michael, force that upon such an already smart, attractive young lady such as Miss Nell here?”

“So she can come out of her introvert world. Besides, it means she gets to spend some time with me in the morning. And it’s the law.”

“That’s a rather silly reason, Michael.”

Thankfully, the light turned again. Michael hastily hit the gas. He wasn’t a fan of Mr. John. 

Nell, obviously, had to have a different opinion. “I like that man. He has spunk.”

Michael shook his head. “Who could think quiche is better than learning about bio or calculus? Isn’t mental nourishment superior and more substantial than physical nourishment?”

Nell laughed. “I love when you say things like that.”

Michael blushed. “They say that sort of thing in class too, you know. You just have to pay-DANG IT!” They had hit another red light. “We’re not going to be early enough to get a decent parking spot.” 

Nell giggled, turning towards the window. Miss Hopkins was there, walking her dog. No. Dogs. Nell quickly rolled down the window. 

“Miss Hopkins! You have a new friend.”

“Nell! Michael! My two favorite juniors. Yes, this is Sandy. I adopted her last night.”

“She’s gorgeous! What breed?”

“An australian shepherd. Look at her eyes. See how one is blue and the other brown? Gorgeous, huh?”

Nell agreed. The light turned. “Bye, Miss Hopkins! I’ll be by later to meet your new pup. I would now, but someone is making me attend class.”

Michael laughed. “That pup was cute. Her blue eye kinda looked like yours.”

It was Nell’s turn to blush. “I’ve always want a dog. Maybe an australian shepherd would be cool.”

“How about after school, on the way home, we stop by the animal shelter? Visit some dogs?”

“Yeah, I would like that.”

They made it through two stop lights this time. Just enough time for Elton John’s song “Tiny Dancer” to play. The music filled the beat-up truck, escaping through the open windows. The song ended as they were stopped by a third light. Billy Joel’s “Uptown Girl” came on. A blue convertible pulled up.

“Yo, what’s that trash you're playing in there?” a male voice called up. The convertible was heading towards the school.

“Who-” Michael started. He was cut off by Nell reaching for his hand.

“That ‘trash’ is a classic, William. Only uneducated swine would think otherwise,” Nell stated.

“Well, if it isn’t quiet Nell Sanders. About time you said something,” William said.

“I’m sorry I don’t simply talk for the pleasure of hearing my own voice unlike some people I know.”

“I didn’t even know you could talk,” William retored. He laughed. 

“Listen here, William. Nell-” Michael again stopped as Nell squeezed his hand.

Will laughed again. The light turned and he drove away. Micahel slowly accelerated this time, clearly trying to calm himself down. He didn’t like William speaking to Nell that way. He certainly didn’t like seeing her be attacked like that.

“Have any tests today, Nell?”

“Nope. They were all yesterday and I already turned in my essay. See, I do kinda care about my education,” she said.

Michael smiled. “Okay, good. My stuff is taken care of, too.”

Michael reached the next light. He turned right. School was on the left.