What lasts
By Emme Chau
As I avidly gazed in front of me, anticipation swept through my body. Like a drumbeat, my heart pounded frantically against my body—twenty Scouts, maybe more, gathered in groups, conversation sparking between them. The air seemed to crackle with restless energy on a Saturday morning. Bikes were either held steady by eager hands or were leaned against the kickstands, their chrome handlebars glistening in the sunlight. Upon the minute hand of my watch hitting 9 o’clock, the Scout leader briskly gathered everyone.
“I will be taking attendance,” stated the Scout leader. “And right after, we will begin our journey!” We acclaimed in exhilaration, and one after another, acknowledged our presence as the names were announced.
After what seemed like eternity, I mounted my bicycle and equipped my helmet that my parents had bought only a few weeks prior, with my toes scarcely resting on the concrete floor. Setting out on the biking trail felt rejuvenating as we pedalled in the morning sun. The autumn breeze, carrying the scent of woodsmoke, softly swept across my face. I glanced to my side, and a scenic view of the tranquil ocean with the majestic mountains appeared before me. My friend, Jaymee, was just ahead of me, her bright, red jacket against the pale green of the leaves.
“Stop cycling so fast! I can’t catch up with you!” I exclaimed.
“Haha, that’s too bad, let’s cycle faster!” Teased Jaymee, pedalling at an even faster rate. I deeply sighed, rolled my eyes and rushed to catch up with her. Ahead, a tunnel opened up to me, and I plunged inside.
“Weeeeee!!” I exclaimed.
The abrupt steepness forced me to brake, I felt as if I was a bird, soaring through the overwhelming wind. Then, reality hit. My thighs felt a vicious fire as the tunnel floor tilted upwards. Legs shaking, I pedalled and pedalled until I ultimately burst out the other side, my eyes squinting in the brilliant sun. Wow, am I in heaven? I thought. In that moment, the Scout leader’s voice pierced my ears and brought me back to reality.
“We will be taking a short break, so let’s rest on the sidewalk.” Announced the leader, and Scouts in front of me began riding up to the sidewalk in a single file, until it was my turn.
Then, something happened--- A sudden rush of adrenaline shivered through my body, twisting and turning as blurry images flashed before my eyes. Ow! Before I knew it, I was lying on the rigid floor with my bike on my side. Everything occurred like a blur. The first thing I heard was a concerned yell from no other than Jaymee.
“What happened? Are you okay?” Shrieked Jaymee.
“Yeah.”
My attention was drawn to a faint red stain on the rim of my white sock. My gaze dropped to my knee, now a puddle of blood. It streamed downwards in droplets, only to be replaced by a new set emerging from the surface. My fallen figure caught the attention of the Scout Leader as she hurriedly scurried over. Her gentle touch warmed my shoulder, and together, we headed our way towards the small but prominent first aid hut.
Despite its compact size, it had a heartwarming atmosphere. The nurse’s affectionate smile lit up the room, and I could feel their eagerness to assist. Immediately at the entrance, the chattering of an elderly person and a nurse at the front corner caught my attention, the worry in his voice dispersing as the nurse comforted him. A few more patients, ranging from young to old, were present. The nurse led me to an empty seat next to the elderly person.
With a bottle of antiseptic in her hand, she gently poured it on my knee. Shockingly, it did not sting at all. The nurse’s face was calm while she went to grab a bandage, but my mind raced. It converted her placid expression into a blur of bad news. Is the wound deep? What if it stays as a scar this entire time? What do I do? My mind races through a million thoughts, and finally, she opens up her mouth.
“And you are all done.” The nurse affirmed, her voice gentle and smooth while she wrapped my wound in gauze. All the tension in my body was released in one great rush of air. I calmly thanked her with respect and a warm smile. By the time I was done, the first aid hut was almost empty. I glanced at my watch; it was 4 p.m. It’s almost time to go home!
The second I stepped out of the tent, the world felt . . . quieter. The boisterous chaos of the Scouts was gone, and was replaced by the soft chirp of birds. My knee had this perfect, puffy white bandage wrapped around it, and had begun to throb in rhythm. I spotted Jaymee casually on her bike, her sole figure kicking at the dirt out of boredom.
She glanced up and grinned, “Hey, the leader dismissed us, it's time to go. Wanna go home together?” Offered Jaymee.
A small shock of kindness went through me. It was a simple offer of kindness, like the kind you make without a second thought, but in the raw vulnerability of that t, it felt profound. The Scout Leader dismissed the troop, but she had stayed for me. “Sure, I don't know what I would do without you.” I grinned.moment, it was profound. The Scout Leader had dismissed the entire troop, but she waited just for me.
“Really?” I exclaimed, the word with more relief than I had intended it to be,
“I would love to.”
“Perfect!”
With each pedal I took, the fleeting daylight slipped away. As I glanced to my side, the silhouette of Jaymee was there. In the quietness, memories began to race through my mind, not of what happened today, but of her. I saw us as girls, running around the playground playing chase, sharing secrets on the bed. As I turned to the final stretch of road that led to my house, I took this moment to let the day settle in. Today will just pass like any other day, just like a square checked off on a calendar. But the heart thinks differently. The enlightening view, the scraped knee, the one who stayed. This is what lasts. So many things happened, but I’m glad they did. Every single piece. I thought, at last.