Noel Flair: leadership
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I walked down the center aisle of the bus, gripping the sides of the chair for balance as James carefully weaved through crashed cars that littered the roads.
Teens had stored their bags in the overhead containers and already began kicking out their legs. Some had taken their shoes off, sending waves of body odor into the air.
I leaned over Enoch as I passed his chair. “At the next possible spot, we are making every single person in this bus take a shower”
I second that,” he mumbled then scooted closer to the window, gazing at the passing scenery.
Reaching the front of the bus, I knelt down next to James. “Thanks for doing this.”
He nodded, not saying a word or taking his eyes off the road.
I turned my head to inspect the older teenage boy.
Around the age of seventeen, he had short brown hair and piercing blue eyes. His calloused figures told the story of hard work and dedication. James wore a leather jacket over his t-shirt, but it appeared to be more used as a security blanket than for warmth. He rarely talked to anyone and mostly kept to himself. I was surprised I even knew his name.
“Is it scary?”
I almost jumped at the sound of his voice but quickly recollected myself to reply. “What is?”
“Being leader.” He nodded to the loud teens in the back. “Having them look to you to make decisions.”
I shrugged. “Yeah. A little bit. It’s a lot of pressure. I just don’t want to make the wrong choices.”
He breathed deeply before speaking again. “I don’t think you will make the wrong decision.”
“And why do you think that?”
Because then you wouldn’t have been chosen to be our leader.”
Enoch walked up to us, interrupting our conversation. “I can drive for the next hour.”
James nodded his appreciation as he slowed the bus down to a stop.
He and Enoch quickly swapped spots and within moments, the bus was moving again.
James choose an empty seat near the front and reached into his bag, pulling out a small notebook and sketch pencil.
I stood slowly and began returning to my seat in the back. I had not even reached the end of the bus before the small space exploded with light.
JAMES HAS FOUND HIS FLAIR – ART
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