It was an average week for Coraline, and that made it excruciatingly boring. The weather had been perfectly lovely all week, and she had been stuck inside. One announcement over the PA made her perk up.

      "Dress down day $3."
       
        Finally, a chance to get out of the drab and hot (and sweaty!) grey uniform of Ashland Academy! Coraline ran to the bus and the ran off when it reached her stop. She dashed upstairs to find some money. She had $3 exactly. She put it aside and picked out her outfit for tomorrow. She found the star sweater from the Other World (made by the Beldam, but still nice!), and some jeans. She became so excited, she ate all of Charlie's mush he had made. Her mother looked at Charlie, and he shrugged, confused.

***

       The next morning, Coraline's alarm clock rang. Coraline groaned and sat up. 8:00 already? She got out of bed. Through her bedroom door came the muffled sound of the weather downstairs.
  
      "Today the weather should be balmy and sunny. The rain clouds near Oregon are blowing away to Washington and rains are predicted for Astoria; enjoy your weekend, Ashland!"

      Coraline changed into her clothes and rushed downstairs. Her mother had her laptop and folder at the kitchen table and was already busy typing away.

     "Hold on Coraline, where's your uniform?"

     "Today's a dress down, so I can wear these."

     "OK, but make sure you can pay for it."

      Coraline looked in the cupboards. There wasn't much, just some bland bran cereal and some stale bread. Coraline just grabbed a bottle of orange juice from the fridge and began to rush out.

     "Coraline, don't forget your bag and at least-"

     "Take my multivitamin, I know."

      Coraline swallowed the bitter-grape flavoured pill and picked up her bag.

     Her mother got up from the table. "I have a meeting to go to." She grabbed a small bag and left with Charlie, who was outside.
"
     'K, bye," Coraline called. She remembered to get her folder with her homework. She went back to her room to get it. After searching for ten minutes, she heard the bus outside. She dashed downstairs. Luckily, her folder had somehow found its way onto the kitchen table and she stuffed it into her bag. She grabbed her "exploring hat" and ran out the door. The bus began to leave.

    "Wait!" she shouted. She ran towards the bus which began to slow down, but she tripped and fell into the dirt. She pulled herself up, and ran onto the bus.

    "Now Caroline," the bus driver said, "You have to hurry up. This is the second time this month."

     She sat down. Behind her, some weak giggles were shared. She turned around and yelled, "SHUT UP!" and they fell silent.

    "Caroline, control yourself!" the bus driver shouted.

    "CORaline," she muttered.