The miles and miles they traveled seemed unending to April. It was only supposed to take half a day to get to Harrisburg, but it seemed so much longer. She couldn't wait to be freed from this stuffy prison. Thick black smoke billowed about her from the leisurely passengers cigars and her legs were cramped in the small space. She had more problems than just that however. She fretted about her new home and the strange school she would be attending. She had no idea what it would be like. What if the other students didn't like her? What if they teased her and called her names?
She tried to push the bothersome thoughts away, and gazed out the window. She watched as the last bit of familiarity she had always known slip from her fingers like grains of sand. She wanted to stop the train; to shout to the conductor to halt right there, but she knew it was already too late. Much too late to turn back now. Her parents were counting on her to do the best she could to fit in with their rather rapid arrangements.
A sigh escaped from her pink lips and she turned away from the window. She didn't want to see anymore.
She rested her head on the back of the worn, uncomfortable seat, and closed her eyes. She wanted to get some sleep so she would have no more worrisome questions lingering in her mind and heart. It wasn't as easy to get to sleep on a train as she had thought. The swift turns and bumps on the train made it almost impossible. She turned to a more comfortable spot and closed her eyes again.
Finally, she drifted into a deep slumber, but, as she slept, a startling dream came to her. Before her was a dainty, elegant woman of about twenty-five. She was dressed in the finest apparel, and her brown hair was piled in curls on the top of her head. It looked like her hair would topple down at any moment. She smelled sweetly of perfumes and was painted in makeup. But what caught April's attention was her eyes. They were a deep blue. They were such enchanting eyes. Then April was startled when she realized that this wealthy young lady was herself!
She also realized the setting was her home! Her dear home in North Carolina. But it wasn't the same. The little brick home was beaten and worn from the weather and her beautiful white daisies in the meadow had vanished.
The wealthy lady muttered to herself, "I left Harrisburg for this? How did I live before?" And with that, the wealthy woman vanished, and April awoke from her dream, her heart pounding.
April glanced wildly about, wondering where she was. Then she was reminded that she was on a train headed for Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. She also remembered what she was leaving behind. She buried her face in her arms. This couldn't be happening to her. She told herself over and over again that she wouldn't allow herself to change. She would still be the same. She would still love her dear home, and she would keep her promise to return. It was all just a big nightmare.
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