Don't fall

Chapter XXVI: The Test

            The morning comes and I feel ready. I'm not quite sure if it's ready as in "ready to rock this test" or "ready to fail and spend the rest of my life here". It's too much. Everything is too much. How did my life get so messed up? When did it become a movie? A really questionable movie, might I add. If people hated the age difference in Call Me by Your Name even though it was legal and the aesthetic was quite lovely, imagine what they'd think about us in this Silent Hill looking ass hospital. Although, I will admit Oliver was a fucked-up character and Sarah is nothing like him. Not to mention the author was a mess. Way to go, Rosa, distract yourself!

-Hun? -I hear Sarah whisper. -Are you okay?

-You're totally Elio. -I say as I rub my eyes.

-Who? -She scoffs lightly.

-The skinnier white kid in that gay book. -I yawn.

-Sometimes, I don't understand a single word you say. -She smiles.

-That must suck.

-Not really, it's still fun hearing your voice. -Even as I struggle to stay awake, she manages to rip a smile out of me. -Got everything yet?

-I think so, yeah. I mean, how hard can it be to pretend to be straight? You pretended to be my heterosexual conversion therapist and it was believable. -I joke.

-It was not, you just were blind. -Sar chuckles.

-Well, Sister Monica hired you, didn't she?

-Yes, but who knows what that woman really wants, huh? I'm pretty sure she's some sort of double agent or... I don't know, she's a puzzling woman. -She laughs again, confused.

-I know, right? She has got to have a plan to overthrow Father O'Connell or something. -I agree with a grin.

-Having fun before the test, I see. -Sister Theresa says as she walks in our direction, across the library.

-Yes, ma'am. -I say with a sigh. This bitch doesn't even scare me anymore, I'm just annoyed at this point. -We figured since I'm totally gonna nail this test and move on to the next level, she's not gonna be my therapist anymore. And I'll miss her, you know? She helped me a lot on the journey... Towards, um... "Man sex"? –I joke and Sarah squeezes my leg under the table, trying not to laugh.

-Hernández... -Sister Theresa scolds in shock.

-I'm sorry, okay? I'm still on level one. -God, I'll kinda miss pissing her off.

-Not for long, though. -Sarah smiles.

-We'll see about that. -She looks down at us before turning around and leaving.

-You've been getting way too bold. -Sarah whispers.

-I'm leaving soon, aren't I?

-Yes, you are. -She smiles at me proudly. -Now go. You're late. -She says, gathering her documents from the desk and leaving. -We've worked hard for this. I'm not gonna let you fail because you're lazy! -With final words of her one of a kind encouragement, she finally disappears through the door.

She's right. As usual. God, I hate her. I gather my books and head to Sister Monica's office, shaking to my very core. As it normally goes, I knock and the door slowly opens on its own.

-I told Sister Theresa you wouldn't be late... -Sister Monica smiles, still doing some paperwork on her desk.

-Oh, should I come back later? I'd hate to disappoint her. -I mock and she giggles.

-No need. Sit. -She gestures towards the chair and I throw myself on it. No need for manners today.

-So... How does it work? Is it like a high school chem test? Classroom, lots of chairs, lots of students, a teacher roaming around trying to find cheaters?