Made Perfect

1

The sound of my own heart pounding filled my ears. The sound might've been echoing throughout the room. Sweat made the sheets stick to my skin as I laid there with my eyes on a foreign ceiling. I knew I needed to be awake soon, so I refused to look at the time. That would just make it worse. My mind was already in overdrive, thinking about everything my future held. A future that was only hours away.

I should've been happy. Knowing that in less than a full night's sleep, all of my dreams would come true should make me over the moon, but my anxiety drowned me. A mix of emotions I can't even identify. My breath got heavy as my mind played it's game with me. I did it. I really did it. Soon, the project would start and I'd finally be worth something! The paperwork was done. A week of consideration and worry led to... well... something. I had no idea what the Hope Cultivation Project had to it. Experimental learning techniques, weird teachings, or whatever. Thinking about the possibilities led me nowhere closer to knowing, so I forced myself to stop thinking about it. At least that part. I kept asking myself why they would choose me. The only answer I got when asked was "because you're the most physically strong and mentally devoted out of your class." Still not sure what to think of that, but I took it as a compliment. I read all the fine print in those documents. Every excruciatingly vague detail. Extremely secretive.

I understood why I wasn't allowed to tell anyone, but I felt like such a liar. Couldn't even tell my parents. I told them some bullshit about how I'm doing some specialty classes and if I did good the tuition would be waived. They bought that. Easily. Somehow. When I said I was moving into a dorm, Mom asked if they just now let reserve course students have those. I lied again to her, saying only the ones attending these specialty classes have the option. She just smiled at me with that sweet look she would give me when she knew I was doing my best. Pity mixed with warm happiness. When she gave me that look, I often thought she felt disappointed that her only child came out to be such a nobody. She had such a personality compared to me and Dad.

As I laid there, closing my eyes to force in some sleep, I thought about how much I miss her. The small talk to ease these feelings would be better than laying in this echo chamber of self loathing. I thought about what look both my parents would give me once they see all the talents I randomly obtained. How proud they'd be that their money 'didn't go to waste.' Then I thought about Nanami's expression when I would tell her how suddenly useful I am to society. Another thought about all the new friends I could make that couldn't get bored of me in a couple weeks. Laughing weakly as a smile crept on my face, I couldn't stop thinking. I melted into these thoughts. Finally, my mind let me sleep. For an hour, maybe.

The alarm sung like a happy scream. Getting up immediately, it took my brain a moment to remember I was in some random dorm instead of my normal room. Unopened boxes I didn't bother to unpack scattered throughout it. I suddenly wondered if I had to lie to other students why I have a dorm if I run into any during this project. Quickly brushing my teeth and getting dressed, I practically ran out the door. Just like I was told, I didn't bring anything but my student ID. Smiling like some kid on his birthday, I made my way down to the front of the main courses' building. I was told someone would meet me there.

4:00 am. This school looked so creepy with no students in it. Uncanny. The darkness of it all made my guts tense up. Something was... off. Really off. As I faced a man I recognized from the steering committee in his designated spot for me, I told myself that I'm just anxious. "Punctual. Let's not waste any time, boy." The man doesn't let me get a greeting in before leading the way. Inside a different building, he walked way faster than I expected him to given his age. "Thank you for giving me for this opportunity." I spoke to clear the silence, although I genuinely meant it. "Oh, but of course! We're scientists, you see. We care about the science behind talent and what it means to give that to someone such as yourself." His reply was like he was still with the other 3 members of his committee. At least the 3 I met.