Dreams of an Absolution

Pass or Fail (Episode 55)

"We gotta go back for Tim!", Jessica exclaimed to Brian and Maxwell. The three of them were walking to the stadium alongside the rest of the passing participants. Staring up blankly at the snowing, white sky, Brian confidently said, "Don't worry. I believe in Timothy."

Jessica looked down to the side with a concerned expression and replied, "I don't know dude. I mean, how come he hasn't been answering any of our calls or texts. It isn't like him at all man."

Brian put his hands behind his head and smirked. "Jeez Jessica. You seem really, really worried about him, huh?" Jessica smirked back and replied, "Well duh dummy. Aren't you? He's our little bro."

"Nah. Like I said. I'm sure he'll turn up. He worked too damn hard just to bail out," replied Brian. Brian then glanced over to Maxwell, who was staring forward with zero expression.

"How come you of all people is so quiet right now Maxwell? You nervous or something?", Brian teased. Maxwell turned around and gasped in offense. Repulsed, Maxwell replied, "I? Afraid? Preposterous! The great Maxwell fears not a soul!"

"You sure dude? That sweat on your forehead is saying otherwise, and there ain't no way that's from heat in these temps," Jessica joked. Maxwell quickly turned around to wipe the sweat off his head.

He then swiftly turned back to Jessica and replied smirking, "Whatever do you mean dear Jessica? I do not sweat! See?" Jessica giggled and responded, "Whatever you say dude."

"Take a look at it guys," said Brian, stopping to admire. Maxwell and Jessica both looked up to see the tall, looming stadium wall. Their mouths remained open as goosebumps formed on their skin.

Brian continued, "Just beyond this huge entrance, will be our last obstacle to overcome. After everything we've worked so hard and so damn long for, this is the accumulation of all of it. Let's not mess it up."

"Wow, nice prep talk bro. Gave me some chills man. No joke," said Jessica with a calm grin on her . Maxwell put his arm over Brian's shoulder and remarked with his typical cocky smile, "What a wonderful speech! Reminds me of my great and almighty self! Bravo Brian! Could be louder though. Now, let us commence forth!"

Meanwhile, the first round for Timothy, Lucas, Rodger and Lexi had continued. What followed after the speed track station was the typical gym training stations.

From dumbbell lifts, to crunches, to running on treadmills, the four continued hard at work in the gym for over 25 minutes. Spending about 3 minutes at each station.

The placement score of each station always seemed to remain the same among them. Rodger in first, Lucas in second, Lexi in third, and Timothy in last place. The order had never changed. This didn't discourage Timothy however, considering he still barely managed to get through each station with the lowest, passing grade.

Before they knew it, they had reached the final training station, and based on what they saw, it appeared to be the easiest. With a small white line near the start, and more white lines vertically parallel to it going down the whole gym, it made it pretty obvious that this was the famous ball throwing exercise. Ms. Tommy was the teacher in charge of this final station.

"As the four of you can probably tell, this'll be the final stage of the first round tryouts. Y'all could also probably tell this station is gonna determine how far yous can throw this ball here in my hand. Catch!"

Ms. Tommy abruptly tossed the ball straight up into the air. Rodger sprung into the air without hesitation. Before the other three could even process her tossing the ball up, they felt a strong wind gust smack them in the face from Rodger's high leap.

Almost up to the ceiling of the gym, he snagged the ball out of the air, gripping it tightly. For the split second in mid air, he glanced down to see the teachers watching in awe. This made him smirk, before he landed back down hard onto his feet and one hand on the ground. The other holding the ball.