Tested

Chapter 1

"Isabel I have to tell you something." Alex says. I think nothing of it and wait for her to speak. "They're coming for you now." I feel tears well up in my eyes.

Chapter 1

It's time. Time for the test I've been studying for my whole life. The test to decide wether I am worth the air I breathe or not. My name is Isabel Perry and I'm fully ready for the challenging test of Breath. What ever happens to me will be my fault and my fault only. If I'm meant to stay alive I will but if I'm not... so be it.

I had a sister, Elizabeth but she wasn't strong enough to make it through the test and well she died. I don't know how the government doesn't allow anyone to watch except one family member. My Mom went to watch and left me home all alone with my little brother Adam who was only seven at the time. I was about ten. The day you go and take the test is first week of June when you are 17. You only get three weeks to prepare for the test but I've secretly been studying since I was about 11 because my parents didn't want me to die like Elizabeth. And today is the test.

It seems like a normal day at school with my two best friends Willow, but we call her Wila, and Alex. The only thing is that the teachers don't give us any homework this week and we get to spend lunch with certain people. I am to spend lunch with a brown haired strong boy named Adain, a short shy girl named Jen and a boy with bleach blond hair and pale skin named Jordan. Also lucky a boy named Liam that I've known since I was two is sitting at my table. He has black hair and blue eyes with tan skin.

When lunch comes around I look for the table marked with the letter 7-13 which stands for what number we got for when we are to be tested. I'm number nine. I quickly find my table and take a seat next to Adain and Jen. I bring out my lunch of turkey and cheese on wheat bread and a small slightly green banana. I start to eat but quickly realize no one elts is. They both stare at me and slide a piece of black paper with white writing on it towards me.

It says that if we make it though the test we are going to be separated from our families and taken to be trained for another test. "What?" I say, "Why would we have to take another test!" I shout. It's just not fair! We only had to take one test and that ones bad enough.

What will happen if I die in the second test? Will my family be ashamed of me for getting passed the first but only to fail the second. What will become of me?

I'm torn away from my thoughts as I see a girl sit down next to me. Her hair is a blond and she is tall as she maneuvers her legs around the metal supports under the table. Alex. It's Alex, but what is she doing sitting down at this table? She's supposed to be with 20 - 27.

"What are you doing here?" I asked. She replied by saying, " I was switched."  

"Well then who left?" I say hoping it's not Liam. "Jordan did." She replies. Thank god it wasn't Liam or Adain because we need them on this test team. Jordan wouldn't be that useful, and neither is Jen. Now that we at least have Jordan gone and Alex switched, our team might stand a chance. We can just ignore Jen.

I fell someone lightly touch my back and sit down on the other side of me. I turn my head in their direction and see Liam smiling with a bit of his dark hair over his eye. He flips his head in a circular motion to get it back to its original swoosh. "Hey," he says, "why is Alex here?"  

"She switched." I reply. 

"Well then-" He starts but I cut him off by saying, "Jordan."  

I can tell he's relieved because he lets out a huge breath. He obviously knows that Jordan wasn't going to be much use to us. I now have confidence that our team might have a chance at winning. I can't afford to loose. I've been waiting for this. I will not give the test the satisfaction of me choking up and loosing my life. 

"So is everyone prepared for the test?" I hear Alex question causing me to slip out of my gaze. Everyone nods except Jen. We all stare at her in disbelief. How could not know about the test? It's only the most important thing for our survival. How could she not know?! She shrugs as if to answer my question.

"I didn't really pay attention in the class about that stuff." Jen mumbles, barely understandably.

"Didn't pay attention! We are all doomed!" Adian shouts out letting his hands fly above his head.

"I know right! Because of you we will all die!" Liam says from beside me, pointing his finger to were Jen sits now on the verge of crying.

"Guys stop!" I shout, scolding them. "We all make mistakes-"

"Make mistakes! This isn't a mistake this is stupidity!" Adian cuts me off.

"I know but why not use the time we have now before our test starts to educate Jen on the Test." I suggest. Liam shrugs at my comment while Adian and Alex nod their heads in perfect sync.

"Great! Well then I sugest we get started!" I say thinking about what would be most useful for her to learn.