Incision of the Heart ✓

Chapter 32: The MCAT Test Day

The dawn was hesitant, a soft gray stretching across Baltimore as if the world itself was holding its breath for hours to come.

The MCAT-the exam that defined futures, forged careers, and consumed countless sleepless nights—was here.

For Emily, the day carried the weight of every hope she had ever dared to dream and a nervous energy she couldn't quite shake.

She stood by her apartment window, staring out at the quiet street below.

The city looked deceptively peaceful, as though it didn't know her heart was a riot of anxiety and anticipation.

The sharp scent of freshly brewed coffee wafted through her small room, but she couldn't bring herself to drink it. Her stomach twisted too tightly for anything but water.

A knock broke her reverie.

"Em, it's me!" Liam's voice called from the other side.

She smiled despite herself, crossing the room to open the door. There he stood as if the universe had decided to send her a little slice of calm before the storm. Liam was dressed sharply in his favorite navy hoodie and dark jeans, a Harvard baseball cap perched slightly askew on his blond hair.

"Morning," he said, flashing her his signature grin. "Ready to conquer the world?"

"Only if the world takes multiple-choice answers," she quipped, grabbing her bag.

He laughed. "Fair enough. Let's get this over with, shall we?"

---

The car ride to the testing center was quiet. Liam fiddled with his phone, scrolling through a playlist he had curated specifically for the day.

"Alright," he said, holding up his phone like it was a holy relic. "I've got two options: pump-up jams or zen vibes. What's your poison?"

Emily glanced at him, her lips twitching into a smile. "Zen.Zenn."

He nodded, hitting play, and soft piano melodies filled the car.

It wasn't much, but it was enough to stop her hands from shaking for a moment.

Liam glanced at her, his brow furrowed slightly. "Hey," he said, his voice low. "You've got this. You've been ready for months."

She met his gaze, the warmth in his eyes grounding her. "Thanks, Liam."

"Anytime," he said, leaning back in his seat. "You can pay me back by buying me a celebratory pizza when we're done."

---

The testing center loomed like a fortress, its gray walls and heavy glass doors designed to intimidate.

A cluster of students milled around the entrance, their expressions ranging from determined to panicked.

Emily clutched her ID and test registration printout, her fingers tightening around the edges.

Liam walked beside her, his calm demeanor a stark contrast to the tension in the air.

"Breathe, Em," he said, nudging her shoulder gently.

"I am breathing," she muttered.

"Not like a normal person," he teased. "You sound like a marathon runner at mile 20."

She let out a shaky laugh, and he smiled. "That's better. Let's do this."

They checked in, their IDs scrutinized before being ushered into the waiting area.

The sterile scent of the room and the muffled sound of keyboards only heightened Emily's anxiety.

She glanced at Liam, who gave her a reassuring nod before they were separated into different testing rooms.