Hallor Chronicles

CHAPTER XXVIII. - FINAL CONTEST

It is all so overwhelming, being stared at by hundreds of people. Some are leaning against the seats, looking bored. Other students are clapping and cheering for their friends. Majority of them are seated high up on a cascade-type benches that fill the space from one corner to the other. I feel like if I look at that, they will probe me with their eyes, learn my secrets. Luckily, we have to face the opposite side of the gym. The rest of the audience is here and it is still weird to just stand under them, watched like a monkey in a zoo, but it's a less inditmidating amount of stares. This side is split into two halves, separated by a spectator's box prepared for the principals.

The gym is filled with loud chatter until the principals stand up from their fancy wooden carved gothic chairs and walk out of the box to the edge of this platform. Lining up again like they are our military officers and we are getting evaluated, I can't help but feel the preassure, feel so small and powerless.

I get nervous to hear the results, even though I convinced myself I don't care if I don't win. My throat is dry and I need to occupy the jitters by playing with my nails. Principal Idarin is the spokeperson for the group. He congratulates us on behalf of other schools, doesn't waste time and calls for the results to be calculated. He moves hands in a sequence of specific movements and casts a spell.

Waiting for some sort of hologram to appear, I stare at the ceiling and then get surprised by a sudden vibration against my side. It's the pouch, or more precisely, the specters. Something agitated them and they buzz inside, trying to escape. It is useless to try to keep them from running away. The specters push out through the lid and fly away, all into the same direction.

My legs are killing me and I am half praying, half cursing in the head for this to be over so that I can sit down. I almost gave in and dropped on the floor when they said the results are ready. This time, they will be delivered personally by Ms. Edite. She walked up to stand in front of us, right under the principal's box. Rolling out a paper, she holds it in both hands and starts reading the names.

I fight the urge to just lay down on the floor and sleep. Zoning out through the first dozen announced names, I don't know who won so far. I can tell a little bit by the small circles that form throughout the crowd when they go to congratulate their friend. Reilly starts shaking me and I realized I was dozing off. She squeels loud into my ears, almost making me go deaf. With a blank expression I stare at her, then it finally hits – she passed, and so did the Ossilor girls.

Few more names get announced, Corvina and Aideen between them. Ms. Edite also adds that only last one spot remains. My name hasn't been called out yet and I caught less specters than the girls, so I don't expect I made the cut. I finally give in and my knees break from the exhaustion. Plopping on the floor, I lean against my bent legs and decide to close eyes for a moment.

It would be nice if I could rest a bit, but suddenly a body drops on mine. I get pushed backwards until we are both lying on the floor. One body weight, then second... third. Hidden under the multiple people, being squished and listening to their familiar giggles, I am trying to figure out what's going on. I tap on one of the shoulders and they get off, except for one. Moving my head to the side so I don't eat and choke on the red curls, I pat Reilly on her shoulder as well. She gets on all four, hovers above me and keeps holding my upper arms.

Reilly: You made it!

Me: Huh?

Reily: You got into the last stage. We all passed!

Not believing the words leaving her lips, I only stare at Reilly, jaw opened wide. Reilly moves her hands to my cheeks and squishes them, making me pout. Then she changes strategy to pinching and pulling like I am a small kid while she also repeats herself.