The Final Mark

Chapter 13

     Five days left.

     Mai repeated exactly what she did yesterday, but with today. She studied hard and quizzed herself all day long. Nothing was much different. She challenged and pushed herself as far as she could go, hoping that it would all work out in the end.

     Four days left.

     Mai woke up in the morning ready. She had packed all her books the previous night and started to head to school. As she walked out the door Aiko was waiting there in her car. Mai hoped in and the two of them headed to school. Even though it had only been two days.

     “So where were you Saturday,” asked Aiko as they drove.

     “I stayed home,” said Mai.

     “How come?”

     “It is more peaceful there.”

     “There are plenty of peaceful spots in the school. People are studying now. I know you got stuck in the classes with the ones who don’t care, but you can go anywhere.”

     “I know.”

     “Then why didn’t you?”

     “It’s more relaxing and there is less stress at home.”

     “Right, because you aren’t in a…”

     “…school,” Mai completed Aiko’s sentence. Aiko nodded and kept driving. “How has your studying been coming?”

     “It’s been good.”

     “You ready for your exams?”

     “I am. It’s a bummer you missed yours thought. Stupid Kait.”

     “Well it isn’t really too much of a problem.”

    “Yes it is,” said Aiko as they pulled up to school. She turned to Mai. “You have always wanted to get into that college.”

     “Ya, but I rescheduled the test.”

     “What?”

     “I am taking it this Friday.”

     “How?”

     “My mom stopped by the school and explained what happened.”

     “That’s cool!”

     “But I get a ten percent reduction.”

     “Not cool!”

     “Listen Aiko,” said Mai. The both got out of the car and grabbed their items. “It is fair. I missed the test. I should get a penalty. I will just try harder. I really want to pass this exam.”

     “Why do you want to go to this school so much,” asked Aiko as they walked up to the doors of the high school. People were coming from all over the place. They had books upon books with them and backpacks filled to the brim.

     “I like it a lot.”

     “No duh, but why?”

     “For one it has a music program.”

     “That’s awesome,” said Aiko.  “You still into singing?”

     “Of course,” said Mai to Aiko like she was an idiot.

     “Anything else?”

     “They have a great Psychiatry program.”

     “Do they, I didn’t know you were into that?”

     “I always have been, but I have been a lot more in the past month.”

     “How so?”

     “Well,” Mai started, “After my experiences the past month I have realized what pain was. The scars and pain will never truly leave me. It wasn’t a pleasant experience, and I certainly do not want anyone to have to deal with that. That’s what I want to do in my life. Make people happy again. Turn those who suffer into those who strive. I do it for the kids as life always makes you want to throw in the towel. I want to make them realize that every time they fall they only get strong. I don’t want them to be alone like I was. I don’t want them to end up like that. I want to save as many people as I can. I want to make an impact on people’s lives. I want people to one day look up and say to me, ‘because of you I didn’t give up’.”

     “I missed you Mai,” said Aiko.

     “What do you mean?”

     “You’re back. I really missed you.” Aiko hugged Mai and started crying. Mai hasn’t really seen Aiko cry. She was shocked at first.

     “You okay,” asked Mai as she hugged Aiko back.

     “It’s you changed so much when you depression hit and I thought I was going to lose you. I thought this exam and your anxiety were going to take you away from me, but you’re back and I love it so much!”  Now Mai was crying.

     “I missed you too Aiko,” said Mai. “It’s good to be back.”

     “Break up the show and get a room,” called a voice from beside them.

     “Shut up Kait,” they both said in unison. They laughed together. Kait just sighed and walked off.

     “Let’s get to studying. Not waste any time,” said Mai.

     “I agree,” said Aiko. They both turned and walked up the stairs to the school.

     Three Days Left

     Three more days. Mai woke up Tuesday as ready as ever. Her routine was the same as it had always been. She got up, headed to school with Aiko, studied, came home with Aiko, and studied more. That was all she did today: study, study, study.

     Two Days Left

     When Wednesday came around it was all the same yet again. She studied hard and harder with each day to come. Hoping that she can pass this exam. This was going to be her moment to shine.

     One Day Left

     Mai woke up on Thursday as nervous as one could be. She was just as anxious as if she was just about to take the test itself. Her worries started spreading to everything. She had to have everything be perfect. She had to get perfect sleep, eat perfect food, study perfectly, so that she could do perfect on the test.

     She had a little bit of a sweat going on all day. She was that nervous. IN less than 24 hours she would be taking the biggest test she had ever taken in her life. Not only that, but she now has to do that much better since she has a ten percent reduction.

     The whole day was just anxiety. During every hour she worried. She worried during lunch, and studying and at home. It was all that was on her mind. She was doing so very well, but now she was starting to fall apart again. Only one day out, yet she didn’t fully want to do it, she didn’t want all of this to be for nothing.

     She started her best to push the anxiety away, but she let most of it come at her. She figured if she could let it attack her a lot today it won’t affect her at all tomorrow. That is what Mai feel asleep too. She went to bed at 10 to wake up at 6 to take a test at 6:30. This was it. This was her time to shine. Out of all the grades and marks she’s gotten this will be her finally one. This is her final mark.