The Ultimate Test

One~

I smoothed out my red dress, which my mother forced me to wear.
She tugged at my hair in an attempt at forming a braid, but was losing the battle against my thick hair. Hopefully, it would at least be out of my face.
I was one of the oldest graduates of Five Lakes Colony, being 17. The only one older was my friend, Connor.
Honestly, he was my only friend.
He was also the smartest, strongest, and tallest of the graduates. I was the shortest, him being an easy foot or two taller.
"Finally," my mom sighed in relief as she maneuvered the hair tie around the end of the braid. "I swear, your hair is too thick."
I smiled and stood up and looked in the reflector. My ginger hair was neatly braided and went around and laid on my shoulder. It reminded me of copper. There was a few lines of freckles that dotted across my nose, and my blue eyes shone a little brighter than normal. "It looks good."
I turned back to her and tears were in her eyes.
"You're graduating...." she said and started sobbing. I held her in a tight hug, which she returned with a hug of her own.
"Alright, I approve," my older brother, Nathan, said as he walked over while wearing a purple tunic.
I rolled my eyes at him. "I don't care if you approve or not."
"Hey, I'm trying to keep you safe from the bad guys," he smiled and I rolled my eyes at him again.
"I think she looks really pretty!" my younger sister, Paige, said as she walked over.
Nathan picked her up. "I do too."
Paige was wearing a light pink dress and white tightish pants.
My mom wore a dress kind of similar to mine, and my dad had on a fairly similar outfit as Nathan.
"It seems like she was just starting school yesterday," my dad said and pulled me into a side hug. I smiled at him.
"C'mon, it's about to start soon," Nathan said while walking out the door with Paige still balanced on his hip.
I followed him while holding my mom's hand. My dad trailed behind and kept a conversation going.
I kept asking Nathan questions about the Testing. He was a candidate and went to the University. He was also extremely lucky to be placed back in Five Lakes.
We walked through grass and over uneven roads, their pavement crumbling with each step taken on it.
I watched the sky as we walked, the sun bright.
We finally got to the center of our colony. People normally didn't come here often, unless they needed to trade something for something else.
My smile widened when I spotted Connor in the huge wave of people. He saw me too and walked over, also sporting a purple tunic.
"Hey Anna," he smiled and I smiled back.
"Connor. I guess you can clean yourself up after all."
He chuckled. "I guess you can too."
I rolled my eyes at him. Honestly, we both come from poorer, less developed parts of the Five Lakes Colony. Therefor, we usually wore hand-me-downs and sported some sort of dirt throughout the day.
"Come on," he said and pulled me to the stage where the other graduates of Five Lakes were already gathered and some were still walking over.

After a lot of boring speeches about crop yielding and something or another, the time came for what most of us were waiting for.
To see if any of us would be testing candidates.
I looked around the crowd in hope of a Tosu Official.
"Please...." I whisper, loud enough for me, and apparently Connor to hear. He squeezes my hand and I smile lightly.
"Thank you all for coming today," Magistrate Owens then says and I frown.
I remember there being a Tosu Official two years ago when Nathan graduated.
"Well.... at least we're graduated," Connor says, trying to look on the bright side, as he usually does. That's one thing I really like about him.
"Yea..." I sigh.
Nathan walks over, a look of relief on his face.
"Mom, dad, and Paige are going home now so Paige can get to bed," he said, answering the question of the absence of my parents. "They said I had to hang back with you."
"Anna Sarveki and Connor Endress?" a male voice asked behind Connor and I.
Nathan's easy gaze turns cold and Connor and I turn.
It is a man, and he's wearing the uniform of a Tosu Official.
"Yes," Connor says, picking up my lack of words for confusion.
"Follow me," he said and I looked back at Nathan. He gave a stif nod to me before Connor and I followed the official.
We went into a big building and down several halls and through several doors. I tightly held onto Connor's hand as we wove through the unfamiliar building.
I noticed my palms were sweaty and tried letting go of Connor's hand to wipe off the sweat, but he held tight and gave me a gentle smile. I nodded and wiped my left palm on my dress.
We finally stopped at a big room with several couches. I saw three other people sitting there already. They were other Five Lakes graduates that I recognized.
The sweet and beautiful Kira.
The confidant and popular Brandon.
And the quiet and lonesome Gerald.
Connor and I sat on a couch across from the one Kira and Gerald were on. Kira was attempting a conversation with him that he always cut short by not really responding.
"Thank you all for coming on a very short notice," Magistre Owens says.
I glance around the room at everyone else.
Gerald glances from the ceiling, to the wall, and to the floor.
Kira and Connor seem to have a conversation using their facial expressions.
I glance at Brandon and he winks at me.
My face flushes and I looked away and at Connor and my hands, which are still together. I blush more and quickly let go of his hand. I don't think he notices.
The official unfolds a piece of paper and clears his throat.
"Every year, the United Commonwealth reviews the achievements of the graduates in all eighteen colonies. The top students from that pool of graduates are brought to Tosu City for Testing to attend the University. Being chosen is an honor. The graduates of the University are our great hope — the ones we are all counting on to help regenerate the earth and improve our quality of life. They are the future scientists, doctors, teachers, and government officials." He lowers the paper and looks at each of us in turn. "You five have been accepted to the Testing."
I smile widely, overcame with excitement.
I see Connor smiling as well. He looked at me and excitement was obvious on his face.
"You may all bring two sets of clothing to change into. Two sets of undergarments. One set of nightclothes. Two pairs of shoes. And two personal items. No books or papers of any kind."
He passes us each a bag with the same United Commonwealth symbol.
"You all leave tomorrow morning."
My smile is quickly replaced by a frown.
"You must all be present before sunrise. You're excused."
Connor stood and pulled me up and out the door. As we walked down the barren dirt paths to our houses, I break out of my confused state.
My bag repeatedly hit my leg.
Connor was silent during the walk.
"I guess I'll see you in the morning," he said as we got to my door. His house was a little further down the road.
"Yea," I agreed and he squeezed my shoulder reassuringly.
"It'll be ok," he promised and I nodded, believing him.
He smiled slightly, and I did as well.
Our eyes locked and I felt something bubble up inside of me. I quickly pushed it back down and looked away.
"See you," I said and pushed open my door. He stood there as I closed it behind me.
I soon heard his footsteps against the dirt as he walked away.
I leaned against the door and bit my lip.
What was the feeling I felt?
It couldn't be me liking him....
Even if I did, I highly doubt he liked me too.
But what if he did?
I shook my head at the thought. That was crazy. He was one of the better looking guys in the graduated class, with shaggy blond hair that sometimes fell against his eyes, which were a stormy gray. He was tall, and had a nice build also.
I shook my head again, snapping out of my trance. I needed to focus....

A/N-
The only reason I used the Five Lakes Colony was because it used to be Michigan.
And I live in Michigan
And stories never usually take place in Michigan!!!
So, yea, I just had to.
AND I LOVE THE TESTING!!!
Anyway..... I hope you guys enjoy!
~ Karl 🌈