The Determining

Chapter 5

When I open the door my father and mother stand up in shock. They probably expected Tommy to come home first. Of course, if I came back then Tommy was sure to return, too.

Right? I mean He is the smarter one of the two of us.

We sat in silence for three hours maybe longer waiting for Tommy, but he never arrived.

My dad got up from his seat, "Blaire you should probably head off to bed, you have a big decision tomorrow."

He leaves the room and my mom moves to sit next to me, " I don't know how he did it but, he must have failed. I am not proud of you and never will be, even though you passed your test." Her voice was harsh and crushes me.

I never heard something so hurtful come from my mother's mouth. I just don't understand. She really favors Tommy over me and doesn't try to hide it.

In my bed I reflect back on my Determining. Trina was acting really weird about something, now that I think on it. But it's to hard to concentrate...
The last thing I remember is asking myself where is Tommy?

My alarm clock wakes me up from a deep sleep. I don't know when, but I fell asleep at one point in the night. I wonder if Tommy came back really late? Maybe my mom was wrong.

As I get dressed walk down the stairs to the kitchen for breakfast, I see Tommy's bedroom door is wide open the way he left it. His usual daily bran muffin is still in the bread basket. That must means Tommy actually failed his Determining.

At that moment I question everything about Tresdil. I grab my brother muffin and run out the door.

I head to the one place I can get answers; the library. If no one will tell me anything, I'll figure it out alone!

I still have time right? Agh, whatever! I don't care, not anymore. The Favoring Service is stupid to me now. I want to see what secrets Tresdil has been hiding. why would they fail my brother? And where is he now?

When I walk through the doors, the librarian gives me a downcast look.

"Late research report." I say flatly.

She nods, "Ah, You're too busy helping others. So busy you could barely help your grade, understood." Self-Denials are always behind in work from helping other people.

I walk to the back, were the computers are. I then change my direction when the librarian's eyes have come off me. I walk right into the janitor's closet.

I know what I am doing. This is my fate.