Pulling Down Heaven

Surprise! Its a test

One week later Proctor stood on his doorstep- bible under one arm and beanie pulled low to cover his birds-nest hair as he yelled back into the hallway, "Dad! Come on!" He shifted his weight onto his right foot so he could peer further without actually stepping back inside. "We're going to be late!" It was just typical, he thought, that the one week he actually wanted to go was the week that his dad decided to spend three hours doing 'something for work'. Why wasn't he pleased that Proctor was finally taking an interest in this goddamned bible study group?

In honesty, it wasn't the actual group that he was so anxious to return to- it was the new guy, Hale. He'd intrigued Proctor the week before, and, despite his theological blunders, he wanted to see Hale again. If nothing else, it was the first time John had seen another guy with hair as long as his- although Hale's was straighter except for a small curl upwards at the ends.

They ended up leaving almost 30 minutes later than usual, and the car was uncomfortably warm.

"Take your jacket off if you're so damn hot," was the only reply to Proctor's complaints. He looked down at the worn leather sleeves and debated the issue for a few moments before deciding against it. The heat was a price worth paying for teenage rebellion.

When they arrived at the hall the class had already started, so Proctor snuck into the last free seat- coincidentally next to Hale.

"Remembered your bible Proctor? Careful, people might start thinking you pay attention in these classes." Ezekiel smirked as Proctor attempted to sit down as quietly as possible.

"Ah, Mr Proctor, so good of you to join us. You've arrived just in time for a surprise test-" Danforth handed Proctor a sheet of questions and a sheet of lined paper, "try not to embarrass yourself too much."

Proctor took the paper reluctantly and looked around the room. Most students had their paper balanced on folders or even their bibles as makeshift tables. He smiled cautiously at Hale, but it wasn't returned. Hale seemed far away, tapping his pen against his leg and deliberately avoiding any eye contact. Danforth was announcing the beginning and ending times of the test, and going over basic test conditions, so Proctor pulled off his beanie and quickly scanned the test questions. Jesus. He knew Danforth was a tough teacher, but these were impossible. He raised his hand with a forced display of nonchalance.

"Is this open book- or, open bible?" He asked hopefully, earning a few groans from the class.

"If you'd been listening, Proctor, you'd know that it is not, in fact, 'open bible', and I will," this was now directed to the whole class, "be making each of your results known to the whole class and," he paused for emphasis,"your parents. You may begin"

With that, and a panicked rustling of paper, the test began. Proctor skipped the first 3 questions, having no idea what the answers were, and struggled to collect enough scraps of knowledge to answer number 4. The minutes seemed to simultaneously race past and last forever. As he shifted uncomfortably in his seat, Proctor heard sniffing from his left. He didn't look around, because he knew if he moved his head even an inch someone would accuse him of cheating. So after what felt like an eternity and also no time at all, a loud noise finally startled him into looking around.

Hale's chair had to clattered to the ground and he looked up just in time to see the the boy himself running out of the room, shoulders shaking.

"Please keep your eyes on your own papers and ignore the disruption," Danforth glared over the tops of his spectacles, "make sure it is just his score that suffers, not yours."

"What the hell, man"

"Mr Proctor, if you would refrain from using such distasteful colloquialisms I would be most grateful. What appears to be the problem?"

"Aren't you going to help him? He seemed pretty upset." Proctor gestured toward the door. Sure, he barely knew Hale, but it was the teachers job to help when something was clearly wrong. He stood up and let his paper fall to the floor when Danforth's only reply was to look at him condescendingly. "Fine," he pulled his beanie back on and strode towards the door. "I'll help him."