Beyond City Limits (Under Revisions)

Chapter 3: THE TEST

The suitcases are lighter than what I expected. Its weight is like how I feel. Yesterday's nervousness is gone, and I feel weightless. Last night, my dreams were full of stars. Sneaking back into my house was easier than I thought it would be. Everyone was asleep. I guess that's what happens when you haven't done anything this bad before.

Though deep down I feel bad about using my parents trust like this, but it was my last night before the ITF, before my future. And I have no regrets.

Besides when Andrew passes, it won't matter what they thought about him before.

I haul the suitcases to the front porch. Mother and dad are eating breakfast, and even though my nerves are gone, I don't trust myself to eat anything. Mother hasn't said anything about last night, and I never mentioned the Practice Test. However, after sleeping on it, I chalk up my jitters to the atmosphere in the library. I was overthinking it. Besides, there are going to be more questions on the Test, and that'll help my score.

I leave my luggage where it'll be picked up and brought to one of the training facilities.

I glance around my neighborhood until I spot Andrew's house. He's also pulling his luggage on his porch. My heart goes into my mouth while a blush floods my cheeks. Memories of his hands and his mouth makes my breathing become ragged.

He stands there a moment and stares at his luggage. The early morning sun shines on his shoulders, making them look heavy. The promises he made yesterday are as far away as the look in his eyes. My gut twists a little, but I push the feeling away.

He can do this.

His parents join him on the porch. His mother wraps her arms around him. His father wraps his arms around his family. They are very still, and quiet. None are crying, and it doesn't look like any of them are sad. Andrew's father and mother look proud.

I turn away and go back inside. My heart beating fast for a different reason.

My parents are waiting for me in the kitchen.

My father gives me a brief hug, "You'll do fine." He holds me out to study me. "We'll visit you as much as we can when you get settled in the ITF."

I nod my head and give him a confident smile.

Mother walks me to the door. "Don't overthink anything. Remember, you've studied for this your whole life."

"Don't worry. I'm ready."

I put my hand on the doorknob, but my mother's hand shoots out. "Give strong answers for the Personality Section" Her eyes bore into me. "Think about what a strong leader would do."

"Don't I always?" My chuckle falls flat.

"You can always choose your own path. Don't let anything get in your way." She waits before letting go of my hand.

"I won't."

My mother watches me walk down the steps. I feel her eyes burning the back of my head before I turn the block.

***

My palms are cold but wet, and I can't seem to dry them on my pants. I look at the people around me, all looking straight ahead at the registration table. There are no whispers, no words of encouragement. No one can look each other in the eye. I can't even bring myself to look for Emma or Jessica. We had promised to meet each other before the Test, but I couldn't. My stomach feels like it is about to fold in on itself, ad it rolls over and over. Idle conversation doesn't seem like a good idea.

The line shuffles forward. People from my class and other schools are mixed together. People I have partied with, studied with, and went to games with don't recognize me. They all have blank faces. The sounds of shuffling clothes and tapping of shoes puts me more on edge. Waiting is slowly killing me.