Bus 114

Part II

The other students gave Rose some dirty looks but no one attempted anything again. After a few more minutes of awkward tension, some proctors came in with crates.

"Alright everyone, your test has been individualized according to age. This test will determine your IQ, skills, weaknesses and things of the like. Those of you who pass this stage, will move to stage two...so yeah, lets get started."

The proctors seemed to ignore the "incident" that had happened, and passed out our tests. How Rose was still able to take the test at this point, I couldn’t figure out. But I guess when you have a freebie it doesn’t matter.

I opened the test booklet, which had my name labeled on the front. Page one through eight were instructions, waivers and whatnot. Then, with my distributed number two pencil, I began the test. The first part was math: algebra, geometry and whatnot, nothing too hard. There were fifty questions and we only had 45 minutes to do them, and I didn’t even finish them all. I had three left. The next section was writing: we had to write an essay about why we should survive, it was a strangely narcissistic moment. I pretty much just said that I was smart, capable and able to handle stressful situations apparently. The essay was pretty easy too...and then...the test was over. Just like that, two sections and it was over, this couldn’t have been it. It couldn't have been. I've heard too much about it for to be over already. I skimmed the packet just to make sure I didn’t skip anything, then I looked around and saw a few other kids done too. I laid my pencil down feeling confident, and hoping maybe August was confident too. I took a deep breath and glanced over to Rose, who looked pretty still, it was creepy. The proctor gave his final speech:

"Alright everyone, the test is over. You will all move to the waiting area for the results."

Just like the aid, and guards they all sounded like they hated their job. Everyone stood up and I feel like we all took a deep breath at the same time. Rose was the first out of the room, she moved quickly to the directed room. The rest of us followed the signs but I slowly crept past August's room but I couldn’t tell if he was done already or if they had all left too.

The waiting room wasn’t very soothing; there was a couch, and a soda machine and a radio...that was it. A few kids gathered on the couch, some around the radio and the rest of us were scattered. The room wasn't too big, so someones conversation could be vaguely heard. I figured that if they watched us last time, they'd be watching us again. Rose was in the corner of the room alone, trying to avoid the others. I felt obligated to talk to her, but as I was going to approach her, the door opened. The next group of kids came in.

There was the girl from earlier, with her sister and brother not in sight. Amongst the crowd was August looking calm and collected. I saw him and smiled, we embraced as he came through the door.

"August! How are you? How was the test?," I asked.

"It was kinda hard...But I think I did okay," I replied. We found our own corner of the room to talk.

I told him the seemingly unbelievable story of Rose and the angry students. We spoke quietly.

"When do you think they'll announce the results?" August asked, sort of panicked.

"Soon," I said, "We've been here a half hour and all they have to do is run it through the machine."

"Yeah, I guess." He seemed distracted, but I guess we all were.

"Can I be honest with you?" August asked.

"Of course."

"I'm scared, June. R-really scared." His voice was quivering.

"Me too..."

"How do you hide it?"

"I try not to think about the bad outcomes, I try to think about the good possibilities. Maybe we'll both leave and continue our lives. We'll all leave here and return home--" I was interrupted by August.