The End is Near

Chapter 2~ The Placing Test

After my party I went into my room. I am EXHAUSTED. After we ate the cake everybody gave me "presents" aka stuff I HAVE to do with them. Like gift cards, and on their card they would put "Oh my gosh Steph I saw these new earmuffs that I really like. They are the new thing. I think you should really get them for me." And so on. Also my mom will have to take half the money on the gift cards for "taxes". You get the point.

So anyway, it is 2:00 and my test is at 3:30. And it takes about 45 minutes to get to the laboratory, so I only have like 45 minutes until I leave this house and possibly sector. I'm getting nervous and I notice that my hands are shaking. I go to the bathroom and wash my face with cold water, then I continue to pack, in case I do leave.

If you didn't know, the placing test is a test when a commuter scans your brain and heart in order to tell which sector you belong in. So after our test we have to put these white dresses (for girls) or tuxes (for guys) on. Then everybody who is turned 14 in the last 2 weeks (I just happened to be born on the last day of these 2 weeks) will be told what their new sector will be. Also, one person can not get the test results of more than one sector.

I finished packing, and looked at my new wristwatch. It is 2:30. I stare at my clock, and then lie down on my bed. "This can not be happening. To fast, I really don't want to go. I don't want to betray my family. I can't", I thought in my head. But then again it isn't my choice, it is my personality's. And I'm not sure if I trust that.

I lay down on my bed for the last time (possibly). Then I get up and walk to the door with my head held high.

•Flashback•

"Be brave Steph, be brave", I hear my dad's voice say into my ear. We are at a park and I got onto the top of a tall slide. "I can't", I cry, "I don't want to". "You have to Steph, I won't always be here for you."

•Flashback ended•

This is what my dad would want. I WILL go to the test. And I WILL succeed.

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•

I walk into the laboratory, not as confident as I walked out if my room just a few minutes ago. All around me there are kids. I stop and stare. There are some from every sector and I don't know what to think.

"Have fun", my mom says. "Why don't you go sit down next to that cute Narcissistic boy over there", my mom suggests. "Mo-Om! Stop", I reply. "Fine", my mom replies in a teasing tone. "I love you honey, don't stress so much. I'll see you after your test!" my mom squeals. "Bye", I grumble.

I sit at a new table, were nobody else sits. After a few minutes a little girl from the Eloquent sector walks up to me. She asks, "Can I sit here?" very quietly. "Sure", I reply. She smiles at me and sits down. "I'm Sabrina", the girl says. "That is a pretty name, I'm Stephanie. You can call me Steph though", I reply.

Just before I was gonna ask Sabrina if she was nervous, a small, short, and plump women walked to the protium in the middle of the room. She clears her throat, "Hello... children. I am glad to see you all are here. I hope this afternoon will go as smoothly as the last placing test/ceremony. You will be called up in the alphabetical order of your last name, and your formal sector. Thank you all, I wish you good luck."

After the lady's little speech, the Benevolent's names were called. Before I knew it the little lady called, "Sabrina Abigail". "Good luck", I said, giving her the biggest smile I could muster. Now it was just me. I waited. The Gallant were called, and before I knew it the lady called my name. "Stephanie Mathews you are up."