vandrophobia

The Repair

Two more days until the deadline passes. I've checked out the next test, but I have no idea what it means.

TEST THREE: Level (Hard)

THE REPAIR: This is where it ends.

Is it me or do these test descriptions just get more and more vague?

I walk into class and I see an abnormal amount of girls gathered around a common desk. And when I say abnormal, I mean ten to twelve girls. Not the normal four or five.

Did Wintar come to school without his shirt on or something?

Wait a minute, why the hell am I even pondering that!?

The moment I pull my chair out to sit, the entire group of girls simultaneously turns to face me.

Hi?

Ever seen those National Geographic shows where the lion steps onto the meadow and suddenly all the antelopes' heads turn? Same thing. Except freakier.

"I knew you were cruel," a girl says to me shaking her head.

Well, only when I tenderize my meat…

"It's people like you that I hate the most!" another girl snaps.

Something tells me this isn't about meat.

"I can't even look at you!" I hear a shout from the back of the pack.

To be honest, I don't think you can from where you're standing.

"Wintar?" I say, searching for an explanation.

The girls part, lining up on each side and as I walk the mere three feet to his desk, I feel like I'm on death row. Wintar is hunched over his desk, his head shaking slowly.

"Um, what's going on?" I ask.

Wintar pulls out a piece of paper and holds it up to my face. "This."

I reach for the paper and take a look. A wave of despair sinks in.

Wintar Cammin,

It has been brought to our attention that Lira is a conniving girl. Before you disagree, we have two cases to prove it. She intentionally asked you to dye your hair black simply to see if you would actually go through with it. Second, she requested you help her for the marching band knowing very well you couldn't play an instrument and that the uniform you would wear was putrid. Why did she do all this? To test if you truly liked her. Our group all agrees this was a very underhanded thing to do and we all felt it necessary to tell you the truth about Lira.

With Love (especially Python),

Your Entourage.

"What is this?" Wintar whispers.

Uh.

Um.

This would be the perfect time for Twix…

Need a moment? Chew it over with Twix.

I NEED A MOMENT!

"Lira," Wintar repeats. "What is this?"

Okay, let's be calm and rational.

"It's not what you think," I explain. "It was never to trick you! You see, Python wanted to check using these 'tests'…"

I stop.

"I mean, if I wanted Python to never bother me again, all I had to do was give you these 'tests'…"

I stop again.

"There are just these three 'tests'…"

I go silent.