Priscilla Sum

Part 7--Acceptance

On Monday, I headed into Natural Sciences with my nerves amped up to 110% of their normal levels. I smiled when I saw Tony's face by the door, but when I got closer, it became obvious that he wasn't feeling so good.

He tried to shake off the pained grimace and smile for me when he caught me staring with concern all over my face.

"Hey, Pris," he grunted, reaching to hug me. "How's it hanging? You ready for this?"

I hesitated, with my head resting on his shoulder, until I could feel his heartbeat. At least he still had that.

"I'm as ready as I'll ever be," I replied. "What about you? How are you feeling?"

I looked up into his face, which held way more lines than it should have. "Me? Oh, I'm fine," he kept his tone upbeat, though it rang hollow. "Just... Last night I had trouble sleeping. It's probably nerves."

Yeah, or the disease that's slowly poisoning your blood, I thought, but, being a good friend, I accepted his answer and walked into class alongside my friend.

I slid into my seat in Mr. Gorden's classroom with my eyes locked on the stack of papers beside him. He went through the day's lesson in his methodical way, but I barely heard him. I did make sure to jot down the disjointed phrases that fell on my ears, but for the most part, I was entirely tuned into the prospect of the quiz coming at some point during this time block.

"... That concludes today's lesson," Mr. Gorden calmly closed his textbook. "Those of you who are not staying for the quiz from FRED may disperse to your classes. For those who choose to remain, please wait for a moment while we get everything set up."

I fiddled with my locket as a team of proctors filed into the classroom and headed straight for the pile of papers.

"These are representatives from FRED," Mr. Gorden announced. "They'll be proctoring the quiz and if you have any questions--provided they are nothing pertinent or specific to the actual test material--you can ask them at any point outside of the actual examination period."

I waited with my pencil in hand while a severe-looking woman with straight red hair and elongated features laid a packet on the table in front of me. "FRED Archaeological Competency Evaluation Quiz", it said across the front, with the acronym "FACE-Q" below it.

The proctor at the front held up an extra copy of the quiz. "You may now turn to page one," he said, "and fill in your personal contact information."

The whole exam went that way. The proctor gave directions in that methodical, steady voice, and the others just stood at the side of the room, staring at each of us, from the front of the room to the back. They had their rotations timed so that at any given moment, every one of us felt that at least somebody was watching us. I guess the pressure was thick enough to deter any cheaters--but that didn't stop a couple people from attempting to cheat, based on the way one of the extra proctors would approach one student, remove their test, and escort them from the room, all without saying a word.

I caught the eye of the girl sitting next to me and snorted. What exactly did they have to prove, trying to cheat on a competency exam to go stay in the middle of nowhere for a week? It wasn't like this was a luxury destination!

Somebody moaned, and my eyes wandered toward the sound. I saw Tony sitting two tables in front of me. He was leaning heavily on his arm and rubbing his face. Concern nearly pulled my focus away, but I wrenched my concentration back to the questions. Just a few more to answer and then I had the rest of the time to work on my essay.

Tony groaned again, and the noise carried through the mostly-quiet auditorium. I felt the nervousness tugging at my own insides, but I took a deep breath.

Everything's fine, Pris, I told myself. I can worry about this later. He'll be fine.

I started on my essay as the first few people began walking forward with their completed exams. I jotted down my outline, sorting my thoughts along the framework, just like I'd practiced. The words flowed from my pencil, and I got to the last paragraph just fine. When I stood up with my test packet, I saw Tony staggering up the aisle just ahead of me. His legs wobbled under him, but he managed to stay upright.

I placed my exam on the table at the front of the room and looked toward the door just in time to see Tony crumple into a heap in the hallway.

Somebody screamed, and people started yelling. By the time I reached him, somebody had already rolled him over and was working on trying to revive him, while someone else alerted campus security and called for an ambulance.

"Tony!" the security officer shouted, but my friend didn't respond. I watched in frozen horror as the paramedics arrived with sirens blaring, and loaded Tony onto a gurney with an oxygen mask strapped to his face. They wheeled him out to the waiting vehicle, shouting assessments to each other all the way.

About three minutes after they pulled away, it was over. Staff began directing us to our classes, assuring everyone within earshot that it was all taken care of.

I went through my next three classes in a fog. By lunchtime, I had recovered some of my wits--which was good, because on my way out of Kent, I saw Mr. Gorden heading toward me with a letter in his hand.

"Miss Thiele!" he cried. "I'm glad I've caught you. I have something." He handed me the letter.

I saw the return address, labeled with only the Fortune Research and Educational Development logo, and the city--Athens, New York. No street address, nothing. But there was my full name, Priscilla DelVento-Thiele, and my address.

"What--" I looked up at the professor with a frown. "What does this mean?"

He grinned at me. "I think you know what it means," he said cryptically.

My mind spun. "But sir--what about Tony?"

He patted my shoulder. "They've taken him to Advocate Health. He'll be fine, I'm sure. Don't you worry! I won't keep you any longer. See you in class tomorrow, Priscilla." He kept walking down the pathway.

I stuffed the letter into my bag and headed for the path toward the park. Don't worry, he said? I couldn't help but worry! Tony just told me a few days ago that he was almost certainly dying, and now he just passes out in the middle of school--and I was supposed to believe he would be fine?
>>>>>>>