38368 day 19

Sara was still trying to figure out what have kids had to do with the mall as they got of the bus. There was another person with a clipboard there, but she was talking to someone. As they waited Sara turned to Abiram. “I didn’t see you when I got on. Did I walk by you?”

He shook his head. “No I was one of the last on. I was going to say something, but didn’t want to interrupt, for fear you would stop talking if you knew I was there. I would have at all but the idea of the gnome. I had to know more. No wonder you glance away now and then in service, or look like you are about to laugh. I wonder if Leader Jordan sees the gnome as well. I swear there are times it looks like the two of you are getting some joke I am not.”

Sara shrugged. “I don’t know, I always thought I was the only one, and wondered why I could.  One of the reasons I want to take a look at some books on the magical beings this week, as well as try and find some if the weather books I can’t get at home.”

Abiram looked like he might have said something to that but the lady with the clipboard turned to them. “Good you are here. We have just enough time to go over things before the tests start. If you will just follow me I will explain how it will work as we walk.”   There was no time to say anything after that, as they headed up to the building she said. “You have all been taking test for years, the rules here are much the same. Everything you need for the tests will be on the desk. Do not touch the booklet until told to start, you may have your bags in the room with you but do not open them for any reason. There will be numbers on the seats, take the one matching the number you are given. The test data will be collected and entered using those numbers. The slips you have are colored. Those colors match flags on the doors. Use that to help you find the right room. If your color is not on a door then you have a break.” She led them into a long room full of tables. “You are welcome to spend your brakes here, there is a schedule of the test posted there, by fining your number you can see how long you have. If it is a longer brake feel free to go across to the mall, they have a large clock so you can watch the time. “Going though the room they came to a long hallway. “The tests well be held in these rooms here. The stairs at the end lead up to the roof. You are welcome to go up there if you need to get a breath of air, or a bit of peace. Now then you need to find the rooms, the first test will start in five, and you all have one. Your bus will be in the lead each time you get on them. Good luck.” With that she left. The kids looked at each other and then started looking at the doors. Being on the bus together didn’t mean they took the tests together. There were four colors of slips among them and only two per room.

Looking around they discovered that shades mattered, not just color. Sara found the room with the pink that matched her slip and called out. “This one is bright pink and pale blue” Then she went in and found the seat with her number. The ones on either side were strangers, but it didn’t matter. There was not enough time to really look at each other, little own say anything, before the proctor was telling them to settle down and look at him. When he said start Sara opened the test book and set to work. She found it was language. She was to read and analyze four pieces of writing. Not overly hard, but a lot of writing. Then there were other questions about the pieces to be answered.

When she came to the end she looked up. The proctor was at her side soon after. “Do you need something or are you finished? He asked softly.

She answered just as softly. “I am done, sir.”

He took the test, “There are thirty minuets tell the next round of tests. Enough time to walk a bit and see to what ever you need to, remember to look at the list and see when your next is.” Sara smiled to show she understood and he moved on, she stood, picked up her bag, and slip out of the room. Then walked down to the far end of the hall, just to know how long it was, before turning around and go back to the first room.

Looking around she saw no one she knew but was glad to find glasses and pitchers of juice, and got a drink. Then went and checked the list. In the next set she had geography, then a long break for lunch. After lunch it was history and math. Oddly everyone seemed to be having the same subjects, but in different orders. “I wonder how they plan to cover everything like this. It seems a bit broad.”

She was surprised to get an answer. “They have changed the way the tests are done this year. They are going to be held over three days, with each day getting more detailed. Well they had to put the bulk science test on tomorrow, but in general it works. All the home economic will be there as well. I think they even have a room for practical tests in cooking.”

Sara said. “Thank you. I was wondering there didn’t seem to be enough time to get it into the two days I thought the tests took.”

She said. “I was stumped as well, and just got the answers. I couldn’t see how we would get the results needed if the tests were in such long blocks. So are looking for cooking or sewing?”

Sara said. “In truth I am more interested in the history tests then either of those. I hope they do not give tests in sewing, or that I do not have to take it. I won’t mind one in cooking, but I didn’t put any of that down on the papers.”

The other girl blushed. “Sorry, I just thought all of you would have. It must be hard to be here. Oh, I am from Hammer, but was in a deferent set of classes than you. Lena and Hanna were in some of mine, and so I know how upset they are about have to be here.”

Sara said. “It is perfectly fine. I am sure that is what the others did, but in truth I never thought about those things as subjects for the tests. So what are you looking forward to?”

She said. “I want to get into Yesvan, for chemistry, fuel development actually. I have wanted to go there since I was ten. Have you looked over the school booths? There is a lot of them, and most have photos set up.”

Sara said. “They do? No I hadn’t looked, but I will, it will be interesting to see what there part of the world looks like. I didn’t think about them having photos, but that would be a good advertising tool.”

Rebecca said. “Sara what are you doing?”

Sara sighed and turned. “Talking about the tests, and you? There will be three days, not two, and the tests will get more detailed. The home economics will be held tomorrow, or some of them at least.”

“I know that. If you had of just paid attention when you arrived. I will be so glad when this is done. Such distasteful mess.”

Sara said. “It was not covered when we got here. We barely had time to go over where we were, little own anything more before we had to find the room for our first test.” She looked at the clock. “Have you had time to check the list? I take it you are in a latter group than mine. I had better be going. I have ten minuets tell my next test starts.”

Rebecca said. “This is all a pain. I don’t see why they had to make it so complex.”

Sara didn’t bother to answer, just went and found out what o do with her glass then found her next room. She found her geography test to be easy, they memorized the current map in and the old world in the first years of church classes and were routinely drilled on it. Knowing the maps was considered necessary to understand the light. Finishing early meant she had extra time before lunch. Not feeling like sitting down she went to the other end of the open room where the various universities had set up intended nothing more than to look at the photos and at first she managed it. But as she got to the bigger schools she found her self looking at the information on the weather programs. Not something she should ever think on. She forced her self to stop and headed back to the tables, away from temptation.

She fixed her lunch and found a table. Abiram took the seat next to her and said. “How’s it going? Any problems?”

Sara said. “No, well Rebecca is mad at me but that is nothing new. The language test was a lot of writing but no challenge, and geography was nothing to the church test. How were yours?”

Abiram looked at her. “Not bad I think they are saving the hard stuff for tomorrow. Why is Rebecca mad at you?”

Zac said, taking the seat on her other side. “Sara refused to agree to throw the tests. In fact said she had been ordered not to throw them, but to do her best, it was lovely to see. About time she stood up to them. Of course they are all outraged, and waiting to try again.”

Sara said. “I knew what they wanted and was almost ready to give it to them. But when it came down to it, I realized I can’t lie like that. Besides everyone is going to think I passed them, so I might as well try to. I don’t mean to embarrass you, but well. It will happen no matter what. That much is clear.  I mean is there a one among the boys that hasn’t indicated they think the girls are here because of me? The girls came right out and said so. The only reason that Lena is rooming with me is that it was me or someone from Hammer.” She blushed then, realizing she had said to much. At least she had stopped there.

Zac said. “Most just hint, but yes, and not just the kids. I think my father agrees as well, though he said nothing to me.”

Abiram said. “It will blow over. You are just doing your part for the town. The test this year is more important than other years. No one should be trying to fail. But if they keep up once we are home you have to go to your teacher. It is not fitting.”

Sara bit her lip, not wanting to lie, but not wanting to worry him more. “If it is necessary I will talk to her.”

Abiram said. “About the bus this morning. I am sorry I didn’t let you know I was there. But I wanted to hear your answers.”

Sara said. “I saw no harm in being friendly and will offer no apology for anything I said. There was no harm in it. So have you been and looked at the schools yet? It looked like there was a lot”

Zac said. “You went and looked? I have a bit, but will have to go back latter. There are more than we usually have to choose among.”

Abiram said, frowning a bit. “More that have mage programs here then what I was expecting. I think that is why there are so many.”

Sara said. “I was looking at the photos, nothing sinister.”

Zac said. “Just having a mage program doesn’t mean the school is to be rejected. As long as that program is not the center of the school it is a ligament option.”

Abiram nodded. “I didn’t mean it wasn’t. Just that the number of schools with programs is a shock. I didn’t realize just how popular it was. I am not sure what school I want right now. I will take a look tomorrow. Zac did you see any better for research than Dixter. I know you didn’t seem to like the sound of it.”

Zac said. “I was looking at the medical and biology programs. I will like what one on the coast had to offer. I thought I might as well spend a bit on dreams and the see what offers I get after things are done.”

Abiram said, softly. “If it is what you want.”

Zac said. “I don’t know yet. It is not that simple. It is more than that. But that is what this week is about. Figuring out what we want.”

Sara said. “Look at the time. I had best move or I will be late. But that is what I believe to be the point. They don’t want you taking vows and resenting them.” Sara headed off to her test, the history one didn’t bother her. She came out in middle of the pack. The math one though, she was worried about. It was to easy and she was one of the first out of the room. Unfortunately there were to other girls in there. She could only hope they thought she finished early because she gave up. At least it gave her time to make a good bit of progress on her paper. She picked a table closer to the university displays to work on it, and was pleased to find she was left alone. When the volume in the room was considerable more she put her things back into her bag, and went after a drink and a cookie.

Predictably that is where Rebecca found her. “I do not know how you can eat so much. That much food is not healthy.”

Sara said. “I do not think a few cookies will kill me.”

Rebecca shook her head. “I am so glad this day is done. I hope tomorrow is easy. That math test was awful. I don’t see why they thought we would know that stuff.”

Sara said. “There is a long on in science left. That is all I know for sure.”

Rebecca nodded. “I will be so glad to see the end of this week, and get back home. I mean rose and lavender scented soaps.”

Sara said. “I believe the one I used was lilac. But yes it is strange. I must admit I found my hair harder to control as it was so much lighter. I might have to buy some. It would make a good gift, or some lotion. I want to give Anna something silly as well as the needed spices. Something else to look for.”

Rebecca said. “Even knowing what to watch for I don’t know how much I would want to spend in that mall. I just bet it is not clean, if you take my meaning.”

“The buses are waiting, if you will kindly start that way.”

Sara said. “I will see you back at the hotel.” Grateful for an escape, she went out and got on her bus.

The boy next to her said, as he took his seat. “I hope I didn’t get you in trouble early. I truly am sorry. I didn’t notice him there.”

Sara said. “My brother wasn’t upset. He said he was enjoying hearing my answers. Don’t worry, nothing I said will cause me any harm.”

“Good, then perhaps you wont mind taking to me a bit more?” Sara shook her head. “This is totally rude, but how do you date when you can’t even talk to a guy?”

Sara said. “That is one of the things that caused the spilt. Among us marriages are arranged. A girl will find out who her intended is when she takes her first set of vows. They will then have at least a month to get to know one another before the wedding.”

He said. “We date, but not alone. There is always an adult, and generally it is more than just two kids together unless promises have been given.”  That got one of the others to say how it was done in there home town and so the ride back was passed in a discussion of courting.