I rolled out of bed this morning and fought my aching sleep deprived limbs as I drug myself to the large overly bright bathroom. I jump into the warm shower and rinse off my medium sized chest and curving hills of hips and thighs. Everywhere aching from the long ass flight I was on the day before. The aptitude test's physical portions are going to be more difficult than I thought.
I quickly dressed in the all black sweat suits made of a light polyester, pulled my hair up in a half up messy bun with my side wispies and curtain bang pieces lose in the front. A little ChapStick and I will be great for the day. I lace my black sneakers on and make my way out of the hotel and onto the main campus that I saw from a distance yesterday.
The main entrance is on the face of the castle where a large group of similarly clad students huddled before a group of teachers in different professional suits all lined up and spread across the entire main walkway to enter the castle. Towering columns at the top of the stairs made the teachers look like we were about to be in an Olympian battle for the gods.
From the back of the group I could spot that long light blonde shiny hair of Alayna that I befriended at dinner last night. I walked over to her and she was standing on her tip toes trying to see from the back of this rather large crowd. I walked next to her and gave her a nudge with my shoulder, and when she looked at me with a face contorted in defense it took her a full second to realize who I was. When the realization hit, her face lit up and she gave me another one of her arms around the neck type hugs.
It's not like I am extremely tall, I stand at only 5'6". That just shows you how small Alayna really was, I think she was about 5'2" max?? Who knew but her personality I could already tell was going to fill up any room that she walked into.
We couldn't even get our good mornings out before the bald man in the middle of all the teachers began to say into his headset. "Good morning students," he rang out across the court yard with his hands held gentlemanly behind his back, "welcome to Elderidge University. I am your head master Dr. Foitzberg. Today," he pauses in dramatic effect, "you will begin your aptitude tests. We will let you sort yourselves into these three subgroups: intelligence, agility, and adaptability. These groups will not be tested any differently they will help us keep a watchful eye out for those that really shine in each of those categories for the tests."
The crowd began to murmur, "do not worry all! Today will be enlightening and we will find you the best match to your personality. You will also know your placements, housing, and buildings you will reside in. Each trade has their own block for dormitories, classrooms, and etcetera." The crowd seemed to only grow in anxiety. Alayna herself was standing on her tiptoes with her arm looped through mine for stability scanning all the faces of the teachers and staff on the pedestal they stood.
"These placements," the headmaster went on, "are not permanent and you will be transferred either between trades or transferred out of our institution based on your performance while you are with us." An unsettling silence filled with hushed whispers began to permeate the air.
Three teachers emerged from the building holding large midevil type markers for each of the groups. They descend the stairs and disperse in the courtyard with enough room to huddle the students. We were only given ten minutes to decide where we wanted to be aligned with and to be over to their designated areas The crowd made my blood run cold and my limbs turn stiff with anxiety. I couldn't let them get to me. I came here to find out who I am, and where I belong. Now the decision; intelligence, agility or adaptability. Honestly, I believe that being someone who hasn't her own spot in her own life would be the best suited for adaptability. I have worn different skins of myself that best supported those around me; a human chameleon longing for affection and belonging.
I walk over towards the adaptability group and get shoved from behind. "What a cowinkydink!" A shrill voice from behind me yelled out, I turn my head to see smiling vividly the green eyed goddess. I laughed as I shook her off of me, "are you going to the adaptability group as well?"
Alayna faces me and rocks back forth on her feet as she keeps her hands behind her and says, "yes ma'am! I have always been able to adapt to wherever I am and thrive! Seemed to be the best match to me! What about you," she asks with a tilt of her head. Flustered and grasping for words I just twirl my hair in my fingers and gave an ole 'same' with a forced chuckle.
Thankfully, I didn't have to go into much detail as Mr. Foitzberg signals for our leaders to take us to the first part of our placement exams. My group was led by an older gentleman gray from his years and a limp from some past trauma. Honestly, he reminded me of a spooky old groundskeeper.
We walked into the castle and turned and walked a long corridor. There is more employees dressed in all black suits at the doors awaiting in here for our arrival. They open the double doors to our first exam and we walked into a lavish and extravagant ballroom. My stomach hits the floor, nausea and anxiety begin to overcome me. Just when I thought I was about to turn and run for the hills a small cold hand grabbed mine and gave me three gentle squeezes. I look to see who it was and of course it had to be Alayna.
She was smart, ambitious, intelligent and way too kind to be hanging out with someone who doesn't even know how she got into this pretentious trade school. She gives me a knowing smile and continues to hold my hand until we were forced to take a seat spread out on these multitudes of rectangular desks that filled the grand hall.
The seats and tables, really everything, was expensive and the ceilings in this old building were painted in gorgeous gothic murals. The instructors had us sit every other seat in this room. They passed out our exams in sealed white booklets and a black pen.
"Alright everyone," the same creepy old groundskeeper man began from a pedestal at the front of the room. "You will begin your first portion of aptitude tests in a few moments. This exam is to test your critical thinking, and use of context. Please answer as efficiently and quickly as possible. Whatever answers you don't have marked at the end of your 45 minute they will be counted as zero's. Work individually, if you are caught cheating at any point at this school you will be expelled immediately." He began to cough a violent wet cough for a good minute, I can tell that him speaking took a large toll on him. He simply nodded his head at us and stepped off the pedestal, a loud voice from somewhere in the room gave an okay to begin.
Pen to the paper I was going to get placed for my perfect path for my life after today.