Helanie:
"Helanie! Wait," Lucy yelled, but I saw Norman gesture for her to stop, keeping her from coming in my direction. I have seen the sadness in her eyes for me.
"Aren't you going to sign the admission form?" I heard Norman ask her. I didn't want to leave, but what else could I do? I had failed the tests.
My heart ached so deeply that I knew if I stayed any longer, I would end up crying like a child. The one goal of my life had been snatched away because of my own weakness. This was all my fault.
I watched as Gavin and the others were loaded onto a bus, headed to the academy where the selected candidates would pay the entry fee, while Gavin would sign up for the backup tests. Going back into the shelter alone felt like a slap to my face—a harsh reminder from the alphas that I was on my own now, with nowhere else to go.
