Alex shifted his gaze nervously around the high school. The bricked building was still the same as always, only this time it looked more like a prison. Every single student was being checked with UV light for any possible signs of cheating. Alex shuddered. Not that he needed to worry. He was one of the smartest students. Heck, he was one of the main candidates of being valedictorian. His only enemy was Thomas Jefferson, who was neck and neck with him since the beginning of high school.

Alex felt a tap on his shoulder. "We'll get through this. You'll see." He recognized the voice as his best friend, John. Alex turned to face John, who was with Hercules and Lafayette.

Alexander studied Lafayette; his palms were glistening and he was slightly shaking. Alex turned to John and told him, "Maybe it's Lafayette you need to calm down."

Lafayette gave a half-smile. "Mon ami, I'm fine."

Alexander chuckled and pointed to his hands. "That's fine?"

Hercules spoke up. "Better than sophomore year. Remember how he almost fainted?"

Lafayette slapped Hercules's shoulder and pretended to be angry, snapping, "For boyfriends like these, who needs enemies?"

They all laughed, getting into the line of people getting checked.

"You know, Laf, you really shouldn't worry. You're dad is a teacher." John mentioned.

Laf snorted. "I guess, but that doesn't make me completely safe."

"At least this is our last year." Alex sighed.

"That's true," agreed Herc before falling into a comfortable silence as they got closer to the front of the line.

***

Thomas couldn't believe it. His last test! Only a few more hours and hell would be over. He turned to his friends, Maria, James R. and James M. Charles and Sam would be there, but they were already way ahead of them. "Hey Jemmy," he said to Madison. "Can you believe it? It's almost over."

James looked down. "Yeah, but what if any of us fail?"

James Reynolds laughed. "You're not gonna fail. Cmon, Jemmy, get that into your thick head."

Maria winced. "I'm gonna admit that I am nervous, too. I mean, it's a do or die situation. Doesn't that ever scare you, James?"

Reynolds rolled his eyes. "For the last time. My father is the governor of New York. I got nothing to worry bout."

Jemmy looked at Thomas. "What if you fail? Or Sam? Or anyone close to us? I can't bear it!"

Thomas hugged his best friend. "Nothing will happen." But not even Thomas could assure that, as during test day, nothing is certain.

While Thomas and Jemmy continued walking in the line, Maria and James stayed behind.
"Hey," she said, getting his attention.

"Yeah?"

"Are you sure I'm going to be okay?"

He pulled her closer to him. "Listen. Don't tell anyone, but I called dad and told him to make sure both of us made it out alive. Okay? I'll never let anything happen to you." He wiped a tear from her face.

She hugged him. "Thanks," she sniffled as she pulled him into a quick kiss.

***

"Angie," Eliza whispered.

"Yes, sis?" Answered Angelica.

"I'm scared."

Peggy nodded and said, "Me too."

Angie gave them a sad smile. "Hey, you two do not need to be scared. Eliza, you skipped a grade. You were smarter than the rest. And you're almost smarter than me!" This got a laugh from Eliza. "And Peggy, you skipped two freaking grades! How the heck did you do that? Both of you are at my level, so if anyone should be scared, it should be me."

Peggy and Eliza smiled. Suddenly, Peggy gasped, "Oh my god, it's Maria!"

She pointed to the back of the line. Eliza chuckled, "Why haven't you asked her out yet?"

Peggy gave her an annoyed look. "Uh, hello! She has a boyfriend! Besides, she's probably straight."

Eliza's smile got wider, but a bitter side was noticeable. "Sorry, not all of us stalk Maria Lewis."

Angie frowned. "Peggy, I'm not trying to be mean, but you should get over her."

"Why?"

"Look." Angie pointed to Maria and James kissing.

Peggy sighed. "Maybe you're right. I must be out of my head. Girls like that don't happen to girls like me."

Just then, the guard demanded, "Your book bags?"

Eliza left her bag on the metal detector and the guard scanned her with the UV light. He gave her a nod and she grabbed her bag and stepped aside to wait for her sisters. Angie put her bag on the detector and opened her arms to be scanned. He nodded to her as well, and she grabbed her bag and joined Eliza.

The guard pointed toward Peggy. "Go." he barked. She put her bag on the detector. She opened her arms as well. The guard scanned her, when he noticed white writing on her arm. Angie gasped and Eliza grew tense.

"Mister, I can explain. I write notes on my arm every once in a while." Peggy stuttered.

The guard yanked her arm and read the writing. Remember to talk to Maria. Then tell her how you feel.

Peggy was sweating when he threw her to the other side. She grabbed her bag and walked away with her sisters, but she could have sworn she heard the guard mumble, "Fag," under his breath.

"Well, this is it." Angie said as they started walking down the crowded hallway.