Fifteen

September 2019

Every month, we got to spend a week for examinations. As I said, for the next following days, we studied the rest of the remaining subjects. I'm not into my phone for a while.

I just spent the rest of the days studying.

Then it came. Exam week came.

The Hell Week, as we call it. When this time of the month comes, all strict orders are established.

No cellphones before the exam. No foods or drinks are allowed inside the classroom, except when you're done. We must be an hour early and a permit from the principal is necessary for you to take part in the exam.

Our classroom was dead silent when I entered. They're focused on their notes and books. Except for the jocks. They're just sitting in one corner like a group and chat about things. I also haven't seen them open a book or something.

So, yes, I think Candice is right. They don't care about their grades.

I'm halfway to my seat when suddenly Roller called me. "Hey, Asher!" he called out. I immediately looked at him.

"Come here." he ordered, nodding his head.

I went to him and nodded at the group he's at. "What's up?" I said, looking at each of them.

"Any news?" Roller asked.

"About what?" I asked back.

"About us. The team."

"Well, um, yes there is one." I opened my bag and took the folder that Mr. Eric gave me then handed it to Roller. "Mr. Eric gave me that last week. He said that I need to know each one of you in the team. But since you're my classmates, I don't need to focus on you."

They nodded their heads and agreed on what I said. Roller then gave back the folder. "Alright," he responded. "Some of us, I mean the others, is actually hard to deal with and cooperate with. So if you need me I can accompany you and help you with them."

"Yeah, sure. Thanks, man." I smiled at him. I put the folder back to my bag and walked away.

Roller is the captain of the team so he also has responsibilities.

I was standing in front of my seat then he called me again. I looked at him with my eyebrows raised.

"What about training?" he asked. "Did he mention anything about our training schedule?" Jason added.

I clicked my tongue and put my hands on my waist, looking at them while thinking. "Hmm."

They stared at me and waited for my answer. "No. He hasn't mentioned anything." I finally answered. They nodded at me and I can see that they're disappointed.

"But he did say that you must pass the exams." I added, still looking at them. Roller looked at me and forced himself to smile. "We'll try," he responded.

I shook my head, "No don't try. Do it." I said, still smiling at them. "I need you guys to get along with me for the team. So, you need to pass this."

They all nodded and Roller smiled at me. That is when Mr. Eric entered the room with papers in his hand. I sat down and fixed my things before looking at him.

"Good morning, class." he greeted at us. We greeted him the same.

"So, just like before, you know the rules. No talking soon as I give you the test papers. Pens must be the only thing on your desk. Foods and drinks are strictly cannot be consumed during exam hours." he explained to us.

My heart started pounding. I am nervous and anxious today about the exam. I studied so hard for this. Mr. Eric gave us the test papers and we began answering it.

We spent 3 full hours answering the test papers and we finished around 11:00 a.m.

After the exams, I spent my time with the team. I followed them to the field. They said it's their favorite hang out spot since they're basketball players.

The "hang out" thing with them was actually fun. I learned a lot more about the team, Roller even gave me some advices. They're all good guys, except for some of them.

And also that locker bastard.

I don't know what I did wrong to him, but he was just glaring at me the whole time. I mean, not like whole time but every time I catch him looking at me, his eyes were just raging with anger.

But, I do have a guess on what I did wrong. I think it was the time where him and I were both at the same location and he wanted me to go away, but my pride had risen a little bit on that moment so I stayed.

That's why I feel a little bit uncomfortable with the team. Because with his eyes like that, I feel like he can jump and kill me any moment.

The next day, we took our next exam. The subject what I hate most, Mathematics . I just hate seeing numbers and computations. I used to like math before, until they buggin' joined it with letters and damn symbols. It's pointless.

So, just like yesterday, 3 full hours was spent but this time, I felt something different.

While answering the exam, my hand started shaking. At first I thought it was just nervousness, but it gotten worse when I lost control of my mind. I blinked for countless times and started looking around.

Everyone was so focused, but me, I am struggling with something.

I squeezed my eyes shut and tightened my grip on my pen. My mind was completely blank, my hands were trembling, and I can't breathe properly.

I've been like this for minutes, then I heard someone calling my name.

"Asher." that someone said in a whisper.

He or she was calling me until I finally opened my eyes. The sound of the voice was coming from my left side. I looked at that direction and saw Justin looking at me. It was him calling my name.

"Are you okay?" he asked me, still whispering.

I nodded at him while heaving. "I'm fine."

He didn't answer and just looked at me with pity. Seeing his eyes fixed at me like that, I glared at him, "I'm fine, Justin." I said again. "Don't worry about me, mind your paper."

"Mr. Elcarpe!" Mr. Eric shouted when he saw me talking to Justin. I immediately looked away at Justin and kept my head down. "No talking."

I nodded, still keeping my head down. "I'm sorry." I apologized and cleared my throat.

Then it all just got me when I looked back at my paper. I was having a panic attack. I lost this kind of feeling years ago, and it seems like it is back to ruin my life again. I struggled with panic attack when I was on grade school, and I got rid of it for a matter of time.

Welcome back, panic fucking attack.

I hope you enjoyed your entrance because if you do, then good for you. You just ruined my examination.