Chapter 1 – The Test

The story opens on a remote island in the Pacific. A group of technicians are watching control panels, as an object reaches orbit.

"Pod 20 has reached its orbit, and checks out as operational!", says the head technician.

"Good! Good!! Soon, my plan can be implemented", says a mysterious figure, as he now switches one of the 21 monitors on his panel to an external/internal view of Beverly Hills High. He has broken into the school's security system, and has it under constant surveillance. "Plot the first twenty targets, for each pod!"

"Yes, sir!"

At Beverly Hills High, its time for the annual "Perform Under Pressure" test. All seniors are required to participate, so that they can experience the pressure of a possible career, where they only get one chance to 'get it right', first hand.

"I am so totally not ready for the 'Perform Under Pressure' test!", exclaims Clover.

"I didn't even know how to prepare for it!", says Alex.

"But that's the point, Alex! Your not supposed to study for it! It's just an exercise to test how much you retained over the years of schooling. It doesn't count for a grade!", says Sam confidently.

"That's easy for you to say, Sammy. You're a brain! I'm not!", Alex frets.

"Me neither!", adds Clover.

"Relax, gals! You'll do fine! You're going to find out you retained a lot more than you suspect! Wait and see!", says Sam, as they arrive at the gym. The test will be given there.

"Well, well, if the three 'losers' haven't arrived to watch me place first in this year's 'Perform Under Pressure' test!", chides Mandy.

"You may place higher than Alex or I, Mandy! But don't reach for the first place ribbon yet!", says Clover.

"Yeah, Mandy. Sam's going to clean your clock!", says Alex, as Sam shows embarrassment. Sam is trying to keep this test in perspective, she doesn't need the additional pressure of proving her friends right.

"We'll see!", says Mandy, as she and her two clone friends go to their places.

"I wish you wouldn't have said that, Alex!", says Sam.

"Why not, Sammy? You have more smarts in your little fingernail than Mandy has in her whole body, plus her two Mandy clones!", replies Alex. But the gals can see that Sam is starting to tense up.

"Let's forget about this stupid test for a bit. What are you going to wear to the dance Friday night, Sammy?", asks Clover, as she tries to break the tension.

Sam immediately relaxes. "I was thinking of wearing my flowing pink skirt with my light blue blouse and pink matching shoes, Clover."

"That is a great outfit for you, Sammy!" replies Alex, "You'll look awesome as usual in it!"

"What are you going to wear, gals?" asks Sam.

"I'm thinking of wearing my red hip huggers, with my red tear drop top and red dance boots!", replies Clover.

"That's a good outfit for you too, Clover! You'll knock the boys dead!", exclaims Alex.

"How about you, Alex?", asks Clover.

"I'm trying to decide between my fuchsia dance outfit, or my white skirt and green top! Which would you gals pick?", replies Alex.

"I'd go with the fuchsia dance outfit – you look totally cute in it!", says Clover.

"Both outfits are nice, Alex, but I agree with Clover! You're dynamite in that fuchsia outfit!", says Sam.

"Then the fuchsia outfit it is, with my matching boots!", says Alex with finality. Clover and Alex smile at one another. Mission accomplished! They have been able to get Sam to relax.

Soon the test begins. It is broken into rounds – one wrong answer and the student is out.

The gals are doing very well! It is round 15, before Alex answers wrong. She is sad, but perks up when she realizes she did better than 60% of the class, including Mandy and her two friends. Mandy was fit to be tied, when she went out in round 13, as she bitterly complained about how unfair the question was, but to no avail. Her two friends went out in round 11. She and her two friends go to their seats in the gym, in a snit! Alex becomes a cheerleader for Clover and Sam.

Clover is the next to miss a question, out of the gals. She goes out in round 20. That places her in the top 25 percent of the class. She is pleased with her finish, as she joins Alex in cheering on Sam.

Soon the test is down to Sam and Matt. Both have survived 24 rounds. If they both get the next answer correct, they will share top honors. The final question is from astronomy, and is tricky. "How many of Saturn's, Jupiter's, Neptune's and Uranus' moons can be seen from earth?" Both students know that Saturn has 18 moons, Jupiter 16, Neptune 8 and Uranus 15, but how many are visible from earth? They both think for a few seconds and write down their answers. When their answers are locked in, the correct answer is revealed: 10, 14, 2, and 5. Sam's answers are revealed first: 10, 14, a crossed out 8 followed by a 2, and 5. Correct! Matt's answers are next: 10, a crossed out 16 followed by 14, 2, and a crossed out 5 followed by 6. Matt had the answer correct initially for Uranus, but changed it to the incorrect answer. Sam is the winner!

"Great job, Sam!", congratulates Matt.

"You to, Matt! You had the right answer, initially.", returns Sam.

"Yes, but I changed it. I out-thought myself. I don't mind losing, especially if it's to you Sam!", says Matt. Sam is a little embarrassed by the compliment.

"Will you be at the dance Friday, Matt?", asks Sam.

"Sure will!", says Matt.

"I get the first dance with you!", Sam says.

"I'll be looking forward to it, Sam! Thanks!", says a happy Matt, as he goes to his seat in the audience.

Sam goes to the podium, where she is presented the first place ribbon for winning this year's competition. The gym erupts in applause, as Sam embarrassingly stands on the stage with her ribbon. She enjoys winning, but she can do without the notoriety, thank you!