EPOV

It was that time of year again, the worst part of going to high school- for me, anyway. School was mostly a bore; people's thoughts were the only thing (besides the science and history textbooks) that changed from school to school and year to year.

But now was the one point in the school year that I dreaded: Finals. "But, Edward," you must be saying, "You have been around for over 100 years. You know more than the textbooks

ever could. You can read minds for goodness' sake! Finals should never pose a problem to you! You can just read the mind of the teacher and get the answers if, heaven forbid, you don't
know them. Why are finals such a big deal, anyway?"

Well, I may be able to block thoughts, but you try blocking the thoughts of the entire student body as they try to cram in every bit of information possible in the short period known as

lunch hour- trying to gain as much advantage over the other students in what would be, for them at least- "life determining" tests. It's not as easy as it sounds; you have people quizzing their friends on the periodic table at the same moment that your neighbor across the table from you is studying Latin

declensions. Then add in a few more kids trying to memorize the Constitution, a handful trying to recall various passages from Thoreau and Shakespeare, and multiply the result by, say a few hundred kids. See what I mean?

These kids' thoughts are so desperate, so determined, that they break through my mental filter that usually blocked out the unwanted intrusions into my personal thought-space. I glance over at my family, suddenly aware that I had most likely been inundating Jasper with my overwhelmed emotions and making his situation that much worse.

I'm going out to the car if it doesn't get any better, Jasper said to me. If you want to join me, feel free.

I nodded gratefully at my brother, but slightly motioned with my head towards Bella's table, where she was studying with Alice for her own finals. Instead of escaping, I would concentrate on the blank slate that was my Bella's mind. If I could just focus on only her thoughts, or the quiet that was her mind, I might be able to avoid leaving.

She was certain to pass with flying colors. She had a determined, concentrated expression; Alice was no doubt quizzing her with her hardest material. She was in good hands, my Bella was; with Alice's gift at her disposal, my sister would realize immediately what Bella needed to study more in depth. If she had problems with a certain kind of question, Alice would still know if she would pass if she got a question wrong or not.

"I don't know if I'm going to pass Chemistry."

"Oh,dear, I'm going to fail Geometry for sure. There's no way I can memorize all these postulates and theorems before tomorrow."

"Yes, Bella! Way to go, girl! Alice is doing such a good job at preparing her! I hope I do as well.. " This last comment made me smile. Even with all the stress of finals upon her, Angela was still kind enough to wish her friend well. Bella had done a good job in finding such a good friend.

But the worried thoughts of the rest of the cafeteria were still rushing in. I didn't think I could take much more; if concentrating on Bella didn't help, I'm not sure what would, aside from escaping altogether.

Glancing once again at my family, I immediately was reassured that everything would be taken care of; my absence would be attributed to a stomach bug, a text from Alice assured me. As I got up to leave, Emmett playfully shoved me away.

Now was the time to act. I hurriedly rushed up from my seat to the cafeteria door, hand over my mouth as if I was going to throw up. It didn't matter if I was running a little bit faster than the average human; they would run just as fast if they were in the same "situation" that I was in.

I slowed down as I got to the restroom, and was met by Jasper. "I'm skipping as well. Your emotions mixed with everyone else's were too much to handle. I already signed us out at the office; we both are suffering from food poisoning." He grinned as he thought the last statement, and we both headed out to the Volvo to escape the horrors that were finals.