Jeanine had told us that the real baseline would be in a week, so that even if we failed horribly we would have a chance to experience the life we had chosen. I wanted to use that time to get back the lost moments between Kendal and I. So I searched. The Erudite compound wasn't very confusing; it was a circle on all three levels with a library in the middle. Hundreds of people were walking around in the circles, going into and through hundreds of labs and mini libraries to get to where they need to. I stepped out of the dorm and into the steady flow of traffic, letting it carry me on my search. I tried to take in all that i could, as if inhaling the smells of the intelligence would grant me that gift. In my heart, I knew it was futile.
When my hunt proved unsuccessful, I decided to go to the library. Maybe a good fantasy adventure would lift my spirits, as Kendal had taught me it could that time ago. As I entered the library, a hand caught my shoulder. I spun, ready to protect myself from harm if needed. Jeanine smiled at me, with a little fright in her eyes.
"It's just me, sweetie." I relaxed my arms, but kept my muscles a bit tense. Though I had no reason to be, I was suspicious of her. Maybe that was the new lifestyle I had chosen, always wary of everyone else's words. I had given up the assured honesty of Candor, now I'd live with that decision. "I just wanted to congratulate you. Out of the entire class's test papers, you were the only one to do well in all areas. Most excelled in one area and left...much to be desired in the others. I am very impressed, especially keeping your Aptitude Test results in mind." I paused before replying.
"You saw my results?'
"Of course! How else am I supposed to track the success of my creation: the serum?" Of course she created it. I put on a sugar sweet smile and chose my words carefully.
"Oh, of course. Such a miraculous creation could only come from a mind as excellent as yours. Thank you. I am honored to have proved myself." My goal was to get on her good side, maybe kissing up would help my lost cause.
"You haven't proved yourself, dear. There's still a lot of time to go and I'm not easy to please." She turned to leave, but something inside me couldn't let it go. I had to have the final say, I had to let her know I wanted to be here.
"That's okay." I said just loud enough for her to hear me and turn slightly. Her face held a look somewhere between confusion and astonishment. I said, a little louder, "Prepare to be surprised, then." I spun on my heel and stepped slowly into the library, a wide smile crossing my face.