Chapter 23: State of Distress
Queenie noticed that her cousin's eyes looked red. "You were crying?"
Vanessa was too ashamed to answer and simply nodded.
"Alright. Finish your chocolate milk then we'll go wash your face, ok?"
Vanessa nodded.
Before they left, Queenie told Vanessa to thank the nurse. As Vanessa thanked the nurse once more, Queenie gave the nurse a little bow then they headed for the restroom.
When they entered the girl's room, it seemed that all the stalls were occupied. One of the girls who had been standing in front of the sink mirror was embarrassed and left as soon as they entered.
"Whoa. It seems they overdid it this year." Queenie commented.
"Uh-huh."
Queenie told Vanessa to put her face down then she turned on the sink and instructed her to wipe her face and blow her nose. Queenie pulled out some paper towels and wiped Vanessa's face with them. "Feeling better?"
"Uh-huh."
"That's good."
When the cousins walked in the hall, there was an announcement over the PA system. "Good morning, MBC camp members of 2015. Today's power screening was much more intense compared to last year. Some of our camp members got injured during the examination. We apologize for any distress the power screening may have caused you. There will be a break before the first class. Good day."
"Hmm. Lucky you, you get a break." Queenie proceeded to walk Vanessa back to her dorm room.
Vanessa didn't seem relieved by the announcement. She was irritated that after all the pain she and the other camp members went through, all they were given was an apology and a break? Queenie tried to comfort Vanessa as she divulged how horrifying the exam was. When they reached the door to Room 708, they could hear yelling from outside?
The cousins were hesitant to enter the room but when the yelling escalated, they looked at each other then Queenie opened the door and they ran in. Vanessa couldn't believe it, but Miranda and Agnes were arguing with each other!
Miranda was threatening to beat Agnes up, but Agnes yelled that she had no intention of fighting her. Vanessa and Queenie tried to stop them from fighting but Miranda's fiery temper and Agnes's yelling made it clear that they would not stop anytime soon.
Vanessa was very upset, and she yelled "Just stop!"
When she yelled, Agnes and Miranda both got dragged to opposite walls.
Vanessa asked, "What is going on here?!"
Queenie whistled and thought "Wow, Vanessa's power is very useful."
The three of them began yelling at each other. When Queenie tried to calm them down, they began to shout even louder. Queenie shouted, "SHUT UP!"
The three girls were finally quiet and looked at her in shock.
Queenie sighed "Finally...Peace and quiet. Ok...What's going on here?"
Miranda was the first to speak up "Agnes here...Knew the school had some sh*t going on during the power screening. But when Vanessa asked her about it, she said it was a surprise. That ain't no f*cking surprise. The guy who went into the test room I did came out with bloody knuckles! I could've f*cking died...All because this b*tch wanted to keep it a surprise."
Agnes was insulted but calmly replied "I wasn't allowed to tell. What would you do if you were in my position?"
Miranda retorted "F*ck that. You're a goody two shoes after all. Obviously, I look out for my people." She jabbed her thumb on her chest.
Queenie said "No, you aren't the only one who's been scared. She is too. Also, from what Vanessa told me and what I heard from the announcement, the power screening was a lot harder than before."
Miranda replied "So, are you saying the school was f*cking us all up?!"
Queenie gave Miranda a side glance of annoyance at her language before licking her lips and sighing "No one was gonna do that to you guys. They just want to test your potential by pushing you to your limits. And it's not like our test wasn't as hard as yours, it's just that we got lucky... Someone in our year used their best potential and accidentally damaged the simulation machine? Or hurt the proctors."
Miranda said "Well, damn."
Vanessa said, "Oh my God."
Agnes asked, "Excuse me Queenie, but do you know who that person is?" She adjusted her glasses.
"...Why are you asking this?"
"Please tell us!" exclaimed Vanessa.
Queenie said "Sorry, I'm not allowed to talk about it. It was a big incident at the time and the faculty members don't want us to talk about it in detail."
Miranda retorted "This school and their damn secrets."
Queenie frowned then an owl appeared, perched on the other side of the window. She noticed it then said "Ok...If everything is clear now, please make up with each other, and can you please look after Vanessa? I need to go now."
"Vanessa, will you be fine on your own?... If you need anything, you can call me ok?"
All three girls responded in the affirmative then Queenie left. They all apologized to each other although Miranda was reluctant to do so.
Then the door got pushed open! It was Elizabeth carrying Angel on her back. Angel looked exhausted.
The girls all exclaimed, and Miranda ran over to help carry Angel onto her bed.
Agnes asked "Is she alright? Did she see the nurse?"
Elizabeth replied "It was the power screening. She used up all her strength. The nurse helped her but she's still tired. I don't know what happened to her during that test?! It was just a simple test."
Miranda asked "The f*ck you mean simple? You got fire powers, too right? I had smoke in my lungs you little show-off."
Elizabeth retorted "Well, I'm sure you used too much firepower without thinking."
Miranda yelled "What you say b*tch?!"
Vanessa and Agnes held her back. Agnes said, "Calm down Miranda, this isn't the time."
Vanessa said, "Maybe we should go outside."
Agnes nodded, and the two girls walked Miranda out of the room.
Miranda yelled "Why do we need to go outside?! It's our room!"
Agnes said, "Because you need to cool your head down and Angel needs some rest."
Vanessa exclaimed "That's right! We have a break! Let's go and enjoy our break!"
Agnes and Miranda agreed with Vanessa's suggestion and the three girls walked out into the hall.
