The next few days leading up to my test on Wednesday were a blur. They mostly consisted of Mom nagging me about studying. I was getting real over all this studying and didn't want to do it any more. Mom was on my case about it and kept saying that this was something I wanted to do so I needed to put my all into it. Every time she saw me not studying or reading one of the books I got for Christmas, she would tell me that if I didn't want to skip a grade then I could stop doing the work, but if this was something I wanted then I needed to focus and work harder. It was really getting annoying.
Sunday it was too cold to play football so Darry stayed and helped me with my math most of the day. That went over as well as one would think. It started off well and he was actually a real good teacher, better even than Mrs. Howard, my hopefully soon to be old teacher. But then I started to get bored, I had been studying my whole break, and stopped listening to him. I started getting things wrong and wasn't paying attention as Darry tried to explain things to me. I was daydreaming and then being really snarky when he asked me a question. As helpful as Darry can be, he isn't one known to have much patience and so he was getting real over my attitude after awhile. Our study time ended with him throwing the math book and papers across the table on the floor and storming out saying he wasn't getting paid to help and was done with this.
Mom wasn't too happy about that, but she wasn't too happy with me either. She told me I needed to try and learn it on my own and then just ask Darry on the difficult sections so as not to have him explain everything to me. Some of this I was bound to understand on my own.
After getting on me every day for multiple hours and not letting me go out so I could stay in and study, it was finally Tuesday night. The next morning I was going to have to go to the school and take this test. Principal Rogers had called the day before to find out how things were going and to set up the details. He said the test would probably take at least 4 hours and he would be in the room to administer it. We should get the results by Friday to know what grade I was in on Monday.
Tuesday night I was a wreck and I knew it. The gang was all over and Mom and Dad were hiding from all the noise in their room. I was trying to get some last minute studying in, but the gang were all being so loud that I couldn't concentrate. I was trying to block them out, but was pulling my hair out and chewing my nails to the stub from all the noise and the stress. I probably looked like a crazy person. Finally I couldn't take it anymore and snapped. I whipped around from where I was sitting at the table and yelled "will you all shut up! I can't think with all that noise and I have to learn this!"
They all got quiet at that. I didn't speak much when we were all together and was known as being pretty quiet. Mostly only talking to Johnny or Sodapop if I did say anything. I don't think I had ever yelled at them like that. Sure Soda and Darry had seen me yell before, but this was different. They all looked stunned. Than Johnny spoke up "sorry Ponyboy. We can quiet down right guys?" There were a few nods and then Two-Bit broke in "glory Pony. Don't think I've heard you that loud since you were screaming as a little baby" he gave a chuckle.
I turned back around my face red and hot from embarrassment that I had lost it like that. I then felt a hand on my shoulder and knew that it was Soda. He sat down next to me. "I'm sorry Pon. Can I help you with anything?" I looked up at him. He looked concerned. He knew that I was stressed and was trying to keep from breaking down, but Soda wasn't able to help with any of this. I'm sure Soda didn't know any of it even though he had technically passed the 8th grade already. I just shook my head "no Soda. Sorry. Thanks for offering. I just want to do well on the test tomorrow and I'm worried I wont pass and all of this work will be for nothing." Soda wrapped his arm around me "Ponyboy you are the smartest person I know. Everyone knows that. Even the school knows it. That's why they are having you even skip a grade in the first place. I think you're stressing too much. I'm sure you'll do fine tomorrow. But I'll get the guys to leave so you can focus." I gave him a grateful smile and then he left.
I head the front door closing and Johnny called out "Good luck tomorrow Pony! We are all rooting for you!" and then they were all gone. Darry came over and sat down once the front door closed. "What questions do you have kiddo? How can I help?" Clearly I must be losing it if Darry was now offering to help. I shuffled around some papers to get to the math ones. "I had some questions on these" I handed him the paper and he started looking at it. I could still feel everything building up and I knew I was at a tipping point. My stomach was churning a bit and I was real worried about not doing well tomorrow. Right then Mom came over to the table to see what was happening and I heard Dad talking to Soda in the living room.
"What's going on honey?" Mom asked smoothing down my wild hair. I turned to look at her and seeing her face with a look of concern made me officially lose it. I started crying right then and Mom wrapped me in her arms "shhhhh shhhhh it's ok baby. it's ok" she soothingly said while stroking my hair. Now that I had started crying I couldn't hold back and started to sob in her arms. "What if I don't pass? What if I can't do it? What if I'm not good enough? or smart enough? You're right I should have studied more earlier!" I was letting it all out now. Mom continued to comfort me telling me to breath and not get worked up. Slowly I started to calm down, but I was still stressing and my worries weren't going away.
Once the sobs stopped Mom pulled back and held me at arms length. "Ponyboy. Baby. Don't ever think for one second that you aren't good or smart enough. You are perfect in every way and will do fine. And if you don't pass tomorrow?" she gave a shrug. "who cares. No one will think any less of you. I know that you have really tried and really want this, but if it doesn't work out that's ok. You will still be the same Ponyboy who I love regardless of what grade you're in." I wiped my eyes and gave a sniff but nodded.
Soda came up from behind and wrapped me in a hug. "You got this Pon! I know you do. I'm always telling you to stop stressing." then Darry jumped in "Yeah Pony you got all these math questions correct. See you do know this stuff. We can review it if you want, but I think you've got it. Just don't overthink it." Dad was suddenly there and had his hand on Mom's shoulder. "Kiddo you got this. We all believe in you and even if it doesn't work out, you still have all of us. We aren't going anywhere. We love you kiddo" I had now calmed down more and was feeling more relieved as I looked around at my family who all loved me more than I thought was possible.
I took a breath and then turned to Darry "can we go over this again?" He nodded and helped me review the math for another hour or so. Soda sat at the table with us even though he wasn't really helping with the math, but it was nice having him there for support. Once we seemed finished Mom told me that I should probably get to sleep so I could rest up before tomorrow. I nodded and cleaned up my papers and stood up. "Thanks for the help guys" Darry gave me a smile and nodded and Soda jumped up and gave me a hug "You're going to do great tomorrow Pony! I can't wait to hear how it goes!"
I got in bed and Mom and Dad both came in and said goodnight and how proud they were of all the work I had put in. They left and I tossed and turned all night. I was real nervous about tomorrow. Finally it was time to get up and get ready.
Mom had cooked a big breakfast. She called it brain food. Dad, Darry, and Soda all wished me luck as they headed off to work. I then went to get ready and tried to cram in a little more studying. Then Mom and I headed to the middle school. I didn't say a single thing the whole drive scared that I would break down again if I opened my mouth. We pulled up to the school and walked in.
Principal Rogers was there waiting for us. "Hi Mrs. Curtis. Hi Ponyboy" he reached out and shook both our hands. Mom and him chatted for a few minutes as we walked to the office, but I was so stressed out that I wasn't paying attention to anything said. Just chewed on my nails the whole walk. Finally Principal Rogers cut through my thoughts "are you ready for today Ponyboy?" he asked. All I could do was nod in response. "Alright. Well come over here and have a seat." He said to me. There was a desk in the middle of the room for me to take my test at. I turned and looked at Mom. "Ok honey Principal Rogers said this will take at least four hours to complete. I'll be back then and wait for you to finish up. You got this baby!" she gave me a hug and then left.
I sat down at the desk. "Do you have any questions before we get started Ponyboy?" I just shook my head no. "Alright. Here's the test. Good luck." and he handed me the thickest test I have ever seen and sat down behind his desk to do some work. I opened up the test and saw that it started with English. Good. That was my best subject so I felt confident as I answered the questions.
The test and time flew by. I took the longest on the math section, but before I knew it I was done. I finished and looked up at Principal Rogers. "Ponyboy do you have a question?" he asked when he noticed I was looking at him. "No sir. I'm just finished." I replied. Principal Rogers eyebrows shot up. "It's only been about 3 hours. I thought for sure that would take you 4 minimum." I looked at the clock. Did I really complete it that fast? I felt like I knew most of the stuff so it was pretty easy to get done. "Well since you're done so early I'll give your mother a call to come get you since she isn't expecting to come back for almost an hour." he then stood up and left the room to make the call.
Mom came right away and said her thanks to Principal Rogers and that she was looking forward to hearing about the results. We got in the car and she immediately turned towards me "And? how did it go?" I just gave her a shrug. "I think I passed. It didn't seem that hard anyways." Mom gave me a smile and wrapped me in a side hug since we were in the car. "I'm so proud of you baby! I knew you would do amazing! Come on lets go home and celebrate!" and with that we headed back home.