Standing In The Rain

Sorting

Jae and I eventually got a letter through the school back to my mom saying how I was somewhat mentally off in a good way. Where I was too smart to the point where I was 'socially awkward'. I'm not, but sadly it wasn't hard to convince people that I was. My mom got me 'enrolled' to the Solomon Institutional for Troubled and Talented Teens. I laughed at the made up name that she believed but I quickly scowled at Alice. It didn't take her long to drop a few nasty remarks to me about being "different" "odd" "special' " and more. But only if she knew. But only if.

Enrollment. First day. Sorting. I'm all anxious. I'm nervous. I'm definetly not going to Teknom. I don't want to be a 'foundationist'. I wouldn't mind being in Spleshek, Consim, or Artimest. Which means that I have a 60% chance of getting my way. Jae guides me back underground and down a hall.

The three guys from 'interrogation' lightly show me into a small room. Naturally at the sight of them I am terrified but they all greet me kindly and say 'good luck.' I look at Neil, "This isn't another 'test' is it?" I ask. His response takes be aback. "Does the Sun go around the Earth?"

"uh, no?" I say.

"Good, it's not!" He laughs. I sigh.

I walk into the room alone and see five objects. A large, glamorous ring. A compass. A small blade of metal. A large black marble slab of rock. And finally an odd, small red stone. All sitting on individual pedestals with lights shining over them. A framed painting hung above them but as I looked closer I saw that it wasn't a painting, but a message, "Pick one that appeals to you the most." I feel like screaming, I thought this wasn't a test!?

I muttered to myself "I don't do jewelry, why do I need a compass? Do I look like I can carry a blade wherever with me? But that black rock is pretty.. No. The smallest most useless thing is for me."  And without another thought, my footsteps echoed on the marble floor. I reached for the stone. As I touched it a door opened and more objects appeared.

I went into the room, picked an object. Next room. Room after room, I finally had picked the small red stone, an animal's claw, a simple necklace, a paperclip, and a blank piece of paper.

Once I touched the paper though, the door opened. But not into another small room, but a large one with at least 200 other people. All seated at one of 5 tables. They all stared at me, all hopefully. All waiting for something. Finally a loud voice projected anonymously over the room. "Spleshic!" A table cheered and a boy closest to me and pats to an empty seat next to him. I'm shaking from the shock, and I sit by him, resting my shaky legs. "Congrats, Newbie!" He chuckles and pats his back along with many other congratulating me.