Exit: Mordecai

Five minutes... 3 minutes... 1 minute... 30 seconds...

"TIME!!!" The Proctor screeched as she stood atop the teacher's desk at the front of the classroom. The Proctor assumed a heroic pose when towering 4'11 and a half inches tall. "Please, seal your test books!" She boasted. Though petite, her voice effortlessly carried down the halls of the school, causing passing individuals to startle as they looked for the source of the noise. One by one, the students peeled the clear circular sticker from the front cover and placed it across the fore-edge of their test booklets, thus finalizing all answers and bringing the exasperating test to an end.

Jumping from the table, the childlike Proctor pranced over to a podium where The Grader, a 24" x 24" tablet that instantly grades tests and presents a fully detailed report of the student's academic strengths and weaknesses, awaited the students.

"Now, form a line!" The spunky Proctor commanded with one hand placed confidently on her hip, the other pointing at the collection of wrecked nerve students as they anxiously formed a single line in the middle of the classroom. "Once your test has been submitted." You will receive a direct report message in your student portal. Let us begin!"

The mentally exhausted students anxiously marched towards The Grader. Nothing, not even the promise of death, would shadow the terror of uncertainty the Grader had to offer. Last in line, Mordecai, now a senior, clenched her sealed textbook as she silently prayed for a high score. For the past six years, Mordecai has dedicated herself to her studies and extracurricular activities, including piano, art history, and etiquette classes. Her goal was to be accepted into The Crystal Academy, where she hoped to pursue a double Major in Community Action and Political Science. To do so, she would have to score higher than 87%.

Eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen, fifteen... sixteen... Mordecai counted to herself; she was number seventeen and the last to receive her score. Wearily, Mordecai stared at the cover of her now-sealed textbook.

"Now, I will only go over the process once, so listen closely." The spunky Proctor threw her hand out to the side as she threw her torso out towards the class. "The closer your score is to 100%, the better your score." The Proctor then brings her arm back in, snapping her closed fist between her eyes, just millimeters away from the tip of her nose.

The first student, a young girl an inch taller than the Proctor, nervously stepped up to The Grader. Visibly trembling, the girl placed her test booklet atop the screen of The Grader. A brilliant blue light emerged from the table, consuming the booklet, and in a shower of sparkles, the booklet disappeared. In its place appeared a hologram of the girl's test scores.

"Malory Swan! You have obtained an 82%. The Proctor proclaimed. Leaping into the air, the Proctor throws confetti about Malory as she reads her short report aloud.

Unaware that the scores would be announced to the room, Mordecai's heart sank into her stomach as she watched Malory, delighted in her success, turn to the class and curtsy. As she rose, the Proctor handed her a silver brooch, which Malory placed on the breast pocket of her uniform's blazer. Returning to her seat, chest high in the air, Malory shamelessly basked in her success.

Boiling inside, Mordecai wrestled with an internal panic attack as she silently shuffled towards The Grader.

"96%!" The Proctor smiled at Jax, number thirteen in line and the school's sweetheart. Jax came from a line of accomplished entrepreneurs, politicians, and doctors – so for him, such a score was to be expected. Confidently, Jax places his finger on the fingerprint reader. "That's high enough, so get into Superior Academy!"

The class gasped at the idea that someone from their school scored high enough to be considered a Superior Academy prospect. As the number one institution in the region, Superior Academy lived up to its name and thus only accepted gifted students. The last time an individual successfully enrolled in Superior Academy through The Grader was over ten years ago.

The Proctor joyfully embraced the polished Jax, rubbing her cheek against his waist as though she were a lost kitten greeting its master. Quickly gathering her composure, the Proctor cleared her throat and blushed as she sweetly shooed the school prince back to his seat.

"Well?" With her hands on her hips and a tapping foot, the Proctor glared in Mordecai's direction. "You gonna move or what?"

Looking up, Mordecai realized it was her turn. With weak knees and a twisted stomach. Mordecai began to sweat as she fought to hold back the tears internally. Her heart began to race, and her mind began to spiral as she involuntarily contemplated her place in the world.

Abandoned on the doorstep of the local orphanage run by the Church some 20 years ago, Mordecai has been in the care of nuns. Her entire life, Mordecai has been trying not only to find but also to define herself, constantly seeking acceptance in a world of rejection. Now, it was her time to experience a taste of good fortune. Nervously, Mordecai places her workbook into The Grader.

"Booklet Received. Please Confirm Fingerprint..." The Grader instructed. Mordecai leaned in, firmly pressing her fingerprints onto the reader. "Confirm-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-" Sparks began to fly from The Grader wildly. Everyone quickly backed away as the Grader started to shake violently and produce electrical sparks.

"What did you do?" The Proctor scolded Mordecai as the other students began to vacate the now smoke-filled room.

"I have done nothing!" Mordecai frantically expressed himself in a small and panicked voice.

Unwilling to accept her answer, the Proctor cast a damning glare at Mordecai, piercing her core. Unable to move from the fear and disbelief, Mordecai's eyes widened as the petite Proctor began to elevate before her. "You are expelled for sabotaging official school examination proceedings!"