Tests never bother me. My memory is strong enough to retain all sorts of information after being taught them. I rarely have to study for a single test at school and I never have to worry about failing.

Except now.

This upcoming test is one I'm not sure if I can pass. One where passing can be the difference between life or death.

And this is one test I will never feel prepared for.

Sitting with my family of four in our small kitchen only big enough for a counter top, a sink, an oven, a fridge, and a rounded table always gives me a feeling of comfort. They are the only people I can fully feel comfortable around.

Today isn't one of those days I feel nothing but comfort.

Because when I walk out the door, there is a chance I won't see them ever again.

"Are you okay, Amethyst?" Mom asks me, her voice as soft as it normally is. "You've barely touched your breakfast."

I stare at the bowl of bland oatmeal sitting in front of me before looking up at my mom. "I'm just not in the mood for oatmeal. Besides, I should probably be heading to school."

Both my parents have an identical look of despair on their face. They probably thinking what I'm thinking; how this might be the very last time they see me if I fail the test. The one test I have to pass, no matter what.

My six—year—old sister Emerald, however, has the opposite look on her face. Her eyes are as bright as they normally are, her smile as wide as she gets off her chair to walk over to me and give me a hug. "Bye, Amethyst! I'll see you after school!"

I keep myself composed as I hug her back. "See you."

Emerald doesn't fully understand what's happening today. She knows about what the government calls the Glitches. She knows I'm a Glitch. She knows not to tell anyone. She just doesn't know that if I fail the test to prove I'm normal like everyone else, I'll be taken away.

She doesn't even know about the test. She thinks I'm going to a normal day of school.

I get off of my chair and give both my parents a hug as well. They hug me tightly, though trying not to give off any fear otherwise Emerald will worry a whole lot. The last thing we want is to put the burden on her shoulder.

I walk to the front door, only grabbing my keys. Today isn't a regular day of school. All that's going to happen is the test.

Nobody knows how the test is going to play out. We don't know what to expect or exactly what we're being tested on. All I'm hoping is I don't glitch during the test.

I head to the back of the house to receive my bike before bringing it over to the front. Once I hop on, I start pedaling to the high school for the one thing I'm not excited for.

The five minute bike ride to school feels a lot longer than normal and my thighs were starting to burn from pedaling up and down the bumpy path. I pull over to the side and stop to let my legs rest.

I place my hands on my legs and start rubbing to ease the burning sensation, but my right hand starts flickering in and out of visibility before completely vanishing. Nobody is around right now, but I quickly hide the invisible hand in my jacket pocket.

All I want is to be able to control it or at least feel when it's about to happen. I don't. It always comes unexpectedly and if this happens during the test…

I sighed and wait for a few moments before taking my hand out of my pocket and being able to see my hand again. The glitch never lasts longer than a minute, but even the few seconds it does last can screw me over.

I have a stronger piece of hope the glitch won't happen during the test since glitches very rarely happen close together. If I take the test early in the school day, I have a higher probability of staying unknown.

Hopping back onto the bike, I pedal the remainder of my way to school. As soon as I arrive, I head to the bike rack and lock up my bike. I turn to face the school, feeling a large pit in my stomach as I try to muster a neutral expression.

Nobody looks as scared as I'm feeling. Then again, what do they have to be afraid of? Nothing. After today, they're going to go back home to their families and continue living a normal life.

I'm not.

I never will.

The warning bell rings and it's shortly followed by an announcement from the principal. "Attention students, this is a friendly reminder that today is the government issued test. Once taken, you may leave the school premises. In the meantime, please head over to your first period class. Thank you."

With a sigh, I head into the school and to my period one class. Half of the class looks bored and the other half looks excited, probably because they are missing out on lessons for the whole day.

I sit down in my desk at the back of the class, my heart starting to beat rapidly. Taking deep breaths isn't really helping me at the moment. Nothing will except for getting the test done and over with.

And passing.

Mocking whispers erupts in the classroom as most people glance over at who walks in. Not even needing to look over, I know who it is. Jack. The most tormented person in the school all because he's a little different than everyone.

Apparently, being different is a bad thing.

Jack takes the seat next to mine with a deep sigh as he leans back in his chair, his hair unkempt and deep bags under his eyes.

"Are you okay?" I ask.

"Yeah," Jack says, rubbing his eyes with his right hand; his real hand. "I'm just exhausted. I was too busy thinking about the test. Not because I'm a Glitch. But because I have no idea what to expect and they might even do inhumane things to see if we'll glitch."

Him saying that only makes me feel more worried. They won't hurt us just to see if we'll glitch, will they?

"I'm sure they won't," I say, though the doubt was clearly there.

"Yeah, let's hope so," Jack says.

The second bell of the day rings and once again, the principal's voice follows. "Will all students in the ninth grade please make their way to the gymnasium for the test to begin? Thank you."

I lean my head back with a huff. If they were going in order, I'm going to be one of the last to go being in my last year of school. The wait is only going to leave me in a lot of agony.

While in the classroom waiting for it to be my turn to take the test, I wonder if they'll announce whether or not they found a Glitch. I wonder if there even is another Glitch attending the same school as me.

Waiting starts to get annoying being stuck in the classroom. I try finding an excuse to leave, but my teacher won't let anyone exit the classroom no matter what. Not to go to the washroom or to the water fountain.

We're stuck in here.

An hour and a half passes by before the principal makes another announcement. "The grade nines are about to finish the test, so can all the grade tens start lining up outside the gymnasium? Thank you."