Final Exam

FINAL EXAM

Sam woke up at 5:26am, before her alarm sounded. She sent the first group text to her three friends. She got up out of bed, made it, and went into the bathroom to shower, do her hair, and brush her teeth. Her phone went off and it was Rayne. She was dressed and ready to leave her house to pick up Sam and go to the bus. Mark and Josh texted once and said they would meet the girls at the bus stop.

Sam was ready and opened the door as Rayne was about to knock on the door. They startled one another. Sam yelled upstairs to her mother. She said, “Mom, I’m leaving.” She didn’t wait or expect a response. She closed the door, and the pair walked down the street and out of their complex to the bus stop.

Josh walked to the girls and hugged them lazily. He said, “I can’t wait to finish high school. I hate mornings.” Mark closed the car door and said low, “You hate afternoons, evenings, and nights too.” The girls laughed and hugged Mark. Sam said, “We have exams today and then we are done. Graduation is in two weeks.”

Rayne said, “Thank goodness. I can’t wait to get this all done and start my life.” Josh nodded in agreement. The bus pulled up and everyone got on. Josh went to his seat in the back. He seen Gabe walking quickly to catch the bus, but it pulled off too fast. Josh called out to the driver, “Hey another kid is trying to get on the bus!” The driver sucked his teeth and pulled over, giving Gabe a chance to catch up.

Some of the students complained or yelled for the driver to leave. Sam and Rayne told those students, “Shut up! We all have exams today.” One kid, Jack responded, “He won’t pass them. He is too dumb.” Mark stood up and said, “If it weren’t for the four of us, you wouldn’t even be graduating.” The bus erupted in laughter. The driver yelled, “Everyone sit down and be quiet.” Gade was in his seat making a mental note.

When the bus pulled into the bus area, Gabe grabbed his big bag and exited. He looked back at the four who were last to exit the bus and said, “I appreciate what you all did.” Josh said, “Don’t mention it.” The first bell rang and the four walked onto campus. They had the same exam but were in different first period rooms. They separated and went to their assigned classes. They would see one another in second period to take their last high school exam.

The bell rang and the four met at the gymnasium doors. They walked to the far side all together to take their final exam. Sam said out loud, “It feels weird here [on campus] today.” Mark, always the voice of reason said, “Maybe because we are leaving this place, so you are feeling something.” Rayna and Josh nodded in agreement. Sam shrugged her shoulders and said, “Let’s hurry up.” They picked up the pace and ran into Gabe, which never happened. He looked wide eyed as he asked, “You all going to the far side?” Sam said, “Yeah.” Rayna asked, “Are you ok?” Gabe nodded slowly. He walked away then turned around and said, “Stay over there. You will thank me later.”

Sam felt an eerie feeling and felt her hair stand on her arms. She knew something was wrong, but no idea what it could be. The four walked to the far side in silence. They got to their classroom and took their seats. The bell rang again; the principal made the morning announcements and instructed the teachers to begin the exam.

The text messages came pouring into everyone’s cell phones. Sam read her text out loud, “Someone is shooting at main campus.” Panic erupted all over the campus. The teacher gave instructions for the students to barricade the doors, pull the black shades, and turn off the lights. Get away from the doors and windows. Rayne was holding Mark while Sam grabbed Josh. Sam said aloud, “Everyone turn your ringers off.”

Sam knew the school and all neighboring schools would be on lockdown for as long as it took to contain the situation. Sam’s mother was the Chief of Police in their city. Sam sent a text to her mother, “School shooting now.” Her mother texted back immediately, “Where are you?” Sam said, “Far side.”Josh whispered, “Dear God. Please protect us all.” The teacher and other students that heard Josh said in unison, “Amen.”

Sam remembered what Gabe said to the friends as he walked away. He said, “Stay over there. You will thank me later.” A sinking feeling overcame Sam. She knew the shooter; they all had interacted with him that morning and a few minutes before. Mark whispered, “Sam, what is it?” She looked at him with fear in her eyes. She said, “It’s Gabe. He told is to stay over here and we would thank him later.” The tears were rolling down her face and she didn’t even realize it.

Rayna held Mark tighter and cried into his shoulder. Josh was breathing weird. She looked at him and said, “Josh, my mom is coming to get us out of here.” She added, “We will be fine. I promise.” She told him to breathe. Sam checked her phone for a text from her mother, but there was none.

A girl in the class yelled, “I’m getting out of here. I will not be a victim.” She ran towards the door, but the teacher grabbed her, sat her down, and held her in her arms. The teacher rocked the student and spoke calmly, “It will be alright.” Another student was having an asthma attack. He took out his rescue inhaler and used it twice. He didn’t say anything to anyone. He pulled his knees up to his chest and tucked his head down.

Another student was curled up on the floor in a fetal position crying inconsolably. Sam could feel the gloom and doom permeating the room and stifling the air. She checked her phone once again to see if her mother had sent a message. Her mother sent a message, “I am coming to get you, Babygirl.” A sense of calm filled Sam’s mind, for she knew her mother was going to move mountains to get her daughter out safely.

When someone started twisting the knob and pulling on the door everyone held their breath and remained still. Sam looked to see if it was her mother. The police opened the door and called out Sam’s name. She stared for a sec then said, “I’m here.” The officer said, “Your mother sent to get you and your three friends.” The four friends were up and out the door within seconds. Another officer entered the classroom to speak with the teacher and update her on the situation.

The shooter was apprehended and taken away. Sam walked arm and arm with Josh as did Rayne and Mark. Sam looked for her mother in the front office. The secretary told Sam her mother was waiting for her in the principal’s office. Sam ran to her mother who held her close, kissed her head, and asked if she was alright.

When the bell rang, it startled Sam and she jumped. She looked around the room to see if anyone had noticed. They were done until graduati0n. Rayne said, “We should go get something to eat then go to Sam’s house.” Josh said, “We could just get something to eat at Sam’s house. You know her mother buys the best food.” Mark said, “She sure does.” Then he asked Sam, “What’s wrong?” Sam looked at him for a few seconds. She said, “I’m good. Let’s get out of here now. We can walk to my house.”

As they left campus for the day, Gabe was rushing in the opposite direction. He bumped into Mark mumbled something but kept walking. Sam said, “Let’s just hurry up.” Sam texted her mother to let her know she was leaving campus and going to the house with her friends. Sam sent another quick text, “Mom, I love you. I have a weird feeling.” Sam’s mother responded, “I love you more.”

As the four walked to Sam’s house, police cars raced past them. Sam’s mother called her and asked, “Where are you?” Sam said, “We are turning into to complex now.” Something horrible happened at your school so please go straight to the house.” Rayne and Mark got text messages from other classmates saying Gabe had a gun on campus. Sam looked at them in shock. The four ran through the complex to Sam’s house.

Once they got inside, they all called their parents to let them know they were off campus and safely at Sam’s house. The parents were oblivious to what was happening at their school at that time. The robocalls had not yet started. Sam was shaking and Rayne said, “Sam, you knew something was going to happen today. You said it this morning.” Josh asked, “How did you know?” Sam answered slowly, “I seen it. I had a dream.” They all new she had that ability. Sam said, “Let’s find something to eat. I don’t want to keep…” Her thoughts were interrupted with a far-off sound.

The sound seemed so far away but growing nearer. Sam couldn’t readily identify what the sound was, but it was so familiar. Then she recognized the sound of her alarm clock blaring. She looked at the time and knew it was all a dream of her last high school exam. She got out of and made her bed, then headed into her bathroom to get ready for school. Sam checked her phone as she was doing her hair. Rayne sent a group text in their chat. She texted, “See you in a few minutes. I’m walking to your house now. Josh and Mark said, “See you at the bus stop. Don’t be late! The driver won’t wait.”

Sam finished dressing and her hair. She let her mother know she was leaving for school and would see her later. Her mother said, “I love you, Babygirl.” Sam opened the front door as Rayne was about to knock. They startled one another. Sam turned and said, “I love you more, Mom.” Rayne said, “Awwwww! That is adorable.”

When the girls reached the bus stop, both Mark and Josh were waiting. They were standing closest to the curb at the beginning of the line. Sam and Rayne walked to them. They greeted one another and talked about their last exam. Sam invited the group back to her house after school. They all agreed and texted their parents to let them know their plans. Sam had already asked her mother so there was extra food in the house for the group.

The bus ride was uneventful. Gabe was nowhere to be seen. Sam was still very concerned. She didn’t tell anyone she had such graphic dreams. It was almost 7am and they wouldn’t be released from school until 1pm. Sam was anxiously anticipating the conclusion of that day. She prayed and tried to calm her mind so she wouldn’t have a panic attack. The day went by quickly. The four met at the media center to walk back to Sam’s house. They were officially done with high school. Their graduation was the following week. They all had plans for the summer and would be starting college in the fall. Sam was not looking forward to leaving her friends, but she was excited about going away to college.

That final exam proved to be a challenging day but thankfully it had all been a dream or a nightmare. Sam was grateful for her group of friends and her most supportive mother. She quelled her anxiety because everyone was safe. Her life was good.