She closed the book, placed it on the table, and finally, decided to walk through the door. She couldn’t do any more. Amelia handed the test booklet to the proctor seated at a small, metal table just outside the door.

“You’ll have free time until lunch,” advised the proctor.

“Thank you.”

Amelia cocked her head momentarily, then started down the hall toward her room. She didn’t turn her head, but she knew others were chattering in clumps along the wide hall that always smelled of cleaning solution. They were comparing notes about the exams, the most recent one in particular. Amelia was generally not included in the camaraderie, but she didn’t care.

She didn’t want to be here, didn’t need to be here, shouldn’t be here. … Continue reading at NPR