Just in case I turn out to be like Fryn, a rarity. Just in case I am... different. Is this where I belong?
I pose for Momma’ s camera, a small gadget no larger than her thumb. Dad pushes me to the car as we zoom to the Bowl. The Bowl is a big arena, a half circle stadium with stone benches to view a concrete stage. Screens surround the stage with a close up of what’ s happening. Normally, the bowl is used for political meetings, but on nights like tonight, the Bowl is used for testing.
Underneath each seat is a Tablet, which are specifically programmed for the test. When you turn on the Tablet, you type in your code, letting the Tablet know who you are and your personal information.
I cannot remember much from the first test--just simple questions I knew, such as what Section you are and if your siblings have Switched. Other questions were what shapes, symbols, and colors appealed to you most. Simple questions for a five year old.
I have no idea what the test tonight will consist of. They change every year.
We arrive at the Bowl along with Louisa, one of my best friends in the Aqua Blue Water Section. Her long brown hair and deep brown eyes go well with her dress while my scarlet curls and colorless eyes offset the blue.
We leave our families with our arms linked. When we climb up to the Bowl, we see the rainbow of colors and noise of the different Sections joined together. We are forcefully shoved into our Section’ s seating area and sit beside another.
A voice suddenly is heard.“ Hello, boys and girls of all you lovely Sections. Tonight, we take our final and most important test. We find our destinies and fates. Please enter your codes into the tablets beneath you, and begin your test. When you are finished, put it underneath your seat and wait for me to resume talking.”
Louisa squeezes my sweating palm with reassurance. I know that if either of us change, that will be okay. I hope. After I type in my code, I am asked my favorite shape. A never ending circle. Favorite symbol? Peace sign. Favorite color? Though I am tempted to say aqua blue in honor of my Section, I know that is what they want. I answer truthfully when I say pink, a color I wish I was in instead of everybody’ s real favorite, the average, everyday Aqua Blue. When I see smart on a personality checklist, I pause. I know what I would be put in if I choose it: Dark Slate Politics and Education Section. The people in that Section are cold and cruel. Though I get good grades, I do not check smart. I can’ t have that option open. After a few more questions, my test is done, and I put my Tablet back under my chair. Only a few more people need to finish their test, so I sit and wait.“ Ladies and gentlemen, your tests are now done. While we analyze the results, please join members of other Sections in a few social dances.”