Chapter: Final Exams from Afar
(Jay's POV)
The sunlight streamed through my bedroom window, hitting my laptop screen at just the wrong angle. I squinted, trying to focus on the question that seemed to blur before my eyes. Final exams for HIVS, and here I was, sitting at my desk in New York, far away from home, Section E, and… everything familiar.
My fingers hovered over the keyboard. The cursor blinked mockingly, as if it knew I was nervous.
"Okay… you got this, Jay," I muttered to myself. My hand shook slightly as I clicked the first answer.
Percy peeked in from the hallway, holding a cup of coffee. "Ready to crush it?"
I groaned. "I'm ready to survive it, that's for sure."
"Survive?" he raised an eyebrow. "You're Jay. Barracuda mode. You don't survive—you dominate."
I smirked faintly, feeling a bit of my usual confidence return. "Fine. Let's dominate."
The screen filled with questions about global issues, public health, and environmental policies. I typed carefully, double-checking my answers, my mind working faster than it had in days. Each correct answer was a small victory, a reminder that I was capable—even so far from the chaos of Section E and the life I left behind.
Aries popped into the room, holding a notebook. "How's it going, Jay?"
"Stressful," I admitted, glancing at the timer counting down. "But manageable. Just… wish I had more time to concentrate."
"Don't worry," he said, giving me a reassuring smile. "You've got this. We'll handle the distractions."
I nodded, letting out a long breath. I could hear the city outside my window—the distant hum of traffic, people talking, life moving around me. Somehow, it made me feel both lonely and empowered.
Half an hour in, Percy walked over and rested a hand on my shoulder. "Remember, don't overthink it. Just trust yourself."
I took a deep breath, focusing on the next few questions. With each one, my confidence grew. I started remembering lessons, past discussions, even some of the debates I'd had with Section E—they had shaped me more than I realized.
Minutes felt like hours as I worked through the exam. My heart raced when the timer hit the last ten minutes. I clicked "Submit" with a mix of relief and pride.
I leaned back in my chair, exhaling heavily. "Done. Finally."
Percy and Aries gave me a high-five and a small cheer. "You did it!" Aries said.
I smiled tiredly, feeling a strange mix of exhaustion and accomplishment. "Yeah… we did it."
For a moment, I let myself relax. The distance, the exams, the chaos—it all felt a little lighter. And even though I was far from home, far from Section E, I realized that no matter where I was, I could handle anything.
Even finals.