Page 61 of The Commons

“Right. But this is The Commons. You have to get a hundred percent and still be average.”

Panting, I sigh in frustration, smacking my palm against my forehead. “Is there nothing you can do?” I lean in on the welcome desk, pleading with her.

“No. I’m sorry. You can try to do the 10 by 10 again. But you’ll have to wait a hundred days to take the test again.”

“And there’s no way around it?”

“There’s no way around it.”

My hands cover my flushed face, and I slam my eyes shut, infuriated. I try to focus and control my darting eyes. I look down instantly, clench my fists, then walk out.

On my way out, I turn to see Ciaro walking in.

“I told you not to take it,” she says.

Oh! I remember I haven’t asked her about the Meaning Test, and I need to before I lose my chance. “Did you happen to see me in any of your tests?” I ask.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She shoves past me, and I swear I could fight her. I feel like I’m going crazy. What is this place doing to my mind?

I should hold my tongue, but I can’t help it. I surge in front of her, stopping her in her tracks. She glares at me like a tiger, but she hides the roar. And I know she can feel mine.

Fiery anger burns inside of me, but I try to hold it back. With a very succinct whisper, I push for more. “I know you know something you’re not telling me. Tell me.”

She feigns a smile, keeping her eyes on me. Then, like a breeze, her words fly past me. “One word. You need to get out. Also, I’d watch who you hang around with.” She begins to stride off before slowly turning back to me. “At least I’m rude to your face.” She walks out.

My eyes dart up, and I barge into the hallway that houses our lockers, slamming my fists on my locker doors in frustration.

“No! No! No! No!”

Pesh is against me. The Patron De Londe is trying to hurt me. And I just failed the 10 by 10 test. I failed.

After everything—I failed.

My fists crash into the locker repeatedly. And pain explodes through my knuckles—but it is nothing.

It is nothing compared to the panic clawing up my chest, stabbing my intestines until I can barely breathe.

I have to get out of here.

But I cannot leave without Levon.

I press my forehead against the cold metal.

Oh God! Oh God! What am I gonna do?

I stand frozen in time, staring at my closed locker, lost for words.

Exasperated, tears cloud my eyes, and I open my locker to find a small tissue.

That’s when I see it.

A large box covered by a white cloth. Confused, I sniffle and try to focus on what is in front of me. Puzzled, I see a sticky note on the side. I take it and read what it says.

Just know my distance is to protect you. Thought you might need this. It may contain some answers to your questions – In my heart, P.

I take away the white cloth to see it. The Tragedy of The Commons book.

I exhale. Wow. It looks as large as a tome or codex. I instantly grab it and begin to flip through the pages. I sit on the floor of the empty locker room, reading the book like a hungry child desperate for food.