A week after the A-tech entrance exams, the high school external final exams for seniors began. Lexis had a total of 14 exams spread across 4 weeks, some exams were on the same day so she didn't have to go to school very often during the testing period.
However one day, in the middle of the testing season, when every one had to take English exams one and two. Lexis noticed that one of the external invigilators looked like Mrs. Malieni. But the woman was quiet, she wore glasses, was dressed overly reserved and kept her gaze down most of the time, she didn't smile and her hair was in a bob cut. It wasn't until one of the others tried to talk to her Lexis realised the woman was mute, no way it was Mrs. Malieni. But the resemblance was uncanny.
At lunch the woman didn't stay in the room prepared for the invigilators, instead she was on the benches looking out at the court. Lexis had been lying on her usual bench smoking when the woman passed by. She didn't say or gesture anything, just nodded and climbed the stairs to sit at the top. Her perfume didn't smell like Mrs. Malieni, but she sure did walk like her.
Lexis studied the woman closely, but the more she watched, the less similarities the woman had to Mrs. Malieni. She was left handed, clumsier, it also looked like she had a lazy left eye or maybe it was an artificial eye. Despite the differences between the two women Lexis couldn't shake the feeling that they were the same person. She had been so caught up in watching the woman, she didn't notice some guys had approached her, a couple of Stanton's friends.
"Hey mix breed!"
Lexis sat up right away, putting herself in a position to either run or attack. She let the cigarette hang from the side of her mouth.
"What did you do to Stanton? He didn't get his scholarship."
"Yeah and why the hell did he come back all beat up that day too?"
"Yeah! What did you do to him?"
C'mon guys don't beat the dead horse. They had surrounded her blocking the way forward, she slipped her hand under the strap of her pack waiting.
"Well assholes, he wasn't smart enough for the exam so he failed."
"And you passed?"
"How's that your fracking business?"
"Answer the question coolie!" One shouted as he kicked her foot.
Lexis looked at the three boys as she cupped the cigarette in her mouth and pulled hard. Franklin seemed to be the one leading the other two. She chucked Franklin with her free arm, then blew smoke in the face of the other two as they reacted. She swung her pack at the closest one's head, stomped the other's foot and charged Franklin with her shoulder as she ran past him swinging on her pack. She kept running toward the main school building without ever looking back.
Lexis decided to stay in the testing hall, it would be relatively safer as the invigilators would be in the hall before students had to be there. As she sat slouched in the chair watching the board ahead the mute woman came in. The woman looked at Lexis and opened her mouth like she was going to talk. Lexis signed hello and the woman beamed, she started to sign aggressively, Lexis had to shake her head and hands letting her know she couldn't understand. The woman turned away dejected. Lexis felt bad she'd gotten the woman's hopes up and apologized.
"Sorry... I can only say 'hello'."
The woman just shook her head and sat down at the desk again, looking at her. They sat in silence staring at each other until the other invigilators showed up. The rest of the day was uneventful as the second exam took up much of the afternoon. By the end of it the other seniors left the hall in a hurry to get home either to celebrate or prepare for tomorrow's exams. Lexis stayed in the hall watching the mute woman.
"Aurelia!"
The woman turned to watch her, realisation crossed her face but was quickly replaced with a questioning look. Lexis laughed and walked to the front desk shaking her head. The woman and the other invigilators looked at her confused.
"That's some good acting Mrs. Malieni."
Silence passed between them for a minute before one of the others tried to speak, the woman spoke first.
"What gave me away?"
Lexis exploded into laughter. "No shit, it's really you!"
"Hmm, you made me break character. Impressive. Alessandro did say you were sharp."
The other invigilators finished packing up the papers and left. Aurelia and Lexis walked to the principals office, talking about sign language and acting. When they got to the office, the secretary was worried lexis had been caught cheating, and called the principal out. Mr. Scatim left his office in a hurry, very angry and vocal about Lexis cheating until Aurelia stopped him.
"Calm yourself man."
"Your still in character." Lexis whispered.
Aurelia removed the wig and glasses she wore and shook her hair free of its bun.
"Mrs. Malieni!"
He invited them into his office, where Alessandro was already waiting. He smiled at his wife.
"I told you she would figure it out."
"Yes, she's very sharp indeed. Principal Scatim, may we borrow your office to speak with Lexis privately?"
"Of course."
-
"Lexis, Alessandro informed me you inquired about being on campus earlier than your start term. Based on what he's told me and what I've seen myself, I believe you want to be out of here as soon as possible, yes?"
"Yeah."
"While we can't allow you in the dormitories so soon. We can offer you a room in our home."
"Really?"
"Our home is big enough, we have an extra room or two you can stay in."
"How soon can I stay with you guys?"
"Right after graduation if that is what you wish."
"How about graduation day?"
"Not a problem."75Please respect copyright.PENANAs3juMV5WaT