Page 103 of You've Got Male

“Sure thing, Mrs. G.”

Evie turned back around, wondering what kind of quantum-realm nightmare she’d just entered. She didn’t have time to process the moment because the professor said, “Calculators, cell phones, laptops, and any other kind of device need to stay in your bags at all times. If I see one, you fail. If I see you talking, you fail. If I see you looking at your neighbor’s papers, you fail. Understood?”

“Yes,” Evie said brightly, then realized the question must have been rhetorical because no one else spoke up.

“You have three hours to finish the exam. When you are done, set them on the podium and quietly exit. Your scores will be on your University Portal next week. Begin.”

Evie licked the tip of her finger, then opened to the first page. It was the English section—which was her strongest skill. She breezed through the first part of the test, no problem. Then she got to the math section and felt a sigh of relief. They didn’t have to show their work, which meant she could use logical math, not this fancy new math Camila’s generation invented.

She’d just answered her first equation when her phone vibrated in her purse. She looked around to make sure no one heard it, and the professor pointed to his eyes, then hers. Evie swallowed hard and put her eyes back on her own paper.

It vibrated again. And again.

Six times in a row the phone went off.

The professor locked gazes with her. “Can you please turn off your phone?”

“Will I fail?”

“You will if you don’t stop the disturbance. A quick in and out, no looking at the screen.”

Evie gave a decisive nod and took her phone out. She didn’t mean to look at the screen, she really didn’t but Waverly’s preschool’s number flashed and her heart went triple rhythm.

“I am so sorry.” Evie took her phone and approached the podium. “I just need to get this.”

“The rules were clear.”

“Can you make an exception? This might be an emergency.”

“No phones. No exceptions. If you’re going to answer you need to do it outside.”

Evie nodded. “I’ll be right back.”

“Once the tests are handed out no one is to leave the room.”

The phone blew up again.

“What if I have to use the restroom?” she asked.

“Then you may go, but all devices must stay in your bag. And your bag must stay in this room.”

“But it might be—”

“No exceptions, ma’am.”

“Did you justma’amme?”

For the first time the professor looked uncertain. That smug entitlement vanished and what was left behind was likely a teacher’s aide.

“One day, you are going to be in this same situation and I hopethe gatekeeper to your dreams isn’t a raging asshole.”

Evie picked up her purse and exited the room. Her palms were sweating, her heart heavy with disappointment. But if this was an emergency, she couldn’t ignore it. It rang again and Evie swiped to answer.

“Hello?”

“Evie Granger?” a frantic voice said.

She cupped her phone to her ear and started toward her car. “This is her.”

---