It felt like waiting for an exam to start.
Once you see the test paper and begin writing, the nerves fade but the moments before the test, while waiting for the paper to be handed out, are pure torture.
The closer it gets, the worse it feels.
Right now, the two of them sat at the dining table.
The rented apartment was spotless so clean it practically sparkled.
Mei lifted her glass and took a sip of water, trembling as she asked,
"O... Otis, are you nervous?"
Otis held his cup in his left hand, the cup shaking so badly the water nearly spilled.
"No. N–nope."
Mei said,
"I already told you, you should've paced yourself. Now look, your hand is trembling."
Otis took a sip of water.
"Later, if you talk like that in front of your parents… won't they, um… beat you?"
Mei took a sip herself.
"I'm an adult now."
Otis took a deep breath, trying to calm down.
"Do you want me to go downstairs to meet them?"
Mei checked her phone.
