I was shaking, and it went through my whole body. It felt like even my brain was shaking, like every individual tooth was shaking.

I was aware of every breath I took and how each one was different from the last and how the next was different than that of the first: shorter, longer, normal, then not at all, then back to short.

The sporadic breathing triggered the crying, but it wasn’t sobbing, there were just tears. The room was silent except for every sound I made. Time wasn’t slower or faster, but I could feel every second.

I knew nobody was looking at me, but at the same time, I knew everybody was looking at me. As the minutes became close to an hour I started to hear rustling. Zippers were the most prominent sound — the sound engulfed the room, engulfed my thoughts.

My mind honed in on it, trying to think about anything more than what was in front of me. People started rising from their seats and making their way to the door. I just avoided eye contact.

The bell rings, and everyone leaves. Nobody thinks twice about it. Chances are none of them will remember this test. I stare at the blank paper, then go to my teacher and ask to come in later, alone, and finish.

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. All resemblance to actual people, places, things, or incidents is purely coincidental.