Peggy Kern - The Test

Praise for

the Bluford Series:

The Bluford Series is mind-blowing!

Adam A.

These books are deep. They show readers who are going through difficult problems that they are not alone in the world. And they even help teach you how to deal with situations in a positive way.

Vianny C.

I want to confess something: before I started reading the Bluford Series, I didnt like to read at all. Now I cant stop.

Mariela M.

Each Bluford book starts out with a bang. And then, when you turn the page, it gets even better!

Alex M.

These books are intense! When I read them, I feel like I am in the story and everything is happening to me.

Cyntera L.

These are life-changing stories that make you think long after you reach the last page.

Eddie M.

I found it very easy to lose myself in these books. They kept my interest from beginning to end and were always realistic. The characters are vivid, and the endings left me in eager anticipation of the next book.

Keziah J.

For the first time in high school, I read a book I liked. For real, the Bluford Series is tight.

Jermaine B.

These are thrilling, suspenseful books filled with real-life scenarios that make them too good to put down.

DeAndria B.

My school is just like Bluford High. The characters are just like people I know. These books are real!

Jessica K.

I thought the Bluford Series was going to be boring, but once I started, I couldnt stop reading. I had to keep going just to see what would happen next. Now Im done, and I cant wait for more books.

Jamal C.

Each Bluford book gives you a story that could happen to anyone. The details make you feel like you are inside the books. The storylines are amazing and realistic. I loved them all.

Elpiclio B.

One of my friends told me how good the Bluford Series is. She was right. Once I started reading, I couldnt stop, not even to sleep!

Bibi R.

I love the Bluford books and the stories they tell. Theyre so real and action-packed, I feel like Im inside the pages, standing next to the characters!

Michael D.

Copyright 2011 by Townsend Press, Inc.

Printed in the United States of America

9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Cover illustration 2011 by Gerald Purnell

All rights reserved. Any one chapter

of this book may be reproduced without

the written permission of the publisher.

For permission to reproduce more than

one chapter, send requests to:

Townsend Press, Inc.

439 Kelley Drive

West Berlin, NJ 08091

ISBN-13: 978-1-59194-234-4

ISBN-10: 1-59194-234-9

Library of Congress Control Number:

2010934776

Liselle Mason stared into the cracked mirror of the Bluford High School girls bathroom. She had been standing there for several minutes, fussing with her hair and trying to cover up the dark rings under her eyes with makeup. There was a stain on her jeans, and her white shirt was slightly wrinkled. She pulled on the front of it, hoping the wrinkles would disappear.

Give it up, girl, she told herself with a sigh. Youre a mess.

She checked her watch. It was 11:30 a. m. In ten minutes she would be standing in front of a group of teenage girls in Blufords library. Her stomach flipped nervously every time she thought about it. She had never talked to a large group of people before. But when Ms. Spencer, Blufords principal, called her a few weeks ago, Liselle felt she couldnt say no. Not after all that had happened.

Liselle, I think it would be very helpful for the students to hear your story, Ms. Spencer had said. Id like you to bethe guest speaker at a small assemblyIm having for some of Blufords femalestudents. I know it might be difficult, butwould you be willing to share your storywith the girls here?

I dont know, Ms. Spencer, Liselle had replied nervously. Just hearing her old principals voice again brought back a wave of painful memories. I mean, Idont know what I could tell them. Im nokind of role model. You of all peopleshould know that.

Ms. Spencer had been quiet for a moment, as if she was searching for the right words. You can tell them the truth,Liselle, she finally replied. Your truth.Thats all Im asking.

It had been four years since Liselle had set foot in Bluford High School. She was twenty years old now, and yet she couldnt help but feel like a sixteen-year-old again as she looked around the bathroom. She clearly remembered the blue-and-white checkered tile on the floor, the shiny gray paint on the walls, the echoing of footsteps in the hallway outside. Liselle walked over to the last stall and opened the door. She closed her eyes tight against the memory of what had happened to her there.

I never thought Id be back here, she thought. But here I am.

Liselle took one last look at herself in the mirror. Get it together, girl, she thought. Dont get nervous now. Theyrejust a bunch of kids, right? Then she walked out into the hallway and down the long, silent corridor.

Ms. Spencer was waiting just outside the library door.

Hello, Liselle, she said with a warm smile. Thank you for coming. You look so mature. Not like the young kid I remember.

Thanks, said Liselle, trying to straighten the front of her shirt again. Its been a long time. Sorry Im such a mess. It was a crazy morning.

Ms. Spencer put a reassuring hand on Liselles shoulder. You look just fine. I know you have your hands full these days, and I appreciate you finding the time to do this. Are you ready? The students are waiting for you.

Liselle peeked into the library window. I think so, she replied nervously. Its just... Im still not sure what to say to them.

Just start at the beginning, Liselle. Take your time. I should warn you, some of these girls are more... chal-lenging... than others. But Ill be right there with you, in case we have any problems.

Liselle followed Ms. Spencer into the library. About thirty students were spread out across the room, sitting at tables or in small clusters on the carpeted floor. They were all wearing bright yellow stickers with their names written in black magic marker. Some were waiting quietly, thumbing through their notebooks and fiddling with their pens. Others talked to their friends and shifted impatiently in their seats.

Liselle recognized Jamee Wills, who lived not far from her apartment. Jamee looked surprised to see her there.

Hey Jamee, she whispered with a smile. Jamee smiled quickly and looked away, as if she didnt want her classmates to realize they knew each other.

Yo, Ms. Spencer, when you gonna tell us what were here for? shouted a girl from the back of the room. She was wearing a tight-fitting red T-shirt, dark blue jeans and red lipstick. Her hair was long and brown and arranged into neat thin braids. Her name tag said Tamara.