Two humongous gates stand sentry, marking the entrance to my haven of knowledge, Artlis. One of the most prestigious schools in the whole country, having always been famed for its excellent graduates and long history of cultivating geniuses.

I gulp, feeling more nervous than ever before.

All around me students are chattering excitedly, occasionally brushing my shoulders as they pass me in their carefree happiness.

I don’t move from my spot, frozen in place.

What is going on? Why won’t my feet move?

I take deep breaths, trying to calm myself. I’m just overreacting. Yes, this is just another test, one of many to come.

The image of my parents briefly flashes through my mind, but is quickly forgotten as my feet finally move through the entrance.

Perhaps on another day, I would have taken the time to admire the impeccable scenery. However, today is far too important to waste any thoughts on anything but my studies.

“Hey August, are you prepared?” A burly young man with blonde hair calls out to me. As always, his handsome face manages to evoke a faint jealousy in me, but I shrug it off.

So what if he has a good looking face? I outclass him in every way except looks. Or at least until I invent a method to make myself a new face. Then he’ll be inferior in every aspect!

"Why do you even ask? It should be me who asks this, not you.” I send him a condescending look, but he laughs it off with his jovial nature.

"As arrogant as always, huh? Well, no matter.” He scratches his head and joins my side.

I look up at his at least six feet five inches tall frame, wondering why he has to be physically superior in every way.

I wonder whether we’ll be able to stay friends even after the nearing graduation.

"Do you think I can somehow manage to, you know, sneak a tweensy little peek onto your test sheets?” He whispers quietly enough that only the two of us can hear it, his green eyes shining with a familiar mischievous glint.

"Nah, of course not. Don’t you know that the security is tight as hell today?” I point towards some of the normally inactive cameras that are now emitting quiet surring sounds as they swivel around unceasingly.

I shake my head. “Give it up man. Pray to the gods of diligence that they may bless you with a singular brain cell.” I pat his extremely muscular back, hoping that he had learned enough to get a good grade.

"Don’t worry, I will at the very least, not fail.” He gives me a sheepish smile that makes me want to punch him in the face.

Seriously, why is someone like him my best friend?

"The bouldering club again?” I ask him, already aware of what the answer would be.

He stays silent, confirming my suspicions.

"Well, at least you’ll become a famous boulderist, mister “Pebble Kicker”.” I say mockingly.

"Ahem, it is Ser Dwayne Pebble to you!” He replies with a wide grin. “We’ve got an hour before our first exam starts, wanna mess around? It’ll help you relax!”

I sigh and slowly shake my head in feigned disappointment… mostly feigned anyway.

"No, that sounds like a horrific idea. I swear, you won’t so much as be able to even remember your name with an attitude like that. I’m going to use the rest of my time to revise. If you want you can join me, in complete silence of course.”

The massive bundle of tightly packed protein lets out a light laugh. “I would love to… I really would. However, I have to get back to doing something. I’ll tell you what it is once I decide myself.” 

With a final grin, my bulky friend leaves me to do something unlikely to be even remotely beneficial to his studies. Silly fool.

I silently move through the large hallways, heading straight to the library. Now that Dwayne is gone the upcoming test is plaguing me again, filling my head with all kinds of scenarios.

The library will surely be filled with students, however the librarian is very picky on who can enter. People who have no desire to read or study are immediately banned from entering these holy grounds.

Hehehe. There are no Dwaynes to be found here! Not in my peaceful paradise of diligence!

I sweep my eyes around the spacious room, searching for a particular table, found in the far corner of the room. Far from other distracting lifeforms.

To no one’s surprise, I found Catherine sitting on our usual spot.

Not wasting any words, I sit down opposite of her. She looks up briefly, but returns her gaze to the book in front of her soon enough.

"Late as usual.” She comments.

I grunt in response, carefully stacking all the books I need onto the table.

I sigh. “Which university do you plan on entering?” I ask her. I won’t have anyone worthy enough to compete against if she’s gone after all.

"Mistralis. The same one you’ll be attending, right?” She says, still not looking up for even a single second.

I lean back, feeling strangely relieved. “What do you think the future will look like?” My gaze slowly wanders to the tall ceiling.

"Pretty much the same as it is today, I guess. I don’t think that university will be different, really. The only change I can imagine would be the difficulty.” She finally puts her book away, proceeding to stare at me with her dark, hazel eyes.

"It feels like today isn’t significant enough, you know? This is the end of a big part of our lives. The end of high school. I...kinda imagined something more - well, what did I imagine?” I scratch my head in annoyance, wondering why I’m suddenly talking so much.

"Something not so ordinary?” She completes my sentence with ease. “I know how you feel. This is kind of unreal. In the end all of this will be just a bunch of fond memories. A stepping stone for the future, if I have to be frank.” She continues my rambling.

I smile, happy that she is sharing my sentiment. “Who would have thought that this day would come so fast? It’s almost as if it were yesterday when I first entered this school.” I smile as many memories, both good and bad, rush into my mind.

"I don’t think we should think about the past this much. Let’s just focus on the present, lest we make a mistake in our tests we won’t be able to correct.” Catherine claps her hands, giving her words better emphasis. 

I nod, fully aware that my rambling had been distracting. 

*Gogoogoooooong*

All graduates to be are ordered to go into their respective testing halls. I repeat, all graduates to be are ordered to go into their respective testing halls.”

A deep voice blares through the speakers, informing us that the time has come.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

I lift my head up in confusion. What? How did this much time pass so quickly?

Well, I have prepared myself more than enough anyway. Glancing at Catherine, I notice that she seems a little fidgety, but otherwise fine. At least I’m not the only one who is nervous.

I stand up and pack my things, waiting for Catherine once I’m done.

We step out of the library, only to stare at the hulking mass of muscle called Dwayne waitíng for us.

Catherine smiles at him. “So our muscle-headed friend has decided to join us?” She asks him teasingly.

Dwayne blows her a kiss, following with a middle finger in the same motion. “Well, not everyone can be a geek like you, my plain friend.” He gives her a provocative stare, to which she responds with cold humph.

I shake my head at their silly antics. They get along pretty well normally but whenever we are about to write a test they behave like five year old arch enemies.

I go ahead, not wanting to be caught in the crossfire. I did, once. It didn’t go well at all.

They soon followed me, and after passing some sparsely populated hallways we step into an undecorated hall.

The dozens of desks filling it coupled with the plethora of cameras covering every imaginable angle give me the impression of a prison, but I shake my head at the silly thought.

I move down the many rows composed of tables, looking at each of the name labels on the left of the desks until I find the one assigned to me.

Taking my seat on the second to last row, I heave a big sigh when I see that no acquaintances of mine are near me.

This is the time. You must succeed. No failures.

A few men and women in suits go from row to row, giving every participant their test sheets. My heart starts accelerating as they come closer, but I am rather happy by that.

This is a sign that the test will go great. The pressure will allow me to use my knowledge to its greatest effect.

The one who is responsible for my row, a young woman in her twenties, passes me while laying it in front of me.

A sinking feeling suddenly appears in the pit of my stomach, but I identify it as just another bit of pressure that will drive me to even greater heights.

I mumble a quick prayer to the gods of diligence and start writing with my lucky pen, Rodger.

I take my time to go through every question carefully, not daring to make a mistake on the slightest occasion.

Although this way of doing things takes far more time, I’m fairly confident that I’ll be able to complete the test in time. This isn’t the first time I do this after all.

I turn the page, stopping at the next question.

"Name three reasons for procrastinating and how to avoid them:”

These words are like a hammer, smashing down on my head, completely shattering every resemblance of thought that had ever resided in it.

My mouth dries up as I can’t think of an answer. Wanting to skip this question and leave it for later, I find out that I

It’s as if a force is stopping me from doing so. Like this question is something that I have to answer.

What’s going on?

My breathing accelerates. I notice that my hand is shaking wildly, but no matter what I do I can’t stop it.

Why should someone ever procrastinate?

Why?

How?

Could there be any reasons for procrastination?

NO! There aren’t!

I suppress my urge to think about this any further and move my pen next to the space where I should begin.

I want to write a big  NOTHING, but my hand won’t move.

I MUST NOT fail at this, my parents have worked too hard for this after all. Wait… That doesn’t seem right.

Surely it is me who is pushing this hard for my future, they’re just looking out for me. Right?

I breathe out. The pressure seems a little lighter now.

Breath in. When did they ever look out for me?

They never made a move to help me, always reaping the benefits of my effort and bragging about my good grades. They only care for their own reputation.

Have they always been this shallow?

Exhale.

What do I actually want to do with my life? Not what my parents tell me, but what do I want?

Have I ever been allowed to decide?

No. I haven’t.

It was always “August do this, August do that.”, but never once did they nicely ask me.

Never once did they ask for my thoughts on any matter.

It was always orders, and I followed them like a good kid. Why?

Then what am I even doing this for?

How much is their love really worth compared to what I’ve missed because of them?

All those invitations, all these stories of their wild parties. I don’t regret missing out on them, they never really interested an introvert like me anyway.

But what about love?

What about...I don’t even know WHAT ELSE  I even missed in the first place!

Inhale.

No, I am finally realizing something. My parents, those pushy headmasters and businessmen. They can all go fuck themselves. Take their plans for me, their selfish desires for my future, and just RUIN ALL OF THEM.

Is this what you want?

A cold, apathetic voice resounds in my head.

Then why don’t you just...procrastinate? Let’s just do nothing anymore. Wouldn’t the look on their faces be priceless? Your future weighs the world, yet it is supported by pillars of sand.

I exhale, the last bits of my past life flashing through my mind as I do so.

Why does this seem so convincing?

Don’t you think that we have done enough? Let’s just take a break. We’ve earned it.

Yes, let’s do just that.

I’m done with all of this.

From now on I’ll do what I want.

Or just nothing at all.

AN: Jahnes: Don’t worry, this is the end of the prologue. We just wanted to inform you that both the PoV as well as the tense will change after this.

Donkeymonsterz: And now we can get into the core of the story…. PROCRASTINATION!