She picked up the styrofoam cup from the marble table just to have something in her hands, holding the warm cup through her sleeve.

“The testing rooms are closed to spectators until twelve thirty,” Vanessa said, looking up with her hands folded in her lap.

“You’ll just be standing in the cold corridor.”

Claire turned her back on the table and walked away.

The central hallway was crowded with parents carrying program booklets and coaches going over typed schedules.

The floor wax smelled sharp and clean under the bright fluorescent lights.

Claire turned the corner toward the drinking fountains, looking for a quiet bench away from the crowd.