You’re either really brave or really stupid

The woman's sharp gaze fixed on the plate I had just set before her. For a moment, she said nothing, her eyes scanning the arrangement of lobster and salad with a level of scrutiny that could have pierced steel.

I tried to suppress the nervous energy bubbling in my chest, but the longer she stared, the harder it became to keep my composure.

"It looks far better than the slop those fools attempted earlier," she finally said, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade.

She leaned in closer, inhaling deeply. "The smell is enticing as well. Light, but distinct. And the cooking…" She picked up a fork and knife, her sharp nails clicking against the cutlery. "The cooking appears perfect."

Her words sent a ripple of satisfaction through me, but I kept my expression neutral. Instead, I clasped my hands behind my back, focusing on keeping my breathing even as she picked up a piece of lobster.

The seconds dragged as her fork hovered in the air, and I swore time itself slowed to a crawl when she finally placed the morsel into her mouth.

The woman's face was a fortress of neutrality, a mask that revealed nothing. She chewed slowly, methodically, her eyes darting briefly to the plate before returning to her fork for another bite.

I could feel my pulse pounding in my ears, my confidence from earlier replaced by a gnawing uncertainty. Does she like it? Hate it? Why isn't she saying anything?

She went in for a third bite. Then a fourth. The motion of her hand was precise, unhurried, as if she were dissecting each flavor and texture with scientific precision.

I couldn't help but notice the faintest flicker of something—approval? enjoyment?—in her eyes, though her expression remained as severe as ever. Finally, she set the fork down and cleared her throat, a gesture so abrupt I nearly jumped.

"It's…decent," she said, her tone clipped but laced with something akin to grudging respect. She straightened her posture, folding her hands in her lap as if the plate of food before her no longer existed. "You've passed the test."

The weight of her words hit me like a tidal wave, and for a moment, I could only blink in stunned relief. I wanted to laugh, to shout, to throw my arms in the air like I'd just won a championship, but I forced myself to settle for a small, satisfied smile.

"Thank you," I managed, my voice steady despite the excitement coursing through me.

The woman waved a dismissive hand, already turning her attention to something else. "Leave now. You'll be notified of your acceptance officially in a few days."

I didn't need to be told twice. Spinning on my heel, I headed for the door, my heart racing with a mix of triumph and exhilaration.

The moment I stepped outside, the cool air of the hallway hit me, and I couldn't stop the grin that spread across my face. I did it. I actually did it.

Rowena's car was still parked in the same spot where I'd left it, her familiar figure slouched in the driver's seat.

As I approached, I noticed her tapping furiously at the screen of her phone, a determined frown etched into her face.

She was still in her pajamas baggy gray sweats and an oversized hoodie and the sight of her so casually absorbed in whatever game she was playing made me laugh out loud.

Rowena looked up, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing," I said, opening the passenger door and sliding in. The interior smelled faintly of cereal and lavender air freshener.

"I just forgot how ridiculous you look in your pajamas. Did you seriously not change before driving me here?"

"Why would I? It's not like I was planning on getting out of the car." She glanced back down at her phone, furiously swiping at the screen.

"Besides, if I'd taken the time to change, you'd have been late, and then you'd be crying in this car instead of laughing."

She had a point. "Fair enough."

"So?" she asked without looking up. "How did it go?"

"Oh, it was…" I let the sentence trail off dramatically, savoring the anticipation that flickered across her face. When she finally looked at me, clearly impatient, I couldn't hold back any longer.

"I passed! She said I passed! Well even if the woman was super mean and even made a woman cry" I said while telling her the others things that had happened.

Rowena arched an eyebrow, setting her phone down in the cupholder. "You passed? With that kind of person?"

"Yes. With an angry woman who looked like she was ready to murder someone with her bare hands."

"That's impressive," Rowena said, her tone grudging but sincere. "She doesn't let just anyone through. What did you make?"

"Lobster," I said proudly.

"Lobster?" Her eyebrows shot up. "Seriously? Weren't you just ranting about how terrible everyone else's lobster was?"

"Exactly," I said, crossing my arms. "I needed to prove it could be done properly."

Rowena let out a low whistle, leaning back in her seat. "You're either really brave or really stupid."

"Maybe both." I grinned. "But it worked, didn't it?"

She rolled her eyes, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Alright, alright, I'll give you credit for this one. Good job."

"Thanks," I said, leaning back in my seat and letting out a long, satisfied breath. For the first time all day, I felt truly at ease.

The nerves, the stress, the doubts all of it had melted away, leaving behind nothing but pride and anticipation for what came next.

Rowena picked up her phone again, resuming her game with a half-hearted mutter. "Let's go home now."