October 12, 2023

Everyone was serving themselves dessert on a tray before sitting down at their desks. I started eating my plate of cake and jello. We were given a sheet of red and gold star stickers and offered the opportunity to trade them with other students however we wanted. I was wondering whether I should just give the entire sheet away since I didn’t see a use for them.

A little while later, people started returning their trays of untouched food. Someone told me that is was a test and we weren’t actually supposed to eat the dessert, but to make it look presentable before sending it back to be evaluated. They told me there was still 15 minutes left until the end of the period if I wanted to try again. “What are the stars for then?” I asked. “Misdirection.”

I decided to just forget about the assignment as it would be a waste of food for something that wouldn’t even get me a good grade.