Thomas had his head down on the table as he waited for
the bell that would send him to math class. He'd never felt
so sick in his life. His coughs carried through the cafeteria
like sad kids calling for comfort that wouldn't come. He
cradled a box of tissues in his arms like a newborn baby.
He hadn't studied for the final exam and wasn't prepared
for the biggest test of his life. Thomas had played sick
twice, and now he was actually sick and out of chances.
The bell called out, laughing at him. That's what you get, it
chuckled. He had made this miserable mess himself, and
now he would muddle through it, moaning all the way.
Thomas blew his nose and shuffled toward the hallway.
Which excerpt from the passage uses figurative language to communicate
the idea that Thomas wishes he had made better choices in the past?
A. He cradled a box of tissues in his arms like a newborn baby.
B. Thomas had played sick twice, and now he was actually sick and