Only Rivals?

10.

NURSE POV

I'm already on edge. Since I was separated form Alice all I can think are the admiral words.

"We need to know she can do it on her own. I appreciate the service you have done so far, but we need to make sure she can work perfectly fine even without your help. Knowing you two have great chemistry I must make sure she's still a valuable asset even alone, we need to test her. That's why I divided you two, no hard feelings... really, it's just a test."

If I knew what I know now, probably I'll scold her even more. But that isn't important, what concerns me now is that she doesn't get expelled or sent home today... I'm well aware of her abilities, I tried them on my own flesh, but I do feel responsible for her.

<Nurse, are you okay?> someone asks and I snap out of my unrequited thoughts

<Yes, I'm just thinking too much.> I sigh, noticing I was chewing my cuticles out of stress <I'm worried for that boy...> I admit, getting up and moving across the room to get closer to the radio.

<Is she that bad?> Rooster asks

<Maniacally accurate, just wait and see.> I respond

<Huh, seems entraining.> my pilot adds, I turn to look at him

<Let's pray for that poor soul...> I murmur, getting weird stares

<Pilots, ready for the dogfight?> and that was the starting of the session, after that: just communications in a frenzy, that made me question all of the school manual hearing the shouts of Fanboy -all normal btw- until Coyote got defeated. I almost sighted in relief as I thought the exercitation was over, but BOY was I wrong.

<Slayer, Fanboy, we'll continue> the radio talks again.

<Shit.> I massage my forehead as I feel a headache creep.

<That little pipsqueak is good> hangman says rater entertained, as he looks at the celling from one of the sofas

<Ehm, Nurse... may I ask why she changed navigator? Did you took to much shit because of her?> he ask turning his head towards me, with that smugly ugly expression of his.

<Hangman, dear. Stop, I don't wanna hear a single sound of that trap hole you call mouth. She's being tested like all of US. At least she's trying her best, and it's working. I just hope you won't throw a tantrum when she beats you, that might bruise your ego.> I say in a flat tone, smiling turning back to the radio so I can concentrate and pray again for Fanboy.

...

I'll whoop her ass when she lands, istg I'll do it.

This time I'll do it for real. I bolt out of the room fuming, just in time to se her land. I know the others are following me, I feel like a mother about to scold her child as I speed-walk to her plane. I already see Fanboy sitting on the ground... great, just great.

Thank God that time I listened to my mom and finished that damned curse and became a doctor.

Some time later...

ALICE POV

<That's enough guys.> Hondo says <You have finished for today; you guys can go>

<Finally!> Coyote says laying on the floor <I can't wait to take a shower>

I sit on the concrete passing a head on my sweaty forehead <Yeah, don't say that to me> I look to Fanboy, who is awfully silent as he sits too <You okay?>

He nods <Yes, I'm just exhausted>

I smile giving him a pat on his back <Look, next time we'll make it.>