Blood and Genetics

Burned

Mr. Harris clapped his hands. "Alright, we're back in the simulators! Not every single one of you will experience a fire in your flight- it will all be at random. I don't want any of you knowing that a fire will or will not be in your plane because in real life, you will not have that luxury."

He started calling names, and Keith zoned out, his mind wandering to how much his hands and face itched, and how much he wanted to scratch at the still-healing burn wounds. The thought of the school nurse frowning at him and scolding him about how he needed to let the wounds heal was enough to scare him off from itching at the burns, though.

Mr. Harris called Lance's name, and Keith sighed. He missed the simulators, and being able to fly, even if it was all an illusion. He also missed hoverbike rides with Shiro. Shiro had decided that they were "too close to exercise" and that he wouldn't take Keith out on the hoverbike until Dr. Jenny gave him the all-clear.

Keith rubbed at his chest, which had grown tight. Why was it doing that? Keith ruled the weird tightness as nervousness that maybe Griffin would beat him in the simulators- even though he knew it would never happen.

Before he knew it, the whole class had gone through the simulators, and the bell was ringing. He got up to go, but Mr. Harris put a hand on his shoulder. "Keith, wait."

Keith stopped, his heart jumping to his throat.

"Keith, I know that you've been restricted due to your recent injuries, but I'm worried that without simulator time, you'll fall behind your classmates."

"Sir, I—"

Mr. Harris held up a hand. "I know that it's not your fault, but as your teacher, I don't want your chances to be ruined by the fire. You're talented, but talent is honed by practice."

"I can't practice, though, the doctor said—"

"I have spoken to Doctor Jenny, and she agrees that it would be a shame for you to be put behind your flight group. She believes that since you are young, you will bounce back from your injuries fairly quickly. So she's given you a pass to be allowed into the simulators, and even to participate in your flight group's gym classes on alternate days."

"Really?"

"Yes, really."

"Thank you, sir."

"Anytime, Keith. I want to see you succeed, as your teacher. Speaking of Doctor Jenny, though, she wants to see you today."

"Yes, Sir. Thank you."

Keith stopped by his room to drop his backpack off, get changed out of his Garrison uniform, and check on his tree. It was doing okay, he thought. Not as well as the tree in the greenhouse did, but it was on his windowsill. He couldn't expect much out of it.

His computer pinged with unread messages, some from Katie, some from Shiro. Shiro's were reminding him to see the school nurse- which he had also done when he'd brought Keith's medication- and a reminder that his library books were due soon, and he needed to give them to Shiro to give to Matt, who would see if he could check them out again.

Katie's message, however, was a little more interesting.

I'm coming to the Garrison with my mom. If you don't want to see me, that's okay, but I'll be at the library around 16:30 if you're not still angry with me.

Keith glanced at the time. 13:00 hours. He'd have the time. He booked it to the infirmary, where a nurse promptly took him to see Doctor Jenny. The doctor smiled at Keith.

"How have you been feeling?"

"Fine." Keith thought of the chest pain, but dismissed it. "No hoarseness. No coughing. Ma'am, is it true that I'll be able to go back into the simulators?"