The Wasteland That Was Earth

12: Planting The Seeds

With not even a hushed murmur being heard through the large gym doors for almost a full twenty minutes, all the students eventually vacated the thin hallways between the office and first flight of stairs.
That was, all except for Mika and Clay.

Mika was biting her thumb, walking quickly with diminutive steps back and forth before the doors, her polished dolly shoes tapping on the ground, sending a sharp echo down the hall each time.

She was nervous, that was clear enough. But he had no idea why.
Every time Clay tried to speak, she would shush him with a scary glare then continue pacing.
It wasn't as if they were in any danger, it wouldn't be until next year that any of them would have to worry about all that soldier recruitment nonsense. Unable to make any small sound without putting her further on edge, Clay was left, bored, leaned against the wall. Only able to watch her anxious repetitious cycle.

He couldn't just leave her, not when she seemed so stressed. Besides, when that asshole headmaster finally did show his ugly, smug face, the last thing Clay would want is to have him confront her alone.
The man had zero heart, lord knows what he would blurt out without even slightly considering her feelings again. And seeing as Mika appeared to be sensitive enough that day, timidly waiting, the last thing she needed was any trouble from him.

After what felt like an eternity, the doors finally opened, each of the oldest students stepping out one by one with dull expressions. All seemed to head toward the stairs and Mika knew exactly why.

These sorts of days weren't new to her, she'd seen this exact thing take place every year. The students would head to their rooms, gather what little belongings they had, and meet their expectant master in the greenhouse. Only this time, it wasn't exciting. No, the sadness no longer only came from permanently saying goodbye to many friendly faces. Now, she actually had an idea of what was in store for them.
For the students, she had spent her entire life devoting herself to protecting. Such innocent, hope-filled minds would either be forced to work endlessly for some sycophantic tyrant, or worse, considered not good enough and subjected to inhumane testing until their bodies shut down.

Her heart beating faster than ever, Mika watched with sore eyes as each clueless student stepped out.
Until finally, he left the gym.

She ran forward, grabbing Lukas and hugging him tightly. He stumbled a little, taken aback, but flattered nonetheless.

"Woah, hello to you too, little miss." He chuckled, wrapping his arms around her tightly in return.

"Wh-what did he say?!" Mika stammered, pulling away and staring into his eyes with a terrified expression, "Are you going to be a soldier? Are you going with them?!"

"Hey, take a breath, it's alright." Lukas spoke in a soothing voice, brushing the stray hair from over her eyes, "Afraid not, Mika-moo. You're stuck with me for a while yet."

"W-wait, he said you won't be a soldier?!"
She trembled in his arms, the worst possible scenario flooding into her mind. If he wasn't going to be a soldier, were they going to use him like they did the Patel's?

"Nope. Apparently, since I'm the most successful teacher in the school, they can't afford to have me removed just yet. You know, like they did with Kieran down in the waterworks. So I'm pretty much stuck here. Until we find some other decent teachers at least."

"Oh, thank god..."
Mika breathed, finally able to relax as she rested her head against his chest.

"You're not normally this hands-on." Smirked Lukas, "By the way, your boyfriend back there doesn't look too happy."

Pulled from her prodigious relief, Mika turned to see Clay still watching with crossed arms and a confused expression.

Knowing he'd have to get back to his class and that she didn't have to worry, she said goodbye to her friend and stood beside Clay, leaning back against the wall with a huffed sigh.