A Spaceman

Chapter 15--Drink the Milk

I slept better in the brig than I thought I would. Once I got past feeling sorry for myself, it was actually sort of peaceful because my bunkmates tend to snore. I also didn't have to march my flight to the DFAC, an unparalled joy since they aren't so good at marching. I wasn't going to go with Card's scheme to drive the MTIs mad that he proposed on the roof yesterday, but now I think I will. They seriously need the work and I want to pass our test. We have to do a stupid little test on marching, which is by definition stupid because if we don't pass we just test till we do, but it's still a pain because we'll probably have to do it over and over. I'm dreading that. Oh well, never mind about that now, I'm starving, and the meat pies they serve us actually smell good this morning.

**

I am happy to be out of the brig, and if I'm not mistaken our MTIs are in good spirits as well. well, Ebbel's never in good spirits, but he got to pull a 314 on Titus so that cheered him up. Titus was marching his flight while he waited to line up for the DFAC, and he succeeded in having them march in such a way that his initials are, it appears permanently, pounded into the gravel holding area outside the DFAC. That isn't specifically against the rules but that didn't bother Ebbel. Wilde is a bit tired, but she seems pleasant enough, laughed at Titus's shenanigan and just told him "What'd you think was going to happen?" he said "Ma'am, I really couldn't say," which made her laugh at him again. I don't think he knows how really funny he looks in those SBUs that don't fit right and his baby fat cheeks, and then of course he uses all those big words which Ebbel pretends he can understand. Harris is in a much better mood as well, he let Quentin get out of marching his flight to the DFAC, and he called cadence quite nicely for them as well, which seemed to please Quentin who's probably still recovering from the fall he took yesterday. Harris is usually so gruff and Titus thinks he's stupid, maybe he just had something going on because he's in much better spirits than usual.

Thorne isn't here, one of the cadets in Titus' flight is missing, so he's been sent to find him and see where and when the boy was last seen. Not an easy task apparently because according to Tom, he was sent as soon as they all woke up, and he still hasn't returned.

I try to catch sight of Wendy but I can't. she's in Leavitt's flight and they're far ahead of us. it doesn't matter, anyway. it's not like we can say or do anything in plain sight.

**

I lean over and kiss Titus' soft little cheek, which is cut from attempting to shave hair that isn't there. he jumps nearly a foot, which is just the best reaction I could've possibly hoped for.

"Has anybody told you how profoundly stupid you are, Titus Card?" I whisper, before taking advantage of his shock to step out in line to go and collect our trays.

He doesn't dare respond because Ebbel prowls over, no doubt having seen the tail end of our exchange, but not knowing what to make of it. But Titus grins broadly, with a sweet, happy smile I don't think I've ever seen on him. like the good in him just waiting to come out.

I smile back, a little, as I stare down at my tray. The server puts on two meat pies, like usual, and a lump of potatoes. Titus is busy collecting his two glasses of milk.

**

I never eat the pies. But now if I don't take them then it will look as though I know something is wrong. Not that anybody will ever find out what happened to the unfortunate Tim. But it bears being careful. I accept a pie from the server. Then I notice Tom is doing the same. I can't enjoy kissing her mouth later if I've made them cannibal lips.

"Just drink the milk," I say, pushing her pies onto my plate and giving her a glass of milk.

"What?" she hisses, but I shake my head. I'll think of something logical to tell her, later.