The Cadet

After

It had been days. Christmas had gone and passed, and I actually spent it with Nan this year. She scolded me for not inviting Spock, but I suspect she knew why. I hadn't been back to campus since that night, and I was dreading going back. Spock has left early the next morning, and I was grateful I didn't have to face him.

I felt so stupid, letting myself fall, even though I knew I was going to get hurt. Him being a teacher hadn't really occurred to me, I was going to be graduated in a few months anyway. But I'm sure it was partially the reason he pushed me away. What he had said to me that night stuck with me, and I hadn't realized how much my mother leaving me affected my relationships. Hell, I even pushed My'ya away when it all was a little too raw for me.

I kissed Nan goodbye, promising to send her details about my next match the following week.

As I rode the train over, anticipation grumbled in my stomach the moment Starfleet Academy came into view. I knew My'ya had returned just a few hours ago, and while I was relieved to finally see her again, I was dreading all the questions.

I was dreading first day back.

I was dreading him.

I shook my head clean of my thoughts and made my way towards campus, walking a relatively short distance to my dorm. As expected, My'ya screamed and engulfed me in a hug.

"Yay! I'm so happy you're here! I've missed you!" She said, squeezing me tightly.

"I missed you too, hun."

"So what was break like for you?" She asked, her eyes glistening with interest.

"Not miserable, I spent it with Nan." I replied, ignoring her obvious interest when I mentioned my grandmother. She knew I hadn't been home in a while, and often urged me to go.

"Well I got you something." She said, decidedly dropping the topic. "I know you tell me every year not to get you anything but I couldn't help myself. I brought my parents back for a little Earth tour and found this for you!" She continued, handing me a box. It wasn't large, but it was bigger than I had expected.

"My'ya, I-"

"Just open it!" She interrupted, bouncing in place with excitement.

I chuckled, carefully unwrapping the festive paper. Underneath was a plain box, no writing or logos to give away what was inside. As soon as I lifted the lid I gasped.

A pair of stark white boxing gloves with a dark blue Starfleet insignia over the forefinger.

"My'ya these are amazing!" I said, taking them out and trying them on. They fit perfectly. "How-"

"I saw them in a sports store, and asked if I could get the insignia on it. They're stain proof, by the way." She said, winking at me.

I smiled at her, wrapping her in a hug. "Thank you."

"You better wear them in your match next week." She warned playfully, giving me a fake stern look.

I laughed, promising I would wear them for practice every day, too.

We spent the next few hours chatting, talking about nothing in particular and just enjoying each other's company.

And not once, did he ever cross my mind.

%%% (ps had to use a new scene change format bc I got a new phone and the keyboard doesn't have the omega sign so 🤷🏻‍♀️)

Thank god for Toby.

Normally, I didn't care if I was called on in class, but all week I had been especially thankful that Toby had come back from break with bright pink hair and gained special attention from Spock during class. I didn't want to talk to the man and the embarrassment Toby got was a small price to pay. When I asked him why he did it, he simply replied with "To raise the big one to my dad."

I guess Toby was a little more deviant that I had originally thought.

I was so thankful for Bones, too. He had come back from break a single man, ready to become independent and strong. His determination to be, quote, "a single, independent man who doesn't need anyone" was slightly inspiring, but god forbid I tell him he inspired anyone.

I mostly ignored Spock, choosing not to maintain eye contact or even respond. At first, he would give me a formal greeting here and there, but figured out quickly I wasn't going to respond. I felt childish that I let him get to me, so I decided to hold my head high and prove to him that I don't need anyone. But man was it hard when I saw him. At odd times during class I would get a flash back of what had occurred during break, and when I would look at him I'd find him already staring. I had learned in my fourth year that a Vulcan mind meld is an ever-present experience, and once you're minds are one, they're that way forever. But I didn't know the extent it went, or if he even really melded with me. I secretly hoped he had just taken a peek inside to see what I felt and that we couldn't just pop into each other's brains whenever we wanted for the rest of time.

I currently sat in a common area, furiously scribbled notes down to hopefully retain some knowledge of Andorian Intercourses before the test I had. Mikael sat down beside me, handing me a small sack.

"What's this?" I asked, shaking it gently.

"I figured if you're going to leave me at the end of term you should have something to remember me by." He said, gesturing for me to open it.

I rolled my eyes at him and dropped the contents into my hand. It was a small necklace with a strange marking. I gave him a confused look.

"It's a traditional Celtic symbol for wind." He said, wiggling his eyebrows at me. "Thought it was fitting for the girl who is more chaotic than a tornado."

I laughed at him, giving him a brief hug before slipping the necklace on. The pendant nestled into the base of my throat, lightly brushing my collarbones.

"You know I'm Scottish, right?" I joked, chuckling as he rolled his eyes at me.

"Mon Cher, nothing is good enough, is it?" Mikael dramatically sighed, feigning hurt.

We talked for a while before heading off to our own respective classes.

Perhaps, I was going to be alright after all.