Appropriate Compliments Apply

This is not based in any existing Defence Corps; it will not be associated with any of them as such either.
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I hated her. I hated the way he looked at her. I hated that he looked at her like that and not me.
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I've been in cadets for three years. Ruster has been in cadets for two years. And he's already a higher rank. The boot licking really paid off, I thought bitterly. I've been here longer, I've made more of an impact, I've worked harder behind the scenes, and yet he's the one who gets all the glory. I'm sick and tired of it. This needs to stop, and I will end it, even if it kills me.
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Two years in and I'm already ahead of the third years. This is insane. Who would've thought that all the sucking up to staff would pay off? I guess none of the third years are competent enough. Apart from one of them...what was his name? The one with wavy brown hair and chocolate-coloured eyes. I bet his hair feels really soft and fluffy too. I wish I could run my fingers through it...I shook my head. What was I doing, thinking of someone like this? Much less a boy, and a lower rank. I have a girlfriend.
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Terrence has been talking about Edwards an awful lot. It's starting to make me wonder if there's more to their relationship than what I'm seeing. I suppose boys will be boys. I can't really stop them. But...I just hope it doesn't go any further.
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This story is about recognising feelings that are more than just professional feelings, and as much as you wish to push them away, it's impossible to ignore. It is about moments that shouldn't happen, aspects against policy, touches that feel illegal. It runs the thin line between professionalism and something more, and knowing when to stop, but ignoring that and pushing, not only the boundaries, but the limits of the rigid structure that is implemented.