Tim feels more than isolated. He feels like an alien among the trained Cadets, ironically enough. Tim feels as if he could faint any moment. His face is on fire as he’s introduced into his groupmates with his Advanced ranked Trainer, Gale. His group is a total of seven other Cadets, four girls, and five guys. Nine now, counting Tim.
And they all looked physically buff and fit unlike Tim who knows better than anyone how small and scrawny he is.
“You’re one of the two from Genecis, right?” A girl, much taller than Tim, with streaks of blonde in her hair, unkindly says. “Where’s the other one?”
Tim’s words die in his throat and he’s stuttering out his response. Real smooth Timothy. Tim thinks, inwardly cringing. You’re giving them the best first impression ever. “He’s in class A,” Tim says and he hears a few snickers and mocking muttering from the others.
“Look at him, he’s so scrawny and so scared.”
“We should spook him up more,” A female voice sneers.
Tim tries not to stare at the ground. He’s obviously not welcome here. Every passing minute makes Tim lose every confidence that he’s desperately holding onto. He tries to think about Thieves’s advice but his mind has gone blank.
For a frightening moment, Tim feels different. Maybe practically growing up at Genecis had made Tim different. It was true Tim didn’t have the typical boyish childhood. He’d grown up under dictatorship, punishment, and work. Whatever these boys and girls around his age had, Tim didn’t have it. The difference between them and himself is stark.
“Alright, alright, that’s enough chit-chat,” Gale says and he’s shooting all of them warning glances, clapping his hands once. “First up, we have Weaponry Training and in fact, it’s good Tim showed up because we’re learning how to fire a gun.”
“Don’t worry about them,” One of the girls murmurs to Tim beside him when they huddled near Gale. “The more you give in to them, the more they’ll make an idiot out of you. Just don’t let them get to you.”
“Thanks,” Tim murmurs back but he isn’t sure the girl had heard him. He feels better with the small encouragement but all Tim can think is how much of an idiot he’s going to be with his new groupmates.
Tim stays in the back as his group emerge out into the hallways and walk towards the gun range training room. He takes that time to memorize his group mates faces and his first impression of them. Tim realizes that he can take time to observe them as he reads codes. They’re similar in a way and while Tim know he’s never been a social person, he’s got the brains. His new discovery gives him a rush of confidence and he inwardly smiles.
Maybe this won’t be as bad. Tim thinks.
The rest of the day for Tim is worse. Tim’s used to the bystander effect and maybe Tim feels hurt that no one’s come forward to come to his defense, but Tim thinks today might be the worst day he’s had in a long while.
Hell, Tim thinks bitterly. Days at the Genecis workshop were better.
“How’s it going?” Gale suddenly takes a spot next to Tim at the smooth concrete wall of the training room. It was their final break before they’re husked to the last three classes. Tim can’t even muster his excitement for them; even if it was basic coding, strategic studies, and history.
“I don’t know,” Tim says glumly, bringing in his knees to his chest. His favorite dejected position to be in. “I seem to be fitting in just fine,” He adds sarcastically.
Gale chuckles and Tim sighs. “Guess you’re feeling the difference too?” He says and Tim looks at him with wide eyes. Gale shrugs. “I’ve been there. I was an escort to some abusive Novian alien,” He grins. “I know where you’re at and all you need is some strong will.”
Tim blinks at him and then at his groupmates who have gathered and laugh among themselves, head tipped back, loud laughter echoing off the spacious training room. Tim doesn’t know what to say. Only that he’s grateful for the constant advice. Stryker, Ignyter, Thieves, and even Gale. Adults who know exactly Tim’s feelings. Tim can’t help but smile at that. “I was just thinking how the help I’m receiving is from human adults,” Tim admits.
Gale ruffles Tim’s hair. “Pull through. It’s rough the first few weeks. But I bet it’ll get better over time,” He rises to his feet and stares down at Tim who looks up at him. “Plus, we’re going to get to your strongest expertise,” He grins. “These kids are hopeless at it. Show them what you’re made of.”
Tim grins back, feeling brighter, and he takes Gale’s hand.
Comments (0)
See all