Interstellar Academy

01: First Day

Jim attempted, and failed, to stuff the last remnants of his "necessities" into his suitcase. His mother snuck up behind him and shoved him aside playfully. "You can't even pack your own suitcase, and you're training to lead a ship? May there be mercy on that crew."

"Mom, no, look. I got this, really. I won't be alone."

"I'm well aware if that, James P. Hawkins," his mother scolded, still being playful. This caused Jim's face to turn a bright red.

Jim hadn't seen much of Nova since they arrived back at the Space Port. In fact, other than the party held to celebrate the Benbow Inn's renewal, they hadn't spoken to each other period. She'd found a few of her people had stayed at the inn, and she took the free ride home.

"It's not like we'll never see each other," she'd promised, grabbing hold of his hand. Her smile was particularly bright that night, despite the fact her hair and clothes were a mucky mess; she'd been helping them around the inn all day.

"I-I know. But still. Three months is a long time." He couldn't bring himself to look at her. "And, uh, I don't… I don't know, you know, where WE stand…"

There was a long silence, and not able to stand not know what could be going through her head, he glanced over at her. She was wiping her eyes.

"Hey, look, that came out wrong. I didn't mean-"

"N-no, I understand. I don't either, Jim, honestly. A-and I think three months would make that easier. On the both of us. When we see each other again, and it's obvious we missed each other A LOT then that should confirm everything."

And the next day she was gone. No hug. Not even a good-bye. She was just gone, with her people.

The first couple of weeks he moped around, but after some encouraging words from his mother- and uncharacteristically threatening words from B.E.N., the inn cook and local robot- he'd gotten out of his slump.

Now a fresh start was in store for him. He was going to be a freshman at the Interstellar Academy, a cadet school. He was going to meet up with Nova and hopefully confirm his feelings for her. He was going to graduate in three years a full-time spacer.

He couldn't wait.

They went to the Space Port, where the Academy's ship had docked. Jim was hauling his mother along, too excited to wait any longer. He adorned a pair of baggy jeans, held up by a red belt and a black t-shirt, a dark grey jacket tied around his waist, lest it get cold during the night.

"Jim, I may look young, but I'm so much older than you believe!" she said, urging him to slow down.

Jim halted in his place to glare at his mother. "You're not old, mom. Stop it."

His mother laughed, linking arms with her son. B.E.N. was right behind them, hauling all three of Jim's suitcases with ease. He placed them with some crewman, but not until it was confirmed it was the right ship. Even then, Jim, his mother and the crew had to fight with the robot to convince him he was putting the luggage into good hands.

"I can't help it, Jim," the robot said, beginning his dramatic sobbing. "I just, I'm gonna miss ya!"

Jim placed an annoyed yet sympathetic hand on B.E.N.'s back, lulling him to quiet down. "Hey, I'll be back for holidays and other special occasions."

"BUT IT WON'T BE THE SAME-"

Sarah placed a hand on B.E.N.'s mouth, shutting him up completely.

"I'm done," he muttered between her fingers.

"Glad to hear it!" Sarah laughed, then faced her son seriously. "Remember why you're going: to become a great spacer. And even though you've had pirate adventures in the past, and have shown you're much more disciplined than before, don't forget you're still a student. And also don't forget-" She paused, becoming choked up. "I love you, Jim."

Jim smiled softly at his mother, kissing her cheek and hugging her tightly. Then he leaned back to wipe her eyes. "Hey, mom. It's OK. I'll be OK, I promise." One final wave and he boarded the ship, looking around at the cadets.

He felt less self-conscious, noticing that he was more in the middle when it came to age; some obviously new students, some more experienced students. His eyes scanned for viciously for a familiar head of black hair.

When he saw a waist-long black braid leading up to a set of pointy ears, he knew he found his target. She wore the familiar, casual camo green skirt that reached mid-thigh, lime green long sleeved off the shoulder shirt, and brown under-tank top she usually wore to make herself comfortable. Her boots were the dirtier, but still the usual black ones she wore.

He made his way slowly to her, his heart racing. What if he looked too different? During the summer, he'd grown his hair to fit into a short ponytail that he tied just at the nape of his neck, and he did in fact look older, if only by a little bit. What if she only enjoyed the boy Jim? What if this new Jim wasn't for her?

And worst still, what if she found someone else?

He placed a hand on her shoulder, and she spun around, large green eyes at first frightened. Then they went from scared to excited in a heartbeat.

"OH, JIM!" She wrapped her arms around his neck and flung herself onto him, catching him off guard. He composed himself and spun her around, setting her down and putting her arms-length from him to really look at her. She'd also grown up in the three months they hadn't seen each other.

A LOT.

"You- uh, you look… I mean-"

"So do you!" She interrupted, giggling at his stuttering. "Jim, I've missed you so much!" She hugged him again, this time more tenderly, resting her chin on his shoulder- barely. He'd grown quite a bit since they'd last seen each other. "I'm so happy to see your face."

"I feel the same," he said, hoping she'd catch the double meaning in his words. He detached himself from her, making her do the same. "But, hey, we gotta catch up- after cabin meeting."

"Sounds perfect," she said softly, waving and turning away from him and heading toward the girls' bunking area.

He watched her leave, dazed, until someone smacked him back into reality.

Literally.

"HEY!" Jim hollered, whipping his head around.

Two people- if you could call them that- stood behind him. One of them was a taller gentleman, green skin and slightly larger proportioned head than most do compared to their bodies. His eyes were black, but even proportioned with the rest of his face. His body was lean, but not exactly strong. And beside him stood a silver plated, built-lean robot with shining yellow eyes. The green fellow wore black pants and red tank top, while his companion simply wore jeans.

"Girlfriend?" asked the green one.

Jim was confused and a little irked; why would they care whether Nova was his girlfriend?

"Ah. No. Not exactly." He raised an eyebrow at them. "But hello?"

"Oh! How rude of us!" exclaimed the robot. "I'm Stav. Short for Star Navigator. This is Ruse, fresh cadet and also my best friend. And you are?"

"Uh, Jim." Suspicious, as was his custom, he maneuvered past Stav and Ruse toward the boys' bunking quarters. "Were you… watching us?" It's not like he was already insecure with himself, now he had spectators.

"Well, we noticed you were new, and were discussing who would be our third bunk mate would be-" began Ruse.

Then Stav finished, "but then we saw you were in an… intimate moment and didn't want to disturb."

"Well, thanks, I guess." He back tracked to their previous statement. "Third bunking mate?"

"Yeah. There are seven rooms, each with a single bed and 2 bunk bed," said Ruse.

"And it was either you, or that guy." Stav pointed to a gelatinous creature who seemed to smell so foul no one went near him.

"I see your point." Jim nodded at them. "I'm game to be your third bunkmate. On two conditions."

Ruse and Stav listened intently.

"First off, I get the single bed."

"As was expected; we're already set up in the bunk bed," informed Stav.

"And secondly, do you guys mind pets?"

And with that, Morph, Jim's jelly-like pink creature, swam out of Jim's pocket where he was hiding and out into the open, only for Jim to cup him in his hands. "MORPH NOT NOW."

At first, Stav and Ruse said nothing, which made Jim believe he'd be bunking with Jellyman. However, they both smiled brightly first at each other, than him.

Simultaneously: "AWESOME."