The value of the seemingly endless Launchy days, as full of learning and practice as they were, might have been lost upon Ender, had it not been for the antics of his friends. Bernard and Shen would invariably get caught up in an argument about one thing or another, and Alai would intervene with smiles and soft words of compromise to break up the rising tension.
Today, though, as the other two debated en route to dinner, Alai fell into step with Ender, watching them. Ender watched as well- Shen had been talking excitedly with gestures to match his enthusiasm, and Bernard abandoned a more serious response for flapping his arms around in a ridiculous and inaccurate mock of it. Shen colored and glared at the other boy, who began laughing, saying something about how Shen would kill someone like that one of these days. Shen punched him on the shoulder and replied that Bernard was the one who looked like he was having a seizure, but Bernard's smile was infectious and it caught on. The peace treaty didn't last that long, though, and the two began to get more belligerent as they entered the mess hall.
Ender's attention was brought back by laughter beside him. Alai was smiling. He looked at Ender and shook his head. Ender smiled back, shrugging. Who knew what was up between those two?
"Some things never change," said Alai.
"Eh."
"Remind me to ask you something later. And save me a seat."
"Okay," said Ender, and Alai went to placate the quarrel.
***
The boys filed into the Launchy barracks after dinner to find a single boy lying in a bunk at the back of the room. They slowed to linger like a clot in the doorway and their voices fell to a whispering silence at the sight of the lonely figure. It was Alai, face-down and completely still, sprawled over his bed. They watched for the rise and fall of his breath; it was slow, deliberate, and sometimes long in coming. The silence dampened what frivolity they had felt in the halls, and they slipped into their beds with their tails between their legs. Shen timidly wandered over to Alai, and asked whether he was alright. There was a slight movement of Alai's head, maybe a nod. Shen backed off.
As time went on, some dared to whisper questions to those nearby- the bed by the door was empty. Even after lights out, there was an unsettling void in the bunk, as there was in Alai's heart, at his and his group's prize jewel being ripped so unfairly away from him.