Spock had met up with Jim after his last class of the day. They walked to dinner to meet up with Bones. While walking down the hall Jim held out his hand to stop Spock and waved him over to a sign.
"Spock the homecoming dance is coming, you gonna ask a girl?" Jim said.
"I am unfamiliar with this event known as homecoming."
"Homecoming is when alumni of the school come back and then there is a big dance."
" I understand fully. If you are asking me if I will escort a woman to the dance then my answer is no."
"Why not? I know that there has to be some girl you like at this school." Spock walked away from Kirk, but he quickly followed him.
"So I take it as a yes because you didn't say no."
"Jim I rather not answer personal questions."
"You don't have to tell me the girl's name, just say if your going to take the girl?"
"No."
"Are you at least going to go?"
"I rather not attend this event, I will spend my time elsewhere."
"Spock you are a teenage boy not a old man. Enjoy your senior year, boldly go where no man has gone before."
"You and I are two different beings who live our lives from opposite thoughts. Your idea of enjoyment is not the same for me."
"Ok while we all are dressed nice and having a fun time, you can have for fun in our dorm room." The two boys continued down the hall toward the busy cafeteria, entering the room they saw Bones sitting with a brunette girl who was rather somewhat attractive. She was caressing the nape of his neck and was kissing his earlobe. Jim and Spock approached the two, Jim cleared his throat causing Bones to jump.
"Hey guys…Uhh Linda." Bones said. Linda let go of Bones, grabbing her tray she looked at Jim.
"Hi Jim." She had quickly left to dispose of her food and left the room.
"Have you guys heard of PDA?" Jim asked. He took a seat across from Bones and Spock sat next to Jim.
"Yes, but she needs me at this time, even if she's a bit clingy."
"And you want to marry that?" Jim asked.
"I have to Jim. Anyways you guys hear that homecoming is coming up?"
"Yup and I'm trying to convince Spock to take a girl cause I he has a crush on a mystery girl." Jim said. Bones raised his eyebrows.
"Mr. I-show-no-emotions has a crush?" Bones said with shock in his voice.
"I do not have what you call a crush." Spock said.
"Don't listen to him Bones and I'm gonna find out who she is." Bones pulled out his PADD, scanning it quickly.
"Oh Spock I wanted to tell you that I will only be in biology once a week now because I got into that Pathology class."
"Congratulations to you." Spock said.
"Thanks. Looks like you need a new lab partner." Bones said without looking up.
"That is not a problem, I will be fine." Spock replied, he then stood up to see what was being served. He went to the food line when he noticed Nyota was ahead of him. He approached her with his usual unemotional looked, she looked at and gave the smile he liked to see.
"Hi Spock, how are you?" she asked.
"I am well, I hope you are doing the same as well."
"I am. Have had a chance to talk to your instructor yet?" She asked as she took a apple from a fruit bowel and placed it on her tray.
"I have, he says that it unfortunate that you could not sign up for the course, but is impressed that you strive to learn."
"What can I say? I like to learn and have a head start."
"He has given us special permission to use the labs after class hours."
"That's great! When can we start?" He could tell that she was excited by her lighten tone in her voice.
"When ever is convenient for you." he asked.
"Can we start now?"
"If you want to, but what about your supper?"
"I can eat along the way."
"I need to get my belongings. Meet me outside the cafeteria doors." He went back to his table where Jim and Bones were engaged in a conversation. The two boys looked at their Vulcan friend when he gathered his belongings.
"Hey where are you going?" Jim asked.
"I have to go to the phonology lab."
"Well Bones and I will go with you."
"No, that is not necessary. Also I am tutoring a student and we need to limited distractions.
"Alright well have fun." Bones said. Spock proceed out the cafeteria door. Nyota was standing against the wall eating her apple. The two walked downstairs to the doors that led to the quad. The cool wind blew past them as the doors opened to the cool autumn air. Spock didn't know what to say to her and all he could think about was the homecoming dance and wondered if he should ask her. He needed to say something related to the subject of school so that his emotions would not get the best of him.
"I am curious, how many dialects are you proficient in? he asked.
"Right now 80% in the Federation dialects."
"Fascinating. I am truly impressed."
"Thank you, I guess the years learning with my father paid off. He was a communications officer on the USS JeVought, he later retired and took my mother and I around the galaxy to learn about different alien cultures."
"I assume that you would like to follow in his path."
"Yes, I do. Spock you are a interesting person also." The statement that left her mouth confused him.
"Technically a person is referred to a human, I am hybrid since I am human and Vulcan."
"Sorry, I mean you are interesting being."
"May I question that statement?"
"I have met Vulcan's before, but you are different. You are act like a Vulcan, but something about sets up apart. Sorry if I have insulted you."
"No you have not done so."
"Your different in a good way. You have potential."
"I am not sure if I understand fully, but I will take as a compliment."
"Alright." They made it across the quad and into the language labs in the science building. The lab was empty and quiet, leaving them completely alone; the environment made things seem more intimate leaving Spock a bit uncomfortable. They took a seat in front a large monitor, large systems surrounded the desks and Nyota scanned her area becoming more interested.
"I will give you a tutorial on the basic equipment and we can start a lesson another day."
"Alright." she replied. He opened the computer system that he used for his class.
"This is the program we will be using. It is called P-99D communication learner. With this program you have over 800 languages to translate from and also practice scenarios to help encode the most challenging frequencies."
"Ok." She said. She was most interested in the program that she sat in edge of her seat. He picked up what looked like a earpiece and held it front of her.
"This device which I am sure you are familiar with, will help you listen to frequencies more efficiently."
"You are right."
Twenty minutes had passed as he showed her the lab and the equipment. He had let her play around with the program to get a feel for it and practice some example frequencies that she succeeded in. Her confidence was truly boosted, he was happy that he was able to help her. They had closed the lab down and walked down the hall in silence. He was feeling pressed to say something to break the silence and the only thing he think was still asking her to the dance.
"I am in the lab for one hour on Wednesday and Friday nights at five. If you would like to accompany me you are most welcomed to do so."
"Alright thank you" she said. "Hey what are you doing tonight?" He cocked his head to her question.
"I have some studying to attend to. Why do you ask?"
"Well I was wondering if you would like to hang out?"
"Hang out? Do you mean spend time with each other without academics being involved?"
"That's exactly what I mean."
"I have to decline on your invitation. I have much work to start"
"Its fine, maybe another night." Her tone was rather disappointed but she tried to keep to voice happy. They had reached the quad to see that it was empty except for them. She had covered her arms with her hands to keep herself warm, he wanted offer her something to keep her warm, but he had nothing to offer. "Well, I'm going back to my dorm. Have a good night and I will see you in biology tomorrow."
"Have a good night." he said. He watched her walk down the sidewalk until she disappeared in the distance.
