Chapter 20

Dickie got up from his seat as the other students cleared out of the classroom. As he headed for the door…his teacher beckoned to him.

Dickie slowly approached the desk…straight face. Underneath though…he felt slightly anxious.

"Before you left…I just wanted to say that I am very much impressed with your performance in my class,"

Dickie blushed slightly…but his expression remained the same. He briefly glanced down at his feet to look casual.

"Uhhh…thank you," he muttered…feigning disinterest.

She flashed a small smile.

"I'm serious…I'm sorry if I kind of put you on the spot earlier. I was just really excited. Your essay on border disputes was so succinct…I am almost believed you were there," she chuckled a bit.

Dickie's lips curled into a small smile…for just an instant.

"I guess I'm just really good with details,"

She got up from her desk…and started packing up a stack of padds into a bag.

"Well…you should be very proud of yourself. Starfleet is lucky to have you,"

"Thank you,"

She smiled at him again.

"That's all…I just wanted to tell you that. You can run off to whatever it is you were going to do now. Thanks for listening," she chuckled.

Dickie nodded to her in respect…and strutted out proudly.

Once he was far and away…he jumped for joy and let out a yelp of success.

When Dickie entered his dorm…he had a huge smile on his face and tears of joy dribbling down his chin.

First he flopped on his bed…and curled up to his pillow, jittering with pure joy.

Than he leapt to his feet…performing his own variation of a victory dance.

It was something like…bending his knees inward and outward, and pumping his fist forward and backward.

"I'm aw-some! I'm aw-some!" he chanted again and again.

Dickie didn't notice his roommate sitting at his desk.

At this point…his roommate was gaping at Dickie…his lower lip slowly drifting downwards. He had an odd and confused look on his face.

"Heyyy…Dick,"

Dickie froze mid-victory dance. He glanced over at his roommate…his mouth now gaping open and his eyes wide.

"Oh…hey," he muttered.

"Uhmm..."

The two stared at each other for a moment…the same odd expressions on their faces. At this point…Dickie's face was crimson.

"I…uh…had a good day?"

His roommate was silent for a moment. He seemed to kind of be in shock.

"Yeahhhhh…"

Dickie took a seat on his bed. His face returned to his usual glum look.

"What's up with you?"

"Oh…I'm just studying for my ethics test. You sure you're okay?"

Dickie rolled his eyes.

"Yeah,"

"I feel like I haven't talked to you for weeks, Man. My professors have really been cramming the homework,"

"Yeah…its whatever,"

Dickie picked one of his textbooks out of his bag.

"Did you hear about that David kid?"

He was about to open it; he glanced up…half-disinterested.

"No," he said…slightly bitterly.

"He left campus. Went shooting out of one of his classes like a mad man,"

"Yeah…so?" he replied…more annoyed.

"He was on probation. They're probably gonna can 'em,"

"Oh…that's too bad," he replied…dispassionately.

Inwardly, however, Dickie was yet again jumping for joy.

He silently pumped his fist in victory.

"We should catch up sometime, Man,"

"Yeah, sure," Dickie replied, smiling contently.

"Breakfast tomorrow?"

"Sure thing,"

As Dickie opened his book and turned the pages…he couldn't help but think of that sparring match between David and himself. How much he had destroyed his confidence.

"I guess I get the last laugh," he whispered…beaming.