Disclaimer-I do not own any thing that has to do with star trek except the charracter Castel that I made up myself. Don't sue me for including star trek in her creation.

This is my first Star Trek story so please tell me what you think.

The Tortures of Living

Chapter one

"Get up Castel," a voice said, from my dreams. Then something started shaking me. For a second, I thought it was an earthquake, but when I opened my eyes, I saw that it was my roommate, Sharon. Sharon is a Betazoid at the starfleet academy in San Francisco.

"I'm up, ok," I told her. "Just please stop shaking me." I sat up and rubbed my sleep-laden eyes.

"Hurry, get dressed, it's almost time for the ceremony." I knew what she was talking about. That day was the day we would get our assignments. I hoped that I'd get placed on the Enterprise. That is the most famous ship in the Federation.

I put on a clean blue dress and pinned my Cadet's leaf to my collar. Then I brushed my knee-length black hair and put on my silver crown. Then I turned around and looked up at Sharon. I have always been aware of my appearance. Although I am eighteen, because I am a Shirian (from Shira), I look like a six-year-old child, thus, no uniform fits me and I must wear dresses or other clothing that is decent. My size is the reason most Cadets pick and tease me. They'd often pretend that they didn't know me or ask our current teacher why a six-year-old was in their classroom. I ignored most of the remarks, but sometimes the students would beat me or torture me (they did that by kissing me, yuck). I have deep blue eyes that grasp in all knowledge. My skin is sky blue and would be described be most sentient beings as amphibious (I believe that would be "like a frog").

"Ok I'm ready," I told Sharon when I had dressed. Before leaving, I took one last look around the room, and then I grabbed my pick-up-bag and left the room with Sharon.

Once in the auditorium, the simulations instructor, one of my teachers (his name is hard to pronounce but goes something like Commander Nixontheqilrentlaq, and that's the easy version, but most Cadets call him Nixon. He isn't human), dragged both of us behind the stage curtain. I stumbled and fell. Sharon helped me up. As I stood up, I hear a boy say-

"Aww, man. Why is the six-year-old here?"

"You very well know why," Commander Nixon said. "Castel, please find your place in line." I was behind the boy who spoke, I don't know his name, and in front of Sharon. Behind her was her boyfriend, James.

"I can't wait to get on a starship," James said. "What starship do you want to get on Cast?" "Cast" was James nickname for me because he says that when people doubt my ability, I cast the doubt out of them.

"I want to work on the Enterprise," I answered without hesitation. The two boys in front of me burst out laughing.

"You?" no-name asked.

"There's no way you'll get on the Enterprise," the other boy, Romulavon, said. "If anyone's going to get the Enterprise, it's gonna be me." Just to clear it up, Romulavon isn't the boy's real name, his real name's Avonli. Romulavon is a cross between Romulan and Avonli, Romulan coming from the fact that he was evil.

"Shut up, Romulavon," I shot back at him.

"Don't call me that," he said.

"Don't make fun of my dreams," I replied.

"Quiet everyone," Commander Nixon said. Then he walked out onto the stage and started the program. He gave a short speech congratulating each Cadet and then started giving out ranks and assignments. Then five people in front of me didn't get assigned the Enterprise, so my hopes raised a bit. When it was my turn, I walked onto the stage. "Rivers, Castel, Shira, eighteen, will have the rank of Lieutenant and will work on…" I crossed my fingers. "…Deep Space Nine." I reached for my dog tags. I was so disappointed. Then it hit me.

"Um, sir," I whispered to Nixon. "Aren't I supposed to be an Ensign?"

"No," he replied, also in a whisper. "You are more advanced than your classmates. Now go." He pushed me behind the curtain. I sat down and listened as James was assigned to the Forrest Dagger and Sharon to the Armageddon. As they came out, I also heard who was assigned to the Enterprise. It was Wesley Crusher.

"Aww man," James said. "Too bad you didn't get what you wanted, Cast."

"It's all right." I tried to sound nonchalant but only a dead person would think that I wasn't disappointed.

"Shut up," Sharon said. "You know it ain't all right."

"Isn't" I corrected her. "But your right. I hope Wesley rots in Palt'gnast for what he took." That was when they knew I was made. That day was the first day I ever cursed. "But what if we never see each other again."

"Don't worry," Sharon said. "We will."