Chapter 2: Grades

It was October now, two months into school. I had already had at least one quiz in each of my classes, well except for phys ed. October was one of the months of the year that I absolutely could not stand. My whole life, everywhere I went, and it was no different here, I was "asked" if I was going to be a witch for Halloween.

"Why do adults have to be so immature?" I complained to my mother during our scheduled comm call one evening.

"Sugar, when people are like that, it's because of one of two things. Either they are jealous or their ignorant. How are your grades so far?"

"I've got two A's, two B's, and a C." I told her. Daddy was the first to comment, I knew he would be.

"C's are average…" he began, "and you are an above average student." he and I finished in tandem.

"Daddy, you've told me that my whole life. My C is in Phys Ed. With all of my other course work, it's hard to get exercise in."

"Perhaps you talk with your academic adviser. I'm sure that there is a way to fix your daily schedule so that you can get more time for Phys Ed in."

"Momma, that's a good idea." I smiled my crooked smile at her suggestion, " I'm not sure who my academic adviser is though. I think it might be Professor Tak. I received a message saying who it was at the beginning of the year. I'll double check and let you know what happens next time we talk."

"Alright my sigogglin smiling child. We look forward to hearing about it next month. I hope you're coming home for Thanksgiving."

"I'm fixin on it. I really miss my garden." I said as my eyes started welling up and I rubbed my locket between my fingers.

"Oh, precious, I know you do. We've been taking care of her for you. She looks beautiful."

"Thank you Momma. Thanks Daddy, and thank you for sending me your sermons. I love y'all."

"You're more than welcome, Dawn." Daddy replied, "We love you too. Bye honey, we'll talk again soon."

I looked for that message for who my academic advisor was, I'm almost sure it was Professor Tak. I told myself while looking for the message. I found it and opened it.

Cadet Davis,

Welcome to Starfleet Academy! During your first year, you will be studying not only core curriculum but also curriculum for your area of focus. There is tutoring available each night of the week with older Cadets. Their tutoring schedules will be posted in the class's corresponding building. Should you require a schedule change or any other assistance, contact your academic advisor, Professor Spock.

May you do well in your endeavors,

Admiral Jones

"Wonderful"

"What's wonderful?" my roommate said as she came through the door at the same moment.

"Hi Keri. I need some help with time management. My Momma suggested I talk with my academic advisor. I thought my advisor was Professor Tak. It turns out it's Professor Spock." I sighed.

"Oh, yeah. I see what you mean. Boy that Vulcan is, well, very Vulcan. Even though he's only half Vulcan."

"He's half Vulcan?"

"Yep! You really don't listen to the local gossip, do you?"

"I try my best to ignore it." I said a little annoyed.

" Well, I suppose that's not really gossip; it's a fact that's not talked about very much. Good luck though. From what I hear, he can be brutal."

"If that's true, I don't ever want to be on his bad side. Looks like I'm going to have to face him some time though. My parents are expecting me to fix my Phys Ed grade by next month."

"Are you going to talk to him tomorrow?"

"I reckon I should and just get it over with."

"Okay. I'm going out." she announced as stripped off her uniform and put on a black and white block pattern cocktail dress and black pumps. "Good luck with it."

"Have a good night, be safe, don't get drunk, and don't bring back any random guys again, please?"

"Yup, see ya!" she called back as she left the room and slammed the door behind her.

Two in the morning, I woke up to pounding on the door.

"Hang on! I'ma coming." I said as I slid out of bed and put my robe and slippers on. I crossed the room and opened the door to find some random Joe and my roommate nearly passed out drunk.

"Who are you and why didn't you take her to the medical building?"

"I'm Josh and I didn't take her there because I'm kinda drunk too and I didn't want to get kicked out."

"Thanks." I rolled my eyes, "I need your help to get her to medical. She can't stay here like this."

Josh and I dragged Keri to medical where we met Dr. McCoy.

"Cadet Davis, I didn't think I'd see you back here again so soon. Let's get her into a bio bed. Same with you Cadet…?"

Josh was about to answer when he vomited and passed out on the floor.

"I don't know his last name, but his first name is Josh."

"Drunks" Dr. McCoy said as he was picking Josh up off the floor, "They think that they can come here and party and nothing will happen. Who's the girl?"

"That's my roommate, Keri Suzuki. Josh brought her back to our dorm instead of coming here because they are both drunk and under age. I told her before she left not to do this. She knows that I have to turn her in because of it."

"I'm sorry you had to do this. Go back to you room and get some sleep. You've got class in the morning."

"Yeah, and I've got to talk to Professor Spock tomorrow, about helping me with time management."

"Oh, don't let that green-blooded hobgoblin scare ya." His eyes went wide then, realizing what he said and who to. "Cadet, sometimes I just don't have a filter."

"Obviously. Excuse me." I turned and ran before I punched something or someone.