Bonus - Week 19 - UDC 10
Precipice
He heard them before he saw them and Alan glanced at his watch with a raised eyebrow, wondering why exactly they were here so early in the afternoon. He didn't have much time to wonder, because suddenly Pete was in front of him with a big grin, shoving a small box into his hands. Alan blinked, startled, then looked up to find Nick behind him, and Norling smirking and not at all hiding his amusement. "All right, what's going on?"
"Open it!" Pete demanded excitedly and Alan frowned at him, realizing the kid was very nearly hopping up and down. Obligingly, Alan opened the box, only to stare at a good conduct medal and ribbon.
"Pete? I'm not sure I understand, here."
"He wanted to show you," Norling explained. "He wouldn't let me pin it on him instead."
Alan nodded as he realized that both of them were in uniform and pulled the ribbon pin out of the box, also realizing that it was the last day of school before summer break, even if Pete never actually took the summer off. He considered it for a minute, then pinned the ribbon on his charge's shirt with the other ribbons there. "There. I expect you to get more of these, you hear?"
Pete nodded. "Yes, sir."
Quagmire
Alan raised his gaze to Nick, who was openly smiling. "And you?"
"Oh, I got one, too," Nick admitted, and set a similar box on his desk. "But this one isn't a conduct medal."
"No?" Alan reached over and opened it, revealing a medal and ribbon for an Academic Award. "And this was for?"
Nick tapped Pete's shoulder with a grin all his own. "He hounded me on my school work and challenged me, and he's annoying and doesn't let me give up when I'm not getting things, mostly in math."
Alan looked at Norling, who was laughing silently at that explanation. "That actually the reason?"
"He's the most improved student I've got this semester in math, and all of his grades were up, even though he transferred mid-semester," Norling explained. "But I'll accept that Pete's annoying and wouldn't let him give up, too. After all, they live together."
Rivulet
"Since I've got you here," Alan said as he handed a piece of paper to Pete, who studied it. "That's what is available for summer session that you need to do."
"Meteorology?"
"Knowledge of the weather is important if you want to fly planes, Pete," he told him as he pinned the academic ribbon on for Nick with an amused smile. "You do realize that you need 18 hours in electives, right?"
"He does?" Nick asked, curious and Alan handed him a different page, which caused Nick to stare at the requirements for an Associate of Science in the STEM pathway for transfer, with the courses already taken highlighted in yellow. "Oh.
Alan looked at Norling. "Do they need to be back at school, or was it over for the day?"
"Over for the summer," Norling told him.
"Then I'll take them home later. You don't have to stay."
Norling nodded and left them to it.