By noon Jim was starting to feel anxious. After breakfast he'd flopped back down for a nap. His alarm had annoyed him awake about a half hour ago. He drug his hand through his hair and pulled on his boots. He left his tablet in his room. He didn't think he'd need it for today.
The halls were abuzz with cadets heading to missions or lunch, or returning from successfully completed assignments. Jim kept his eyes open for his friends. He wanted to hear all about what Matt and Braxton had done.
Jim slid his lunch tray on table 8-B. It was completely empty. He sat down with a small sigh. Jim nudged his sandwich out of the way and picked up his cup of mini canned orange slices. Absently he speared one on his fork and scanned the crowds of first and second years. Surely someone he liked was around.
Varian broke out of the crowds, lunch tray in hand. "Hey Jim!"
Jim grinned. "Vari!
Varian gave him a look. "Okay, what's up. You're never that excited to see me."
Jim scoffed. "Don't be dramatic. I'm excited to see you."
"Not like this."
"Maybe I'm a little lonely," Jim admitted. "No one else is around."
Varian laughed. "I'm sorry I asked. Well don't worry, Jim, your lowest ranking friend is here."
"Oh come on, you're at least my fourth or fifth favorite," Jim retaliated.
"I feel so much better." Varian popped a handful of pretzels into his mouth.
"Can we join you?" From behind Jim a familiar voice spoke up. Jim whipped around to smile up at the familiar green eyes with a fading bruise. Sy blushed faintly and nodded to the older boy beside him. "Zephyr and I thought it might be good for us all to eat together, since we'll be on a mission together."
Jim glanced over at the fourth year cadet. The young man had the blondest hair Jim had ever seen. It contrasted sharply with his tanned skin and serious expression. Jim nodded to the table. "Sure, sounds good. Varian, have you met Zephyr de Châteaupers?"
"The admiral's grandson?" Varian shot to his feet. "Sir!"
Zephyr waved him off. "Sit. It's fine."
Sy slid into his usual place beside Jim. Zephyr circled around to the other side of the table to sit across from them with Varian. Jim studied him curiously. "Sy mentioned your father knows his mother?"
Zephyr raised a neat eyebrow. "I suppose that's one way to put it," he agreed.
Sy was blushing hard. "I don't like the attention," he muttered, though Jim got the feeling Sy's words were not directed at him.
Zephyr shrugged. "Not my place to say anything." He clasped his hands together. "Shall I say grace?"
Sy hesitated, then nodded. "That would be nice, thank you. You guys don't mind?"
Varian shook his head. "Of course not."
Jim shrugged. "I have no reason to protest." he glanced at Sy, then folded his own hands together. Sy flashed him a small smile before he bowed his head.
Zephyr's strong voice cut through the background din as he led them through the prayer. "Father of us all, this meal is a sign of your love for us. Bless us, o lord, and these thy gifts which we are about to receive from thy bounty. And help us to give you glory each day. Through Jesus Christ our lord. Amen."
"Amen." Sy's soft voice echoed after.
"A man?" Jim hesitantly offered. He glanced to Sy for approval. The younger boy snickered softly and gave him a satisfied smile.
Varian crunched on another pretzel. "So, you three are on a mission together?"
Sy took the top off his sandwich to draw his usual star. "Mhmm. Zephyr is in his fourth year, he's leading the one Jim and I signed up for."
Zephyr smiled politely. "I'm certain that it will be a success with you two on my team. I've heard good things." He paused. "Well…"
Jim laughed. "I won't be reckless for you, I promise. I do good work as long as I stay within the parameters of the assignment. I promise that I won't push limits today."
"I appreciate that," Zephyr answered honestly.
Sy touched Jim's hand gently. "So do I."
Jim couldn't help but be pleased. Returning his attention to his lunch he stabbed another orange. "Have they told you at all what we'll be doing?"
Zephyr shook his head. "Part of the test is to adapt to whatever they give us. If we had time to prepare it wouldn't be the same. We need to think on our feet. I'll find out when you do."
