Chapter 4: Skipping

The Church bell's ringing forced me to wake up. The room was still dark since there are no windows in my office. Groggily, I walked to the light switch and flipped it on. I was met by the sight of Delilah asleep on top of my desk. She was curled up in fetal position and for some reason, with her uniform on, she looked a little cute. My wonderful sight unfortunately was short lived since the ringing and the light caused her to wake up.

"What time is it?" She asked me.

I put on my spectacles and looked to the clock. "8:46 looks like first period's starting."

The team captain jumped off my desk. "WHAT?"

She was frantic in that moment. Hopping around, getting her boots on all the while straightening her shirt and long skirt. After looking in every direction, she finally spotted her coat hanging from the corner of the cabinet. The sword and belt were still attached and she was able to get everything buttoned buckled in less than twenty seconds.

"Aren't ya coming?" She asked as she sprinted to the door.

"I think it'll be fine if I take my time. There're no tests or things due."

"But if you skip, you won't be able to come to practice."

"I think your girls'll be fine without me. You gals have taken care of yourselves well enough when your manager's absent, right?"

Both of us made it outside the office as other students ran to their classes.

"Where are you going then?"

"I'm goin' to see Dixie."

I gave her a smile and after I turned away, I could feel her glaring at me as I began making my way to the main entrance of the school building. The front door made my grand exit be all the more grandiose thanks to there being no students outside. The only soul nearby was the groundskeeper watering the plants all the while whistling Dixieland. My footsteps made their distinctive clicking noise as I descended down the steps and made my way to the ship's infirmary. Once again, I was given stares from passersby since I had to keep my grey coat and hardee hat on. A few minutes of walking forced me to acknowledge that today was really not the best day to be outdoors in my uniform. The sun beating down my back, the humid air, and worst of all, no wind to make it bearable.

Regardless, I continued my march past the door to hospital and was immediately met by cold air. The one thing I detest about the south is that there is always great need for air conditioning no matter what month it is. The soothing coolness allowed me to take a deep breath and soldier on the sterile smell that began to make its way into my nostrils. The smell isn't exactly that bad, just what it reminds me of.

Only fifteen seconds pass by as I made my way to the clerk. He was busy typing something on that computer of his that he didn't bother looking up to me.

"Hello there, how may I help..." He didn't finish the question as he turned to face me and noticed my formal garb.

"Howdy," I said with a wave.

"Did something happen?"

"I'm sorry?" I tilted my head at that question.

The clerk shook his head. "I'm pretty sure today's a school day. What're you doing here?"

"I'm here to see a friend."

"Well, I'm afraid visiting hours haven't started yet."

"Then how long do I have to wait?"

"Until noon. I'm sorry you wasted your time coming here, but I think you should head back to class."

"Don't worry about it," I said with a smile. "I've got someone covering for me."

Now it was the clerk's turn to tilt his head. "May I ask for your name?"

"What for?"

"It's in case something happens, I have to notify the right people about your absence since you're here."

"Call me Clark!"

The clerk picked up his phone and began dialing. "And your last name?"

I gave the man an ear to ear grin. "Clarkson!"

There are very rare things to witness in life. I saw the clerk's face change from the straight face of professionalism into the pure expression of anger and annoyance and change yet again to the depression of concession.

He let out a sigh. "You're already in trouble, aren't you?"

"Well, not until the end of today."

The clerk waved me off. "Just wait in the lobby until I call for you."

"Thanks." I said as I made my way back to the lobby. I took my seat right beneath an air vent and felt bliss for the entire time I was waiting. It hasn't even been five minutes since I got in the building, but now my sweating has stopped and the direct current of artificial wind just put my mind in ease. Throughout that waiting period I just sat and kept my eyes closed, may have taken a nap or two during that time and just relaxed my weary legs.

I always wonder about what my sister said to me a few years ago that I'm too lazy to be interesting. I don't know if I'm really that boring when I don't need much to be entertained. I can just sit or lie down and enjoy the silence if I have nothing else. But I will say, this generic grey building feels almost like I'm back home. Before I had to leave for Johnston, I remember a guest room that I would sometimes spend time in and let the outside world fade away. Clarabelle and I would play games there and listen to music we found around the corner. I really miss those days. I remember the day I had to leave for this school I promised mom that I would always find a way to protect and keep an eye on sweet little Clara. So far, I've made good on that promise. I hope I can keep going with that. All it takes is failing one time...

"Clarkson!"

I awoke from my contemplation and was confused over the name since I was the only one in the lobby and then remembered what happened earlier.

"Coming!"

Face to face once again to the clerk, this time I noticed he had a name tag on. Apparently his name is Clyde.

"Who exactly are you wishing to see?"

"Dixie."

"Very funny," Clyde responds as he returns to his computer.

"No, that's really her name. She's in here for a concussion."

Clyde pointed to his left. "I see, she's in room twelve. I suggest you knock before entering."

"Alright." I said as I went off to the direction I was guided. I kept my sight upward and saw numbers pass by until I spotted the one I was informed was my destination. I gave two light knocks at the door.

"Come in," the voice from the other side commanded. It certainly sounded like Dixie's voice.

I opened the door and in front of me was the girl that introduced herself to me yesterday and today, she was blushing.

"M-Major Jeff! What're you doin' here? Did school let out early?"

I gave a chuckle as I took a seat. "No, don't worry, I got Delilah to cover for me."

"Did you really tell her to do that."

"Nope."

"Then I don't think she's going to do that."

"Well, probably. But, it's only one school day I'm missing."

"I suppose, but, why're you here?"

"Well, I'm the manager of the team. I should be keeping an eye on everyone, especially on team members injured."

"'Lilah's been lecturing you on that?"

"Is it that obvious?"

Dixie giggled. "A little."

"Alright, well, since I'm here..." I gave a little pause as I took my spectacles off to clean them with my coat. I can never thank you enough, Clara, for teaching me how to keep a conversation going. "How long have you known Delilah?"

"We've been friends since elementary school."

"I see," I said as I put my spectacles back on.

"We both started tankery back then. I wish I had that picture on me, we were both assigned to a Sherman during that time."

"When you get out of here, I'd like to see it." I gave her a slight smile which caused her to blush once again. I don't think I'm that suave, it's probably because she wasn't expecting visitors right now.

"Still, what about you?"

I shrug. "What about me?"

"Didn't you do anything before getting dragged into this?"

"Well, you'd think that, but not really."

"No?"

'I haven't really done much."

"There has to something you've done with your time."

"Lying down, listening to music or just enjoying the silence?"

"That's all you need?"

"Yeah, my sister keeps telling me I'm a rarity in the world."

"You have a sister?"

"Yup, Clarabelle. She goes to Saunders."

"She also in tankery?"

"Nah, swimming."

Dixie looked down. "Oh."

I let out a laugh. "Don't worry about it, I'm sure you'll find a rival from that school one day."

"Yeah, I just wish we weren't so little league in tankery."

"Well, I wouldn't know if it would really be that different for me as manager."

"You would have a lot more work."

"In that case, I'm glad we're where we are."

We both laughed. While we were stuck in the commotion, I couldn't help but let my eyes wander around the room and noticed that there was a flag hanging from the night stand right beside Dixie.

"Where'd that come from?" I asked as I pointed towards the banner.

"This is my gift I'm working for grandpa."

"May I see it?"

"Sure!" She answered as she grabbed the colors and carefully passed them to me.

Feeling the cotton, I could tell she's been working on this for quite some time. With the entire flag in view, I could see a blue Saint Andrew's Cross surrounded by a red background. "You really made this yourself?"

Her smile brightened. "Yes. Though, I'm not done with it yet."

"Really?"

Dixie tilted her head and gave me a sly smile. "I'm sure you can tell where it's not finished."

"I can see the flag is missing some white."

"Uh huh. I still need to get the stars in."

I steadily folded the flag. "Well, anyway, how're you feeling?"

"I'm feeling a lot better than yesterday. Doctor says I should be out of here in a week."

"That's good to hear."

"I'm really glad you came to visit, but you don't have to play hooky to do so."

"Oh, well, the only reason why I didn't come to class was because I overslept."

"Really?"

"Yeah, Delilah and I were up late finishing up the paperwork left over from the other managers and I just decided it wasn't worth getting up after the fact."

She laughed once again. "Let's hope you can survive this new job of yours."

I handed her back her flag. "I don't think I'll really last that long."

"Why do you say that?" she asked as she put her flag back on the nightstand.

I sighed. "I think I'm too lazy to really be cut out for this manager stuff."

"It's only been a day. You can't know for sure."

"I suppose so. Well, I better get going, I hope you make a quick recovery while in here."

"I hope to see you again."

I got up from the chair and turned to the door. "I'm sure you'll find me somewhere in the crowd of your tankmates."

I walked out the door and slowly closed it. "Take care now."

Dixie waved at me. "You too."