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An inconsiderate elbow hit her side and she winced as the pain spread in growing circles. Nicholas saw her grimace and averted his eyes. Obviously he doesn't want to say 'I told you so' again. They made their way to their usual table. The stinging pain that had been reduced to a throbbing heat reasserted itself as she tried to sit down. She studiously kept her face blank, not willing to hear her twin's complaints again. Brent joined them without asking if they wanted his presence. "I heard that you weren't well yesterday, so you didn't join us at the riot. You missed quite a lot. I hope you're better now." Brent was speaking in a voice so warm, so friendly, it had to be fake. She cleared her throat and spoke. "I was having a fever. One of those freak viruses. Everyone gets it once in a while." They continued eating in silence. Brent spoke up again. "`Alex, during the exercise, I'm sorry I was such a jerk. I was taking it too seriously, and I deserved the result." She never expected Brent to be the kind who apologized for his mistakes. She was feeling quite magnanimous when he finished with his groveling apologies. "It's not all your fault. I did do some of the damage. I'm sorry for misleading you too." Brent flashed a wide grin at her. "Thanks Alex, you're the best." He walked away towards Lisa Pontini who had just entered the cafeteria. "What's with him?" Nykki asked her twin, as soon as Brent was out of earshot. "There's supposed to be an award given out to the best cadet. He has to have excellent academic and physical records, and good relations with the others. Brent's apology was just to make sure he gets the award." Nykki looked at the figure talking to Lisa with distaste. The earlier generosity was forgotten in the face of this new irritation. "Well, I hope someone else gets it. That'll burst his bubble of supreme arrogance. Bastard." Christopher had just arrived and was looking around for someone. He spotted them through the crowd and waved. Nicholas waved back. Chris wound his way through the tables to theirs. "Hi!" he called out, standing by the table. "Nick, you'd better hurry. Dad and the rest of the instructors are looking for you. They want to speed train you so as to let you graduate with the rest of the batch. The date of the graduation ceremony has been pushed back a week because of you, so you'd better not waste any time. The less time you take to finish the course, the earlier you all can graduate." "Okay, give me five minutes." Nicholas finished his croissant and washed it down with black coffee. "Nykki, I want you back in the room as soon as you finish breakfast." He gave her a hard look before rushing off. That left Nykki and Christopher alone. "What did he mean?" Christopher asked, taking her twin's vacated seat. "He thinks I shouldn't be out of bed yet, but I assured him it's all right. I'd better go though." Her voice was cool and measured. He wondered at her unresponsiveness, probably she still wasn't feeling well. "Are you better now?" He reached over to feel her forehead. She drew back before he could touch her. "I've really got to go." She pushed back her chair and rushed away before he could utter a word.
She avoided the common routes to the infirmary where she asked Larssard for pain-killers. He looked at her strangely, and said, concerned, "You don't look too good. What do you need the pain-killers for?" "Having a bad headache," she lied through her teeth. "Plus cramps… you know, it's the monthly thing." He gave her the bottle of pills with another strange look and sent her to bed.
It was just her luck to run into Christopher going back to her room. "Where the hell have you been?" He reached out to take her arm but she backed away. "I was at the infirmary," she answered coolly. "You look a little pale. I think…" "Christopher, I don't need someone to look after me. I am perfectly capable of looking after myself. Now please let me go back to my room?" "Not until you explain this change in you. You were all right the other night… what's wrong with you today?" he practically shouted at her. "Nothing! Why in the world have you been following me around? Just say you piece and give me some solitude." Her voice was still calm, but the coldness in it had risen tenfold. "I'm tired and having a God-awful headache, just stop bothering me!" "I wanted to tell you that you've been selected for the Special Merit Award for the best cadet, that's it. You wouldn't let me speak in the cafeteria, so I came to tell you the good news!" he said in exasperation. Her spine stiffened. "What about Brent?" she asked. "He's very keen on it." "Brent? He was considered, but we came to the conclusion that he was too hot-headed. Anyway, he's not that well liked. The officers think he tries too hard to get into their good books." "Why come and tell me in person? It'll be announced later during lunch anyway, I could have heard it then." "I wanted to give you a surprise... it was a bad idea. Just forget I said anything, forget I tried to make you happy." "Good, now I can finally go back." She edged past him and headed down the corridor. Christopher watched her retreating back and threw up his arms in an eloquent gesture. "Women!"
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