The Military Academy
Being accepted was one of the best things that had happened to her, but he made it sound so routine. “Thank you,” she said again, more subdued this time.
“Dismissed.”
It took everything she had not to run for the door, hurl it open, and race to the barracks where Les waited. As it was, she was halfway across the courtyard before she realized that she’d left her book behind. Three hours and fifty minutes remained before the book would be considered abandoned, but she didn’t want to take any chances. Not only would violating Article 302 not be a good start to her military career, but doing so at the Military Academy would be horribly embarrassing. She may as well have put a Strike Me! sign on her back. She rushed back to get the book and then walked as fast as she could to Barracks 19.
Les sat cross-legged on her bed, reading. Unfortunately, she wasn’t alone. Two girls were busy packing their bags. Mo recognized one of them. If the girl’s face hadn’t lied earlier, she was also a new cadet. Les snapped her book shut and put it aside when she spotted Mo. Mo motioned for her to meet outside and stepped back into the midday sun. She wanted to share her news privately.
“So?” Les said, joining her.
“I’m in!” Mo launched herself into Les’s arms. “I’m a cadet!”
Les’s arms tightened and Mo felt her feet leave the ground. “That’s great!” Les said.
Mo wanted to give Les a lingering kiss, only drawing back when she felt light-headed. But Les didn’t like displaying overt affection in front of others, and she’d seemed even more sensitive about it here, at the academy. She’d stiffened up at the smallest peck on the lips. She’d even balked at holding hands in the mess hall. Mo hoped she’d loosen up a bit when they returned in a few months. After all, they’d be spending the next three years of their lives here. Other days, she would have told herself that they probably wouldn’t be together in three years so it didn’t matter, but today, everything seemed possible.
Her feet touched the ground. Les held her at arm’s length and smiled. “I knew you’d get in. You had nothing to worry about.” Her smile faded. “Now it’s just me.”
“Come on, you’re in,” Mo said. “I’m surprised Morton didn’t tell you you’d passed the evaluation yesterday. Oh, guess what? Rosemary Mathers didn’t make it.”
“I’m not surprised. I would have been surprised if you hadn’t made it, though.”
“But I did! And so will you.”
“I’ll feel better about me when I get the official word.” She glanced at her comm unit. “I should probably head over there.”
“I’ll join you after I finish packing. And I want to beep Mama and Papa.”
“They’ll be so proud.”
The wistfulness in Les’s voice immediately tempered Mo’s excitement. She squeezed Les’s hand. “Yours will be, too.”
“I doubt it,” Les said. “Anyway, I’d better get going.” She started to walk away, but turned back. “Mo?”
Mo stepped toward her. “What?”
“I’m glad you made it.” Les paused. “Not just for you. For me, too. It wouldn’t have been the same. I would have missed you—if I’ve made it, I mean.” Her cheeks reddened. “Okay, now I really have to go.”
Speechless, Mo watched Les walk away. Tears stung her eyes. She wanted to be a fighter pilot. If she had failed the evaluation, she would have been devastated and left wondering what to do with her life. But the terrible truth was that she wanted Les more. If the Chosen Council promised her that it would make Les her Chosen if she gave up her dream to become a fighter pilot, she’d do it in a heartbeat. And that was wrong, and something she could never, ever tell Les.
She willed herself to focus on the present, on today, a happy day! She’d just been accepted into the military. And perhaps gained another three years with Les, a little voice whispered.
Lesley did her best to smile when the train pulled into Station C3-8. A long face wouldn’t be fair to Mo. “We’re home,” she said a little too brightly.
Mo looked out the train window. “I don’t believe it. My parents are on the platform. I hope they don’t act too embarrassing.”
“At least they’re here,” Lesley said, knowing hers wouldn’t be, but searching for them anyway.
“You should have beeped them,” Mo said.
“Why? They won’t consider it good news.”
“Well, they should.”
The train stopped. They collected their bags and stepped onto the platform. As one, Mo’s family rushed toward them. Mo dropped her bag. Susan pulled her into a hug, then drew back. “Do we need to salute?” she asked, smiling.
Mo groaned. “Mama, please.”
“Congratulations,” Michael said, putting his arm around Mo’s shoulders and squeezing her.
“Look at me, I’m saluting at Mo.” Nathan stood at attention, smartly saluting, his eyes crossed. Andrew started to laugh, then covered his mouth.
“Nathan, stop that now,” Michael snapped. “You must never do anything that disrespects the military.”
“Sorry,” Nathan mumbled, dropping his hand.
“You don’t have to salute. You’re not in the military,” Mo told him.
“And neither is she. Not quite,” Lesley added.
“Yeah, that too.” Mo caught Lesley’s eye. They exchanged bemused smiles.
“But she will be.” Susan embraced Mo again. “We’re so proud of you.”
“Can we go for supper now?” Andrew asked.
Michael picked up Mo’s bag. “Sounds good to me.”
“Matthew can’t make it.” Susan lowered her voice. “I think he has a date.” She let go of Mo and looked at her. “But Neil and Mary will meet us at the eatery.”
“They don’t have to.” Mo sounded as if she didn’t care whether her two older siblings made it, but Lesley could tell she was pleased.
Susan’s eyes widened. “They want to. They wouldn’t miss it. A Middleton isn’t accepted into the Military Academy every day.” She turned to Lesley. “Neither is a Thompson. Congratulations are in order for you, too.”
“Thank you,” Lesley said, uncomfortable at suddenly gaining the spotlight.
“Where are your parents? I thought they’d be here.”