I was bored and more than cranky and there had already been several fights. The general quarters went off and I ran towards the door and then to the s...airs. The speakers told everyone to standby in the common room. It was crowded as everyone stood waiting. Finally the captain came on, "the forward port airlock!"We rushed out and ran forward and around to the airlock and again it was time to wait. I slipped filters into my nose. One of the men was watching the exterior vid, "a cargo ship! We are. But this year, there was some new competition. McKinley had a new star on the team. Her name was Alka, a Middle Eastern transfer student who was tearing up the league. She ran the exact events as Taylor and Nicole, and was McKinley's best hope to win the meet.The three friends walked across the campus heading to class, Nicole and Taylor to Calculus, and Ash to Psych 101. Taylor and Nicole were talking about the upcoming meet and Ash was ribbing them about what would happen if they lost. They. " Steph took his right hand in both of hers and I shivered as she touched him, gritting my teeth in frustration."It's just practice, that's all." No, I was forced to practice for hours and never got any better." Well, I'm glad you liked it." Would you mind if I imposed upon you to play something at my party?" Holly mouthed the last three words to me at the same time Steph said them, and Steph gave us a dirty look when we giggled."Of course, Steph, my fingers are yours." You have no idea how. I managed to get birth control so his nightly demand of his rights as my husband didn’t risk another pregnancy. And if I wasn’t ready and willing, he got angry. In fact, he got angrier and angrier the longer I worked and the more he drank. It was little slaps at first, ‘to get your attention.’ Then complaints about how the house was kept, how noisy the brat was, why I didn’t ever cook, and why I wasn’t getting a promotion again. The answer to that last question was easy. I was a clock-watcher.