Ch 2: First Day Of Class

The night came quickly and soon I was woken up by my alarm I put on a cute outfit and ate a healthy breakfast before heading to class. I was walking down the hallways of the dorm towards the classes when I noticed everyone staring at me. Their conversations stopped as I passed them. It was unnerving but, I guess it makes sense it’s the first time they ever saw a human. I spent the entire school day yesterday walking around the station so I already saw their species while taking the tour with Representative Taloin. As I walked down the halls they kept staring. I slowed down feeling the gazes bear down on me. I was about to bolt to class when suddenly one of the girls slammed a wooden staff on the ground. She was a Quintec, her race had red skin and four arms, they were massive in height and muscle mass. She stood between me and the crowd behind me. Her intimidating presence caused everyone’s attention to shift to her.

Quintec: Class is starting soon and you're blocking the way, move or be moved!

With those words, the students stopped staring realizing they would be late for class and started back on their way. The Quintec’s intimidating aura faded as her cute face turned to me “sorry but I needed to get to class. Huh, I heard you were transferring. Did you need help finding your class?”

Gia: uh thanks! um… yeah could you help point me to room 34c Intro to Astronomy?

The Quintec smiled “Ah so you're the human joining my class huh, follow me. my name is Rivera it’s a pleasure to finally meet one of you humans”

“My name's Gia. It's a pleasure to be the first one of my kind to attend this school.” I smiled up at her following close behind. She must have been 6’8”. I must have looked tiny next to her seeing as I was only 5’5”. When we got to the classroom the teacher, a Celarian waved me over, her flaming hair was mesmerizing. The air around her was definitely a few degrees higher.

Solana: Ah! you managed to find your way here swiftly. I see you've already met one of your classmates.

Gia: yes ma'am we met in the halls, she managed to keep me out of prying eyes.

Solana: yes, the Quintec are quite good at drawing attention. Their size is on the larger side. Anyhow, I wanted to discuss with you about how you wanted to handle today's class seeing as you're the newest intelligent race and many of the students are very curious about you. I have the feeling that I won't be able to control their attention.

Gia: yeah I can see that being a problem, did you want the class to get their curiosity out of the way before you start your lesson?

Solana smiled and her hair flickered yellow “Yes if that is ok with you; you don't have to answer every question and I'm sure there are some limits as to what you can share with other races but, answering a few would allow the class to learn more about your people and make it an easy transfer.”

“Sure, I don't mind.” I managed to say as the last of the students made it to class. They were taking their seats talking with and staring towards us. Solana's hair rose which quieted the class “good morning everyone I'd like to introduce to you the newest member of our class” she said letting me walk to the front of the class. “Hello everyone My name is Gia Peterson. I'm the new human transfer student. It's a pleasure to meet all of you. If you have any questions I'll try my best to answer and I'd love to know more about you too.” I said, giving as welcoming a smile as I could. Everyone was quiet looking at each other. They were shy waiting for someone to start the questioning. Suddenly a blue hand rose. “Hello, it's a pleasure to meet you too. My name is Luna. I wanted to know more about your people and cultures.” Luna was excited.

Gia: um what exactly did you want to know about?

Luna: Oh, well um I heard you were a splintered people because of the diversity of your cultures, no other members of the galactic coalition are splintered like yours is. Why is it that you cannot unify your people?

Gia: That's a difficult one to answer. Hmmm, it's probably due to the fact that humans have an individualistic mindset. Everyone is unique and an individual. There are multiple religious, economic, cultural, and political beliefs. And everyone is different even through skin tone, hair color, facial structure, and cultural identity so not everyone sees the same way. And we humans pride ourselves on our individualism. Eh, I guess. Did that answer your question?

Luna was taking notes when she looked up the smile was still there “yes that did”

Gia: Good, anyone else? Uh, you!

Rhea: Hello My name is Rhea, I wanted to know about your fur. I noticed that from the references we were shown yours is shorter than the other female we have seen. Is this due to the same cultural differences?

Gia: Oh? Um well, I don't have a specific cultural belief when it comes to my hair but I do tend to cut it short. In some cultures, it's disrespectful to cut it or it is a symbol of wisdom. And many people like me also tend to dye their hair or decorate it in accessories in order to express themselves.

Rhea: So that isn't your natural fur color?

Gia: Oh no it's naturally a dark brown like yours but I just dye it red

“Hello, my name is Despina I am of the Aracec people '' she was an insectoid kinda resembling a mantis. her arms had large blades on them that seemed dulled. “How is it that you are from a dead world when you do not have a natural weapon?”

Gia: A death world?

Despina: Yes, is your homeworld not full of flora and fauna that are capable of hunting and killing your kind?

Gia: Oh well sure there are a few but humanity has managed to find ways of defending themselves with tools or through our ability to climb out of reach and outrun most. Our greatest advantage over them is our communication. We know the dangers as we grow up and learn to avoid them or overcome them.

More students raised their various appendages to ask more questions “one more and then we start class” Solana interrupted. I nodded and pointed towards the last raised hand

Europa: Hello my name is Europa, What is your opinion of war?

The class was silent. The room was tense, scared of what I might say. Solana was also concerned but she didn't say anything to change the subject. I stood there for a few seconds thinking.” Hmmm, my opinion?” I asked

Europa: Yes, my people are Known for our combat prowess and capability of war. I want to know if your kind is similar to all your diversity.

Gia: Ah, I see, well in my opinion war is horrible in reality but interesting in concept. Humanity has had many wars between nations. If you look at a timeline of human development then we have been under constant war since our first nations were founded. But overall I think humanity can agree War may be glorified but it truly is a horrible and evil act.

The class was quiet. Europa nodded and smiled “hmm perhaps your people aren't as cowardly as I may have thought”

Gia: Glad I could enlighten you.

Solana: thank you Gia but, it's now time to start class. Ah yes please take your seat between Luna and Rivera that should be your seat. It's designed specifically for your kind.

The seat was exactly like those desks from high school but the L-shaped surface was larger than normal and made from some polymer. As I was taking my seat Luna and Rivera smiled and greeted me “welcome to class, you'll love it here”

Pro: prologue

Ch1:chapter 1