The Commander's Lieutenant

Part 6

When Taz woke up the next morning, she rolled out of the bed and straight onto the floor. Groaning, she looked at the tangled mess of bedsheets that followed her. Dragging herself out of them, she looked at the time- 5:30am.

Taz cracked her neck and sat on the couch, her legs draped over the arm. She stretched her arm behind her and grabbed the new book from Up, starting to read it. An hour later, her eyes flicked to the clock and she jumped off the couch.

Running around her room and trying to get ready, she remembered. It's her first day as Lieutenant.

Taz grabbed the bandana from her nightstand and hastily pulled it on. She was about to leave when she remembered the dog-tags from Up. She dropped them over her head, checked she had her knife in her new belt, and ran off down the hallway with her book. Up opened his door just as Taz was about to knock, her hand falling through the air and making her jump.

'Taz- great timing!' Up was surprised that she hadn't punched him yet. 'I was just about to get some breakfast before we get our first assignment- care to join me?'

'Sure Up- but, I just wanted to thank you for everything you've done for me.' Taz looked up at him.

'Oh?' He was a little confused.

'You are my best friend- Sí?'

Up nodded.

'Well, I was wondering... When is your birthday?'

Up's face crinkled a little. 'Now, Taz. I can't answer that.'

Taz's face fell. 'It's okay, Up.'

Up cringed when he saw Taz's face. She really wanted to know. '...Just yet. I'll tell you at breakfast- I'm starvin'!'

Taz felt relieved. He had been so secretive about it since they met- but maybe it was something he'd rather forget. Just like she wanted to forget hers.

The two of them made their way to the cafeteria, Taz stopping to tie up her shoe. She waved Up to go on, and she was left alone in the hallway. She stood up, and heard snickers behind her as she picked up her book.

'Hey look! It's the little Mexican Princessa!' One of the boys jeered.

Taz turned around- four large boys stood with their arms crossed behind her. 'What do you want?'

'You to stop being such a little nerd! No way you passed that calculus test!' The tall one stepped forward. The word "little" bounced around Taz's head, infuriating her.

The bald one was next. 'Yeah! You totally cheated!'

'I just studied.' Taz replied calmly.

She'd gotten in trouble for beating kids up in the hallway if they looked at her the wrong way, and was told she'd have to repeat all of her tests.

'I'm just trying to get to breakfast. Leave me alone!' She turned and did something she promised she'd never do- Taz ran.

The four boys, Chuck, Andrew, Harry and Jake, chased after her, taunting her about being little and a bookworm. Taz came to a fork in the hallway- Which way to the cafeteria? Mierda! She made a left- the wrong way. Instead, she flew out the back of the building, the boys only feet behind her.

Up waited at the doors of the cafeteria for a minute- something was wrong. He could feel it. He turned his head when he heard footsteps. Looking into the hall, he saw Taz being chased by four hulking Privates.

'Taz!' He called after her, chasing them down.

By the time he reached outside, Taz's arms were being held by one, and her legs by two others. The fourth, Jake, plummeted his fist into his hand trying to scare Taz. There was a large cut on his lip from Taz's fist. She struggled around, trying to get out of their tight grip. She kicked her legs out, thrashing and trying to knee Chuck's face.

'Let me go!' She screeched as Jake came closer.

Pulling his arm back, Taz braced herself. The grip on he legs and arms released- she was free. Slowly, she opened her eyes. She could see a shadow through the bright white light. Up's hand reached down towards her and he pulled her up.

'Agh!' Taz dropped back to the ground. 'My ankle! I think I busted it when I fell...'

She narrowed her eyes at the four privates, pressed against the wall in fear. Up grabbed her arm and put it around his shoulders, but she still couldn't walk properly.

Up thought for a second, and had a brilliant idea. 'Hop on my back.'

Taz froze. 'Que?'

'I can run faster than the two of us combined- especially cause you just fudged up your ankle.'

Up smiled at her and held out his arms. Taz took them, and Up launched her onto his back. She barely resisted the urge to shriek as she flew through the air. Her legs wrapped around his waist, and they watched as the bullies quaked in fear.

She whispered to Up. 'Let's get dem, Up!'

The four boys screamed as Up and Taz chased them, Taz screaming a war-cry. Finally, they decided to hide in the first thing they found- a dumpster.

Up helped Taz down and she punched the dumpster. 'You estúpido chillies!'

Up laughed as Taz banged on the dumpster, cursing at them in Spanish. 'Alright, Taz. You've had your fun. Let's go eat.'

Up would have carried Taz there, but he didn't want to push his luck after last night. He managed to get her to the table, and grabbed her tray for her. She dug in, devouring the food as though it was her last meal.

'How's your ankle?' Up asked, his voice muffled by the food in his mouth.

'It might be sprained. I fell pretty hard.' Taz replied. 'But I'll be fine- I've had to run on a broken ankle before.' She smiled at Up.

'I don't doubt it.'

After finishing their breakfast, Taz looked around. The whole cafeteria was empty- everyone was probably at class by now. Up noticed her looking around.

'Happy you don't have classes anymore?'

Taz nodded. 'Now I get to spend everyday with you, Up!'

He laughed a little, and Taz tried to stand. 'Ow! Damn it.' Up jumped to his feet and ran around the table, lifting Taz up and placing his hand around her waist.

'Don't put any pressure on it.'

Taz nodded sleepily, looking down at her waist. Up guided her to the First Aid office, offering to sit with her while she waited. He knew how much she hated the First Aid room.