The Hidden End [Ender's Game]

+ Chapter 03

PART 01 || CHAPTER 03

A Trio United

Morgan didn't sleep well at all. She kept waking up throughout the night, tossing and turning around in her bed. At one point, Bean snapped at her and told her to quit moving, and a couple of other kids heard his comment too, laughing quietly. She decided to get up and take a shower since it would be better than just lying in bed and staring at the ceiling. She got her clothes and towels and made her way to the girls' showers. On her way out, she snuck a glance at Ender. He was sleeping like a baby.

The water felt refreshing. Morgan took her sweet time, washing her hair thoroughly, rinsing, and repeating. Once she was done with the actual washing, she sat down on the cool tile, her back resting against the wall, letting the water fall on her. She held her breath as long as her lungs would allow, and once she got bored with that, she took as much water as she could into her mouth and tried to spit it out as high as possible.

After her forty-five minute shower, Morgan towel-dried her hair and changed into a white shirt and pants (her required attire). She tiptoed back to the bunk room, just as it was getting close to being four in the morning. She was about to climb up onto her bed when she heard a small voice.

"Where were you?"

Morgan turned her head and saw Ender sitting up in his bunk. She glanced around the room and saw that everyone else was asleep--or so she assumed them to be. She walked over to Ender's bed, resting her forearm on the banister above.

"I took a shower," she said.

"That long?"

Morgan laughed. "Don't tell me you've never taken long showers before, Wiggin."

"You couldn't sleep, huh?"

"Not really. You?"

"Me neither." They stayed silent for a few seconds, until Ender scooted back to make room for Morgan. She eagerly sat down next to him, feeling a little victorious in knowing that Ender was beginning to slightly warm up to her. "Your solutions in Math class were pretty amazing," he said.

"I bet you could've come up with better answers," Morgan said. Modesty is a virtue. Play it humble. "Did you finish the homework we got for Astronautics?" she asked. "Because rocket science is not my forte." Liar.

"Did you... have trouble with it?"

No.

"Sort of. I mean, I got past the first step in solving the problem, but I'm pretty sure I did that wrong too."

Ender swallowed quietly and then looked up at Morgan. "Bring your desk over. I can show you how to do it, if you want."

And so, Morgan and Ender spent a good hour tutoring each other. First, it was Ender teaching Morgan more about rocket science (even though she was no stranger to the subject). Then, it was Morgan teaching Ender about demonstrating scientific facts using equations and utilizing the Formal sciences she was so familiar with. It wasn't often that Morgan would find herself in the presence of someone with intellectual abilities matching hers, but she damn liked it. For once, her sharp mind was being appreciated by someone. At that moment, it didn't matter to Morgan anymore that she and Ender were technically competing against each other. They could both learn something important from one another, and his company seemed to make Morgan feel more at ease now. She could savour the sensation that came along with friendship for now.

"I hope the mail will get sent through," Ender said once they were done with their tutoring. Morgan leaned forward and rested her elbows on her knees. Ender continued to talk. "I tried to send my sister a letter earlier."