Free Of Hearts And Stars (Classic Editon) (The Cadet Starship Chronicles) by Edward West

My friends call me Revy.” she said, and stood as well.
    Corrigin smiled “Alright Revy! I have to go now, I hope we meet again!”
    “ Likewise!” she said and returned the smile as she waved goodbye.

    - 26 -
    A few days later during science class, Corrigin wandered off to the bathroom. He had been staring out of the window while pondering whether his own obscurity, coupled with the completion of his classwork, justified cutting class. Just as he came to the conclusion that it was a moot point; the bathroom door burst open. Corrigin looked away from the window and saw several upperclassmen dragging a boy in. He recognized the kid from his Political Philosophy class. That's lame, he thought, they're probably bullying him because of his weight. Recalling the conversation that he had with Revy, he decided that he needed to say something. It was time to leave an impact.
    Corrigin called out in a loud voice “Hey! Get off him!”
    The lead bully looked around for just a second before resuming the business of pummeling this innocent cadet. It was happening again like it always did; Corrigin was a ghost who couldn't do anything. The stocky cadet let out a cry that brought Corrigin back to his senses however. It was like Revy said; he had to break into this world.
    “ I said leave him alone!” Corrigin shouted and strode forward to tap the lead bully on the shoulder.
    That did it, because the lead bully dropped his prey and turned to face Corrigin. Likewise the other bullies were all staring at him as well now, sizing him up. He was finally being perceived, but not entirely sure that it was a good thing after all. Corrigin didn't have enough time to say 'oh crap' before rough hands seized him and slammed him against the bathroom wall. He saw the lead bully cock back his fist, and shut his eyes tight. This'll be a slaughter, he thought, and nearly laughed.
    “ I have to pee.” said a voice from behind the bullies.
    “ Shut up and go in the stall loser!” the lead bully yelled.
    “ I have to pee, and you're blocking the urinal I want to use. Do you understand?” the voice repeated in a patient tone.
    The lead bully let go of Corrigin, who slumped to the floor with a thud. There was a look of rage on the bully's face as he spun around. Yet the rage quickly diminished and turned into a look of surprise mingled with fear. Corrigin opened his eyes to see who the voice belonged to, and saw that standing there, in front of the bullies, was an upperclassman just like him. His tousled blackish-brown hair touched his brow, which framed a pair of fierce dark brown eyes. A grin was on his face as if he had just heard a funny joke, and his hands were in his pockets, like he was simply hanging out.
    The lead bully couldn't afford to back down. His reputation was at stake after all. He pointed a finger at the intruding upperclassman and yelled “It's Swift! TEAR HIM APART!”
    The other two bullies sprang forward and the first caught an elbow to the gut, followed by a backhand as Swift took his hands from his pockets, and then a left jab to the face. He fell backwards, holding his stomach and mouth. Swift gave the other a punch in the shoulder area of his chest, sending him reeling. Swift took this opportunity to grab the back of his uniform and thrash him against a sink before heaving him into a stall, where he fell rear first into a toilet bowl. All that remained now was him and the lead bully.
    “ I won't forget this!” he threatened.
    Swift gestured as if conjuring a spell and said “Your rage gives me magical powers.”
    “ Outta my way!” the lead bully shouted at Swift, who wasn't really in the way. However as he passed by, Swift jumped at him which caused the lead bully to slip and go scrambling out of the bathroom door. Swift turned his attention back to the two remaining bullies.
    “ You probably shouldn't run with guys like that. I mean, what did you think would happen?” he asked.
    They grumbled and swore while