How to Life: Friends

Posted on Wed Jul 22nd, 2015 @ 12:35pm by Lieutenant JG Maryam Syed

683 words; about a 3 minute read

" Friends :) "

The Ops Room was bigger here, and she wasn't sure whether she liked it or not anymore. The people were welcoming, and she was happy about that...but something held her back from trying to get closer. They were just being nice coworkers, she thought. They have no interest in getting to know me. Fair enough...

" Hey, Lieutenant Syed," one of them said one day from amongst their group of friends, " We're going over to the bar, want to come along?"

" I...I'll come." she said at last.

The bar was busy, filled with others enjoying themselves. She didn't drink, so she sipped a soda while the others talked. It was fun, at first, just being around everyone and enjoying their discussions; but soon the alcohol took effect and they were suddenly so much more carefree and happy, laughing like maniacs over tiny things. Maryam sat right in the fray, laughing weakly as they all roared with laughter, looking gloomily at her glass of soda. Even Johnny Smith was having fun, downing the shots like they were nothing. It would take a whole bottle and a bunch of sleep deprivation to get her that excited... She excused herself and went back to her quarters, wishing she hadn't gone. It only served to prove what she felt about her encounters; they would never be as satisfying as she wanted them to be, would they...?

Johnny Smith eyed her the next day as she sat silently over her work.

" You didn't enjoy it, huh?"

" Sorry?" she asked irately, giving him a cutting look. He put his hands up.

" My apologies, ma'am. I was just askin'."

" I didn't enjoy it, no." Maryam mumbled, turning back to her console. " It wasn't exactly my idea of fun."

" Really," Johnny looked thoughtful as he viewed her hunched over form. " Can't say I didn't expect it."

" Yes, well." Maryam frowned.

" They didn't do it on purpose, you know."

" I...I know." Maryam turned back, looking regretful and sad. " But there are so few people I enjoy the company of. How am I supposed to find them? I can get along with anyone, but..."

" Hm." he replied. They returned to work.

Later, as Maryam and Johnny sat in the mess hall eating lunch, she noticed a woman sitting at one of other tables, looking conflictedly in their direction. Maryam looked at Johnny and grinned.

" Looks like you have an admirer, mister." she teased.

" Actually," he replied, looking pleased, " I think she is more interested in you."

" Really?" Maryam felt confused for a moment before she tested out his theory and waved to her. Alarmed, she waved back cautiously, a smile on her face.

" You should go talk to her, Chief." He told Maryam.

" Perhaps I will..." Maryam said, rising from her chair and approaching her.

" Hello," she said shyly when Maryam had arrived. " I'm Keira Livingston. You're the one who made peace between the Federation and the Widows, aren't you?"

" You know about that?" Maryam replied, looking amazed.

" I'm a neurologist," she grinned, " And the telepathic field you described was amazing, but there's so little of it explored! I read a few of your posts on the Starfleet forums a few years back and they intrigued me ever since."

" I'm sorry," Maryam replied, feeling a little bit subdued. " I can't offer much more than what I wrote. The one in contact with me - Freya - stopped speaking with me long ago. Plenty of children to take care of, I'm sure."

" That's all right," Keira reassured her hastily, " Sorry, I didn't mean to upset you. It's not important! Do you like holo-games?" she asked suddenly.

" I love them." Maryam said, excited once more. " Do you - shall we play some tonight? My quarters. There are some really good story ones in there! That is," she faltered, " If you want..."

" No, I love games with stories," Keira replied eagerly, " The story is what makes them good!"

" I completely agree!" Maryam laughed. " Have you ever read visual novels?"

Keira's eyes widened with delight. " No...you read them too?"

Maryam's grin grew wider.

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