In Other Lands

by Sarah Rees Brennan

“Can I speak now?” Luke asked. “It’s not so much of an answer to a question as a personal announcement.” Elliot glanced over at him. Luke looked a little pale under his tan. Elliot wondered if perhaps Luke needed to go to the infirmary and felt guilty about talking so much. People’s stupidity could always be corrected another time. “I’m—I like guys,” said Luke, staring at his desk. “Romantically.” Elliot put his hand up so fast he almost dislocated his arm. Captain Whiteleaf was staring and nodded, possibly on stunned autopilot. “Since when?” Elliot demanded. Luke put his hand back up. “Since always.” Elliot put his hand up in retaliation. “That’s absurd.” Luke put his hand up and waited for Captain Whiteleaf to nod and say apprehensively: “Er . . . Cadet Sunborn . . . is this going to be a question?” “Yes,” said Luke. “What is wrong with you? Not you, sir. Cadet Schafer, sir.” “I don’t understand your question, and I have one of my own,” said Elliot, putting his hand back up as a formality and not looking at Captain Whiteleaf. “If that’s true then why don’t I know?” Luke looked mulish about the face. “You do know because I just told you!” “Excuse me,” Dale Wavechaser said. “Excuse me, sir.” Everybody turned to look at him. He had apparently been waving his hand in the air for some time. He was very flushed. “Yes?” Captain Whiteleaf gazed upon Dale as a shipwreck survivor seeing rescue in view. “Me too, sir!” said Dale. “I like boys romantically too.”