Chapter Text
“I apologize for the inconvenience, my son,” Sarek said. It was dinner time and he had just announced to his family that they needed to move to California for his new ambassador’s position. Sarek himself didn't seem terribly sorry as there was a glint of excitement in his eyes, but he did definitely sympathize with his son. Moving, especially towards the end of the school year, can be rough for someone Spock’s age, no matter how resilient he knew his son was.
Spock kept his eyes down on his plate for a few moments, collecting himself. He finally looked up and even pushed for a smile before saying, “This is a wonderful opportunity. There is nothing to apologize for when this will bring us nothing but benefit.”
Once she knew her son was alright, Amanda threw her arms up and around her husband’s neck, kissing his face repeatedly.
“Oooh I am so proud of you honey,” She squealed, hugging him in tighter. Sarek allowed himself a chuckle and hugged her back slightly, letting his forehead rest on her shoulder.
“I assure you there is nothing to be proud of,“ Sarek began, and Amanda pulled back and looked him in the eyes with a fake glare.
“Don't you put down your accomplishments like that!” She smacked his arm lightly.
Sarek had a small, almost sheepish smile.
“Acknowledged.”
The move took a week, and Spock didn't really have any friends to say goodbye to so once he was unregistered from his current high school he spent all of his time packing up his house.
Spock’s bookshelf was the hardest to pack for his room, as he was worried he would lose his most perfect arrangement. Ordered by author, title, then sub-separated by page count. It had taken Spock the better part of a weekend to do all that.
He didn't have a large variety of clothes, so those all fit into one box and was done. He finished with his room after two days leaving only some clothes and his bed out, not including his bathroom supplies. Those would be moved last.
His mother's garden, as they had moved before, was really easy to pull up, pot, then transport. Amanda worriedly fussed over her favorite rose bushes, but everything went without a hitch, minus one fallen lemon tree.
The first time Spock saw his new home was daunting. It was large, color palette reflecting that of a Spanish Mission.
The backyard was large and lush, and the ceilings of the two story were high. Large windows at every room, with views out to the rest of the surrounding neighborhoods. The garage was spacious, with room for both Amanda and Sarek’s cars, not to mention storage. The kitchen had dark granite countertops and light grey cabinets. Amanda didn't feel like there was enough color in the kitchen, so she kept yellow flowers in the windowsill above the sink. Sarek’s office was on the first floor, with sliding doors for when he required privacy. Amanda had put a vase of yellow flowers there as well. Since they purchased a new desk for the office, the old one was given to Spock for his own room. It was simple and black with few scratches on it from years of use.
The sun was always out, it seemed. It was just the beginning of spring and Amanda's allergies were acting up to the extreme. Spock was in the moving van trying to find something he could carry when he heard a sneeze and a crash.
“Yeesh! My bad!” Amanda called out laughing. She had dropped a plate and Spock jogged inside to help clean up the shards.
The windows were all open, a warm breeze going through the two story house. Spock’s room was larger than before, but he didn't really mind. His things being more spread out than before seemed to give him more peace of mind. His wide window was open too, and he put his bed right below it. The walls were a light dreamy blue that Spock was automatically fond of. His bookshelf remained empty, with the stacked boxes still unopened next to it.
“Knock knock,” Amanda said, standing in the doorway of Spock’s room.
“It is unnecessary to make that noise to catch my attention.” Spock said, his brows furrowing.
“Spock. I brought you something!” Amanda pulled out a small packet.
Spock took it, opened it, and felt some pieces fall into his palm. They were multicolored plastic stars.
“They’re glow stars for your ceiling. I know this seems more of a childish thing to have but you like space and I was thinking you could put up your favorite constellations!”
Spock pinched one star, holding it out as if to inspect its worth.
“I am grateful, I believe they will look very nice on my ceiling.” Spock said, looking up for the first time he could remember at his new ceiling.
Amanda smiled widely.
There was a ridiculous amount of stars but lucky for Spock there was a ridiculous amount of adhesive as well. It took some self discipline to keep from immediately setting up the stars. It took him another day before everything in his room was situated, but once it was Spock spent the dusky afternoon setting the stars up, his astronomy books lying open on his bed for reference.
Spock spent the weekend sitting outside helping his mother replant her garden. The sun was warm and the grass was pleasant to sit in. The backyard was large, separated in two by grass and concrete. The concrete side had a pool and a contained garden for Sarek’s herbs while the grassy side was filling with Amanda’s various flowers. Spock, though he would have rather not, remained barefoot through the weekend, and it turned out to be a calming experience. Sarek came out to join his family after his day's work was done, and they all relaxed together in the shade of their trees.
“You nervous? Amanda asked, once more standing outside of Spock’s doorway. It was Sunday night before he was set to start at his new school.
Spock had his uniform set out on his bed and he fiddled with the button on the white sleeve. “Such thoughts are illogical. I have no reservations towards the school at all, nor the… people who will be attending.”
The uniform consisted of a burgundy sweater with a white button up undershirt, black pants, and a pair of suggested yet not mandatory black sneakers.
“I’m sure everything will work out, love.” Amanda said before giving her son a quick hug.
In the morning, Spock drove himself to school, his car modest but new. A generous if unnecessary gift from his parents for his seventeenth birthday. He was an hour early, but the office lights were on. He strode into the office as confidently as he could, to get his schedule from his counselor. One counselor per grade seemed an efficient system to Spock but by the looks of his counselor Mrs. Tompkins, it added some extra stress rather than alleviate any.
“You’re my new kid right?” She was very pretty and young, but her hair was messy and her office uniform was wrinkled. She attempted to swipe the extra wisps of her dirty blond hair behind her ear, but instead it fell in her eyes once more Her desk was unkempt, and she fumbled to find Spock’s schedule, almost knocking her coffee over twice.
“Yes,” Spock replied, watching the counselor struggle with vague interest.
“Your name is…” Mrs. Tompkins sighed and closed her eyes, trying to remember his name.
“I go by Spock. My first name is difficult to pronounce.”
“Spock. Got it. I’ll add that to the records so your teachers know. If I remember.”
Spock nodded, grateful.
“Fuck it… I’ll just print out a new one…” Mrs. Tompkins mumbled under her breath with a sigh. She tapped the keys to her computer and a new copy of Spock’s schedule started printing. She then stood and stepped past Spock out of her small office to call down the hall, “Hikaru! You here yet?”
A boy about Spock’s age came down the hallway, and poked his head in the doorframe.
“What’s up Mrs. T?” He eyed Spock, a black windbreaker unzipped over a his uniform and hanging off a shoulder. His pants were rolled up over his high top shoes, and he had no backpack.
“Hi, I’m Hikaru Sulu, I’m an office aide. You're a junior too right?” The boy asked, holding a hand out to Spock. Spock nodded, took Hikaru’s hand and shook it gingerly, retracting his hand as soon as possible.
“Yes ah, Hikaru, this is Spock. I need you to walk him around and show him his classes, get him his books, and find his locker. You got it?” she waved her hand between the two of them as she talked.
“Always Mrs. T, don’t worry.”
Mrs. Tompkins brushed the hair behind her ear. “Thanks, kiddo you’re a lifesaver.”
She passed Spock a pink paper, where his schedule was printed out.
Spock and Hikaru left the main office and went to the central square of the open campus. There were four buildings that lined the square, the first was the front office now behind Spock and Hikaru, and to the left was the science and math building. To the right was the arts and sports, leading to the dressing rooms, weight room, dance room, band room, and the gym, and even further the football field. At the far end were portable classrooms all stacked together, serving as miscellaneous and language classes. The buildings were all lined with lockers, colored green with flaking paint. The center of the square was a grassy area, thick and healthy. Hikaru led them through the small field, and pointed to one locker in particular against a language building.
“These are the senior lockers. Freshmen don’t get lockers, and other underclassmen usually have theirs either in the dressing rooms or in the science halls. Since there were more juniors than seniors though, some overflowed here. On the plus side, you’ll get to keep yours next year too. This locker is yours! It’s only two from mine, so that way in passing if you need any help you can reach me.” Hikaru reached back and tapped on a locker three times. “Come on, it’s time to go to the library.”
The walk from the locker square to the library was short, on the same side as the science building.
The library itself was large and open, but lacked custom rows of bookshelves, rather opting for walls covered in books with a myriad of mismatched tables in the main area.
“Keep your schedule out, Bones is gonna need it.” Hikaru quietly instructed Spock.
To the back left side of the library, there was an open and mostly empty looking room. Inside a burly looking student sat at a table organizing library cards. He looked up at the two, and smiled widely looking at Hikaru.
“Hey, Hikaru, howdy stranger.” The boy had a strong southern drawl, unusual for a Californian student.
“I am Spock.” Spock said, dreading another handshake.
“Leonard,” The boy said, and instead he took Spock’s schedule and turned away to grab underneath his table. “Let’s see…ap physics... ap calc... honors bio…” He pulled out each related book accordingly with his free hand, and shoved them towards Spock over the table.
“Thank you,” Spock said, pulling them into his arms.
“Full schedule huh?” Leonard asked, leaning up again and passing the schedule back over.
“Nothing exemplary, I assure you.” Spock did not miss the strange look Leonard shot at Hikaru as he pocketed his schedule. There was a small stretch of silence where Spock searched for what to say before Leonard’s phone went off. He whipped it from his pocket and opened it up, his hair that was previously slicked back falling over his eyes as he looked down.
“Shit,” was all he said, standing up and pushing his chair back out of his way.
“Kirk?” Hikaru asked, an understanding flashing between the two. Spock watched curiously as Leonard nodded quickly and ran from the room.
Hikaru said nothing of the situation as Leonard left, and instead had Spock follow him back to his locker.
“12, 39, 16,” Hikaru mumbled, getting Spock’s locker open on the first try. “Aha! There we go. I usually don’t even get my own right on the first try...” He laughed almost nervously.
Hikaru was obviously trying in vain to make conversation. Spock still couldn’t get Leonard’s reaction out of his mind, so while he was putting his books away, he asked, “If I may inquire, what is Kirk?”
Hikaru looked up from where he was looking at his feet. He shrugged.
“You will probably find out eventually.” Hikaru paused, and laughed at Spock’s confused reaction to his cryptic statement. “Anyway, d’you want to come with me to the ice cream shop down the street after school? We have fourth together so we could go directly after school...”