how far i run

Everest

Bracing against the physical contact in a way in which Mateo has likely come to expect, Ever blinks sternly down at his paper. "Apparently not. I did try and argue that, or...I mentioned it, anyways." It wasn't clear at all to the young aviator why he had to deal with passengers at all. Wasn't there a crew for that? His job was to fly, and un-arguably, (that was, factually), he was the best pilot out of his entire class. 'But they said both components had to be completed at a passing level."

Mateo's I am sorry soothes Everest more than he ever thought it would, and he finds himself looking gratefully over his shoulder at the botanist and nodding slightly. "Yes, I can retake it." He answers, pausing to indicate that was the answer to Mateo's question before continuing. "But..." Unsure quite how to put it, though feeling as safe with Mateo in a way he'd never felt with anyone else, Ever lets his shoulders sag. "...I am how I am. I try and smile and be polite and say and do the things I'm supposed to, but I just...I don't know how to be like everyone else." And, to ward off any platitudes of just Be UrSeLf, Ever waggles the paper slightly in his fingers.

"At least, I don't know how to be the kind of person who would pass this."

I wish that I could find the words,
to tell you how much that it hurts
That I'm not who you wanted me to be