The Army Girl

12. Back To Barracks

My alarm sounded, startling me awake as I groggily slammed my hand down on it to turn it off. I noticed that Sammantha wasn't in bed as I picked up a towel and left for a shower. I climbed into the shower once it was warm enough and tried to get my mind back into work mode.

When I returned to my room I noticed a cup of coffee sat on my bedside table and took a sip of it before drying off and changing into my uniform. I pulled my trousers up and sat on the bed to put my boots on. I pulled my vest over my head slowly, with each article of clothing I put on, my heart broke a little more.

I didn't want to leave again knowing that Sammantha reciprocated my feelings, but, this was my career, this is what I signed up for, this is everything I had worked hard for, my whole life. After tucking my vest into my trousers I pulled my shirt on, tucking that in too before doing my belt up. I left my hair to dry naturally as I grabbed my bags, combat jacket and beret.

I left my bags and jacket in the hallway before tucking my beret into my belt loops and strolling into the kitchen. I was greeted with my fellow squad members, all in uniform mirroring mine, all with sombre expressions. I nodded my head in greeting before making my way out onto the apartments fire escape and lighting a cigarette. I stared out to the horizon as I watched the sun rise slowly.

I felt a presence come closer to me and turned to find Sammantha stood beside me, I gave her a small smile that she returned before giving me a hug. She held me tightly to her and I held her just as tightly. When we broke the hug Sammantha silently smoothed out my uniform, fiddling with my rank slides.

My alarm sounded from my watch alerting me that we needed to start heading out to the train station. I let out a deep sigh as I re-entered the apartment to load the bags into the cars. Everyone went about their business in silence, no one wanting to talk.

Once the bags were loaded into the cars we were ready to leave. Sammantha rode in my car with me while the others split between my mum and Kate's cars. I drove in complete silence, not even the radio was playing, occasionally glancing at Sammantha who stared blankly out of the window.

Once we arrived I took my bags out of my car, locking it and handing the keys over to Sammantha. Everyone made their way over to the platform, slowly because passers by would stop us and thank Lucas, Sophie, Sonja and I for our service.

Our train pulled in shortly after arriving at the platform and we all said our goodbyes before boarding. I walked towards the train and didn't look back for fear of not going through with leaving.

"Carmen!" A voice shouted, getting my attention.

I turned around and Sammantha ran towards me, flinging her arms around my neck and crashing her lips to mine in a mind blowing kiss.

"I love you Sammantha." I whispered in her ear as we broke the kiss.

"I love you too Carmen. You better get on the train." She replied softly, pulling away from our embrace.

I nodded and gave her one last smile before I walked away. Just as I reached the train Sammantha shouted.

"You make sure you come back to me Rodriguez!" I smiled to myself and nodded at her before I finally boarded the train.

Time Lapse - arrived on base.

We had not long arrived on base and had only just dropped our kit off in our barracks when an announcement was made over the tannoy.

"Can Sergeant Llewelyn, Sergeant Smith and Lance Corporal Rodriguez make their way to Colonel Sandersons office, immediately."

Sophie and I glanced at each other raising a questioning eyebrow, wondering who Sergeant Smith was. We both made our way to the Colonels office and we entered, noticing there was a female Sergeant already in the room.

All three of us stood to attention and saluted the Colonel as he entered his office.

"At ease, Soldiers. Take a seat please." Colonel Sanderson ordered and we all obeyed sitting down in the chairs provided.

"Now, you're probably wondering why I called the three of you here, correct?"

"Yes, Sir." We all responded mechanically.

"Lance Corporal Rodriguez, it is in my understanding that you are extending your original tour to accompany another squad in need of field experience and a Second in Command." Colonel Sanderson stated.

"Yes, sir, that is correct." I replied respectfully.

"Good now, Sergeant Smith is the leader of the squad that you will be joining and she is here to join your squad for now to see how you operate out in the field. Sergeant Llewelyn I trust you will teach her everything you know?"

"Yes Sir!" Sophie replied.

"Sergeant Smith and Lance Corporal Rodriguez, you can use this time to get to know each other better before going out with the other squad in four months."

"Yes Sir." We responded simultaneously.

"Good, now that that's settled, you will need to gather your bags and squad as you are leaving on the next jet. You're dismissed." The Colonel ordered.

We all stood, saluting the Colonel before leaving his office. We went our separate ways collecting our belongings and meeting up with the rest of the squad in the hanger.

"Woah, check it out Jordon! There's a new chick!" Private Newcombe spoke loudly when we had arrived.

"Hopefully this ones not a lesbian." Private Harper responded, giving Newcombe a fist bump as I rolled my eyes at their childish behaviour.

"This chick is not a lesbian, but, she would rather claim to be a lesbian than hook up with either of you." Sergeant Smith responded sassily while I bit back a laugh.

"Harper! Newcombe! Stop dicking around and listen in." Sophie shouted as she made her way across the hanger. "We are moving out tonight to camp. This is Sergeant Smith, she will be joining us on this tour, that's all you need to know. Show her the same respect you show me."

"Dismiss them, Lance Corporal." Sophie said quietly turning to me.

"Yes Sarge!" I replied standing to attention, "You heard the Sarge, get your s**t on that jet! Let's move out!"