My Soldier Mate

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN:

NALA POV CONTINUED:

Alex and I were talking a little bit while we were running. Alex said “So what are you going to do after you get out of the Army?”

I replied “I am not planning on leaving the Army. The army is going to be my life. This is all I hoped for, and I am finally free from dealing with what I was dealing with when I was back home with my sperm donor and my egg donor. And their little brat.”

Alex replied “can I ask what happened between you and your family?”

I replied “maybe if I get to know you know more.” I looked at my watch and said “we have to pick up the paste”. I looked at Jason and Julia, and they were running together and laughing. I said “come on lovebirds, let's pick up the paste.” We all started to spirit towards the campus. I know for a fact we left everyone in the dust. Jason, Julia and Alex looked at me like there was something wrong with me. I didn’t care. I know I am really fast because at the high school I was in they wanted me to try out for cross-country. But knowing that wasn’t on my cards because of my family and the circumstances that the world has dealt me with the situation that I grew up in, has made me stronger and more resilient. We all made it back to the campus where Drill Sergeant Keith Hamliton was waiting for us. He looked at us and said “You made it back in nine minutes and fifty-eight seconds. That is impressive. I honestly was expecting you all to come back later than the ten-minute mark. At least five minutes behind, not two seconds earlier. Good job.”

Julia replied “thank you, Sir.”

Keith Hamliton replied, “Your welcome, take a break while we wait for the recruitments.” With that, we stepped aside. And just stood there, waiting. The rest of the group came back around thirteen minutes later. The only person who we had to wait on was Amanda. Jason and Julia were talking in private about something. I knew something was up, and I wasn’t going to ask until they talked to me. But I already knew they were together, just by them smiling and always being near each other. It was cute at least. I will have both of their backs. About thirty more minutes went by and we were still waiting for Amanda. Keith Hamliton said “Okay, we are not waiting for her anymore. We are going to start exercising. We will start with 50 push-ups. Then we will go on to the prone row, then bend and reach, and then we will finish with combat training. I will be right back.” He grabbed his cell phone. I was curious what he was going to do when he figured out where she was. I went into my own world and began to work out. I didn’t realize I was the only one still working out. We were still waiting for the drill sergeant to come back. That is when the first sergeant, Matthew Bell, came. He asked “where is your drill sergeant?”

I replied “we don’t know he gave us our duty and what we were supposed to do, and he made a phone call and then he left. And never came back. I think he went looking for Amanda Emcko because she never came back after the run.”

Matthew Bell replied, “Okay, so what was the drill that he asked you all to do while he was gone?” I gave him what we were told to do. He looked impressed with what was going on there. So Matthew Bell said “okay, so we are going to start hand-to-hand combat. We are going to learn how to protect ourselves and our partners, because when you get shipped over we have to have each other’s backs. We need to know how loyal and how trustworthy you are when it becomes for you all to be in danger. We are going to send you into the forest to learn about your fighting skills sometime this week. We are also going to shoot, and then we will test you with paintballs in the forest to see how far along you got. And to see how you do when you are in an unfamiliar place and where you can. So you know what you are going to be learning these next few weeks and so nothing can be a surprise, you will know right off the bat. As you know, it is going to be ten weeks before you all get shipped out on your assignment. So week one and two. This is called the Yellow phase, which means you will adapt to Army life and learn about discipline, teamwork, and the programs and traditions. You will learn Army values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage. You will learn with physical and tactical military training, build confidence and teamwork by navigating different obstacle courses. Week three and four is the second phase, which is called the red phase. During this phase you will be trained to handle weapons and equipment and learn other hands-on aspects of being a soldier. Weeks five through seven are called the White phase. You will begin training with your rifle and mastering how to work effectively with your small team. And lastly, week eight through ten, which is called the Blue phase, which is where you will refine and apply everything that you have learned so far to complete your final rite of passage from civilian to a soldier. And a proud one at that. So let's get this show on the road.” Just then Amanda and the drill sergeant were coming back this way. I noticed that the drill sergeant looked dis-shoveled and Amanda’s hair was a little out of place, also her lip gloss was all messed up, which tells me that they were fooling around with each other because it shouldn’t have taken them this long to come back to the group. I know something is going on, and I have to be careful with Keith Hamliton now, because he is now in with a person who really doesn’t like me because she is not getting her way at all with me. The First Sergeant Matthew Bell looked the way that Keith Hamliton and Amanda were coming from. He asked “where are you going?”

Keith replied “I had to find where she was at?”

Matthew replied “You are both lying, and I do not believe you. It doesn’t take hours to come back to look for her, and we have cameras all over the grounds. So you might want to come clean right now.”

Keith looked at Amanda. Amanda shook her head no. But Matthew replied “okay, so here is what is going to happen. Amanda, you are going to leave here because it is clear you are not here to help protect our country and, Keith, you are also going home because you are on suspension for having inappropriate relations with your subordinates, so now you must leave. And Amanda you belong will be mailed to you because you are not allowed to enter any of the buildings. So, Keith, I hope it was all worth losing your career for a very easy lie. So you may leave.”

Amanda said “that was rude. I am not an easy lie. And I want to be here. Please don’t make me leave. I want to serve our country. Please.”

Matthew replied “My decision is final. You will be leaving today with Keith here. So please leave the premises on your own, or I will be escorted off by the police and the security here.”

Keith replied “I can’t lose my job, please don’t do that. This will never happen again please.”

Matthew looked at Keith and said “Fine, but you are not demoted, so you will never be able to lead anyone anymore. But Amanda is leaving. She is done. She has messed up every day since she has been here. She refuses to be on time, she refuses to wear her uniform properly, she refuses to take anything seriously at all. I am not waiting for her to get someone killed because of her lack of responsibility and care about anyone but herself, so that is that.”

Keith gritted his teeth and said “I will accept the demotion. And I understand she has to leave. Thank you for giving me another chance and not taking my career away from me.” And Amanda just stood there with her mouth hanging open. She was mad about the decision that was happening. But she turned around and stomped away from us. I looked around us when I saw another girl that was glaring at me for some reason. I didn’t understand why, so I pushed it to the back of my mind and focused on the present.

Fast-forward a couple of weeks… We have been dealing with a lot of information. Since Amanda was kicked out, my room has been very peaceful. It was really nice. I could study plus get enough sleep, knowing that I don’t have to hide my alarm clock. It was nice. Alex, Jason, Julia and I have become really great friends. We are always there for each other. I figured out the girl who has been glaring at me every day since Amanda has been sent home. Her name is Kelly. Kelly is best friends with Amanda, and she came to the Army on the pretense of finding a husband. But she is not half as stupid, and she is actually working and doing what she needs to do. But every day she has been trying to compete with me. Which I don’t really have to try. On the boards, I am the top person on the list. When I am not in training, I go to my room and study and then, right after dinner. I am the only one who is training some more. Alex and Jason and Julia are in the recreational room. I understand that they are very strong and that they are just fine, and they don’t need to train as much, but for me, it is different. No one knows about my past, no one knows what I had to deal with when I was living with my “parents and sister”. Hell, no one even knows I have a sister. I don’t really talk about myself, and I am pretty tight-lipped about that. So Alex, Julia and Jason learned not to ask me about it. When it was week nine, we had just gotten done with training, we were walking about to our rooms when Alex walked up to me and asked “hey want to be gotten in the chow hall with us instead of your room?”

I replied “sure, why not? I can take a break from studying so much. Is it going to be just us or is Julia and Jason as well?”

Alex replied, "Julia, Jason, you and I.” I smiled and nodded my head. That is when Kelly came up from behind me. I knew she was there. She asked," Hey Alex, can I sit with you all as well please?”

Alex replied “sure.” With that she walked away smiling. I thought to myself something was off with her. I do know she does the bare minimum with training. And she is not really interested in this work or this lifestyle. But hey, I will keep that to myself. I also kept the secret that Jason and Julia have been sneaking around so they don’t get caught with one another. I am really happy they found love and they are happy. I sometimes wonder to myself if I will ever find love, or am I destined to be alone forever. I know when I was living with my parents while in high school no one wanted to be caught dealing with my sister Carrie. But everyone likes to be with her because she will literally have s*x with anyone. But I stopped thinking about that because it will happen when it happens. I will let fate take the lead on that one. Alex then snapped his fingers in front of my face and asked what I was thinking about?

I replied “oh, nothing important.” I smiled and went back to the conversation between everyone. We went to the chow hall because it was dinner time. I went into line, when Kelly came right up and cut in front of me. I smiled and laughed because she was getting pathetic at this point. Once we were all seated, all the higher ups were sitting there talking about something. Alex said “hey once we all get back from where we are going to be station we should all go out to drink and relax.”

Jason replied “yeah, we can. But I have to ask your brother something because, since I am not the one going to be in charge, I want to change into different areas where my brother and I still work, and I am with him when I am in a different place for work.”

Alex replied, “sure you can just later when he is not that busy with estates.” Jason smiled. I know that is code for something. I will figure it out when I have the chance. But I will let them come to me when they want, and I am okay with that. I will just be okay. I know it is something weird, but what is not weird these days? When everyone got their food, the First Sergeant Matthew Bell tapped his glass. He said “hey guys. I need to talk to you about something.” We all quieted down and looked at him. He continued to say “well, it's nice to get to know each one of you, but sadly, next week is your last week here in training. So I have to give you your assignments, so after chow, I want everyone to line up in order, so I can give you your assignments.”

We all said in unison “Yes, sir.” He nodded and walked back to his chair. It was then Kelly was the first to speak. Kelly said “I am nervous about my posting. Hopefully, I am with one of you because you are much more skilled than I am.”

Jason replied “all you have to do is focus and not pay attention to all the men that come in front of you. Just stay focused and be a team member and not a one-woman show. Be there for you soldiers, because that is all we can do when we get shipped out.”

Kelly replied, “Of course. Thank you for the advice. I am sure it will help me when I'm over wherever I get stationed.” That is when she got up and left the table. When she left the room, she was on her phone. It was then I noticed she was again looking at me. I know she is planning something. I just don’t know what she is planning, so I have to keep an eye out. Just then, Alex’s phone rang and it took me out of my thoughts. Alex picked it up and said “Hello, Zane. What’s up?”

Zane replied “we are good. Just checking on you and what has been happening?”

Alex replied, “Well, I got my assignment a little bit, so I know where I am going to stop after next week.”

Zane replied, “Well, you need to be careful because you are my little brother and I want to make sure you are safe. But I also know you know how to take care of yourself without a problem. Hey, where are you?”

Alex replied “Chow hall, it is dinner time.”

Zane replied," Oh, I am sorry to be calling you when you are at dinner". Should I let you go?”

Alex replied “no, it is okay. Why don’t you say hi to everyone? Zane, you are on speaker with Nala, Julia, and Jason.”

Zane replied “hey everyone. If you all need anything please try to let me know, and I will try my best to help as much as I can.”

Jason replied “thanks man.”

Alex said “alright man, I have to go. I will talk to you later when I tell you where I am going to the station. Alright, talk soon Brother. With that, he hung up the phone. And we were done eating and then lined up when the first sergeant came and gave us our assignments. I looked down at the piece of paper and it read Afghanistan. I asked Julia, Jason, and Alex where they were getting to the station. It turns out we are all going to Afghanistan. Which is good because we are already a good team.