My Soldier Mate

CHAPTER NINE:

CHAPTER NINE:

A few hours later… We were driving. Jack and I were talking about a sparring move. He noticed that I needed more time to practice. And how I can make it work with me and not against me without getting hurt by it. I appreciated his advice. It made me miss my father and my father’s father. They are the ones who taught me how to fight in the first place. I know my father passed away, but my grandfather is still living. I wasn’t allowed to see or speak to him because of Caleb and my mother. I wish I had his number, so I could have called him. But hopefully, soon I will be able to find him and reconnect with him. After three hours, we were at the basics. I got out at the gate. My grandmother gave me some money. She said, “Just in case.” I smiled, and I said, “Thank you and I will call you later.” Jack said, “We will wait for your call.” I smiled, and I started to walk to the gate. The guard said “name?”

I said “Nala Elizabeth Aston, new recruit.”

The guy said, “Well, welcome Private Aston. We are happy to have you. Here is your

I'd have a badge, and here is your room number. We have your back. Just like we had with your father and grandfather.” With that we smiled. And I started to walk to my barracks. I never realized that I was following in my grandfather’s and father’s footsteps. That made me smile even more. I felt proud, and I felt a little closer to them. While I was thinking to myself, I made it to my room and there was a girl already in there. I walked in and said “Hello, I am Nala Aston.”

The girl looked at me and made a face and said “I am Amanda Emcko. So what are you actually here for?”

I replied, “What do you mean by that? I am here to protect my country. There is no other reason to join the Army. I don’t know why you are here with what you just asked me.”

Amanda said “Oh me, I am here to just find a military husband to be a trophy wife.”

I replied, “So you are not going to train or take this seriously really. If you get on the battlefield with that attitude, you get your people seriously injured.”

Amanda replied, “I don’t plan on ever seeing a battle. " I planned on being there for a little while and, honestly, just dropped out saying" I can’t do it. I just shook my head and I didn’t respond. I just put my bag down, and I started to unpack my workout gear and my toiletries. Amanda said, “So are we going to go to roll call in a few minutes?” Do you want to walk with me?”

I replied, “Sure we can walk together. Since it goes alphabetically, I won't be sitting with you.”

Amanda replied, “That is fine. " I was paying attention to where to go because I was looking at all these hot men.”

I finally said “What is the point? " You can do this, but you want a male to save you like you are a damsel in distress, but you are just playing a part to get noticed.”

She replied, “Well, that is really none of your business.”

I replied, “Maybe you should go alone, because, honestly, I can’t deal with another person who is fake, and honestly, these guys will know you are fake rather than making smiling. And I am not saying that to be mean, but you really need to check yourself and make sure you're doing the right thing.” With that being said, I walked out of the room and started to go to the roll call room. About a few minutes after I left the room, I heard her behind me. She was calling my name, but I wasn’t listening. When we were outside, she finally realized I wasn’t going to wait for her. That is when I saw a friendly face. We literally bumped into each other. I said, “Well Alex, isn’t it nice to see you here?”

Alex replied “You too, Nala. Where is your roommate?”

I replied “behind me, but don’t go there. Where is your roommate?”

Alex said “Well, he is right there, (pointing to the guy behind him talking to my roommate).”

I said, “Dude, heads up, she doesn’t want to be here, really, she is only here to find a husband and to be a trophy wife to sit at home. Just a heads-up.”

Alex replied “Thanks for the heads-up. " But let’s go so we won't be late.” I nodded my head, and we started to walk again. Alex said “Dude, come on, we can’t be late for roll call. Oh dude, this is Nala. Nala, this is my bunky Jason Black.”

I said, “Nice to meet you, Jason. " We do need to get going.” With that we started to walk faster. Amanda said “Hey guys, wait for me.”

I replied, “That is why you are supposed to be in uniform, Amanda. Not high heels and a tight shirt. This is basic training for the Army, not a club.”

Amanda said, “Well, I feel like, for tonight, we should be able to wear whatever we want, because we are just getting here.” That, I didn’t answer. None else did either. We all go to roll call. Everyone stopped their chat to look at Amanda. Everyone started to stare at her. I looked at her and she looked completely embarrassed. Amanda said, “Okay, I am the only one that is dressed up for this meeting. So much fun. Nala, can you please let me borrow your jacket?”

I replied, “I really can't wear it as part of the uniform. I told you not to dress like that, but you didn’t listen to me about it. You told me to shut up, and so I did. Just then, the commanding officer and the first sergeant came in and said, “Okay everyone, please take a seat in your assigned seats.” That is when he looked up from the paperwork and said “Ms. This is not a fashion show. This is a roll call. You need to go change, and we are not going to wait for you to be ready. Best be prepared if you are going to be running extra laps that go for everyone. So, since we have to go over the dress code here. " This is the perfect time for everyone, what is your name?” he asked her.

She said “My name is Amanda Emcko. I don’t understand why you're mad at me. It didn’t say we needed to be in uniform for this meeting.” Alex, Jason and I took our seats, which was awesome that we were literally next to each other. The commander said, “Well, let’s get the introduction out of the way. I am your commander, David Johnson. This first sergeant is Matthew Bell. And now let’s get this over with. Ms. Aston and Ms. Emcko came up here on the stage.” I did as I was told. He continued when we were both on the stage and said, “So apparently, I have to say this. The “outfit” that Ms. Emcko is not appropriate unless you are allowed a night off the base for some downtime. It is not to be worn on this campus at all unless permitted to do so. And you see Ms. Aston, who has her uniform and only chapstick on. These ladies are only what you are allowed to wear. You are also allowed to wear workout gear such as tank tops and shorts, but shorts are not going to let me see your hands, sweatpants, or hoodies. If you are running on time, you can have headphones in. And sneakers and boots, no high heels. Ms. Aston, thank you, you should sit down. So here is the rest: no nail polish, no fake nails, no make-up besides chapstick and light eyeliner and mascara, something very subtle. Now, Ms. Emcko got changed and came back here. You need to run now. And get back here as fast as you can.” She started to walk to the door like she was strutting on a catwalk. It was silly. Commander Johnson said, “I told you fast, Ms. Emcko. And I mean it. Or you can just go home right now.” So she took off her shoes and started to run. The roll call started again after she left. First Sergeant Matthews was talking about what was and what wasn’t allowed and what to expect and when we were going to leave campus to go to our spot. We will get our spot in the next few days. We will be training for 10 weeks, and then we have one week to relax and go out and have fun, but not too much fun. You are all dismissed when someone sees Ms. " Emcko, tell her to come see me.” We all said in unison, “Yes, sir.” With that we were dismissed. That is when Amanda came back. But she looked like she didn't care about anything. Her uniform was wrinkled, she was very unkempt. She asked, "Where are we going?”

I replied, “Well, the meeting is over, and the commander wants to have a word with you.”

Amanda replied, “Great, what does that old man want now? I didn’t want to come back, so I took my time getting dressed because I really don’t look so good in this uniform. It does nothing for my figure. But where is he, so I can get this over with? " And what are you and those two sexy men going to do?”

I replied “Well, I am going out for a run, but I don’t know what they are doing. Why do you care?”

Amanda replied, “I want the one I was talking to. " He is muscular and tall and has little brown hair with green eyes. " I mean he is husband-worthy.” I just walked away. It wasn’t worth it. That is when I bumped into Alex and Jason. Alex asked “what are your plans since we have “free time” right now?”

I replied “I am actually going to get changed and go for a run. What about you and Jason?”

Jason replied “Do you mind if we tag along?”

I replied “I don’t mind. " Do you want to meet up where we met when we were coming here?” They both agreed. We went to get changed.