Author's note: Hi, i'm electricstories96, i wrote this story because the idea popped into my head yesterday and i decided that i would write it before i lost it, i'm currently in the middle of another story, but i thought this would be a good idead for a story, so since i'm writing two stories it will be a while before i can update each, so please stick with them, they'll both be updated.
iDidn't Have To:
(10 Years earlier)
"Alright class, today we're going to learn about long division." My teacher says way too cheerily. I hate school, I've always hated school, and the only thing good about it is that I get to see my friend Carly when I'm here. If it weren't for her, I'd probably have failed the third grade. Suddenly, the principles voice comes over the PA system.
"Attention all faculty and staff, please report to the library immediately." My teacher stops then looks up at the speaker exasperatedly.
"Okay class, I'll be right back." She heads for the door and stops. "Carly, you're in charge while I'm gone." She says and walks out. Carly gets up and walks to the front of the class. She's wearing a pink t-shirt, a blue skirt and white leggings.
"Now then, everyone take out your homework, I'm going to walk around an make sure that you've done it." Carly says very sincerely. There's an eruption of 'boos' from our classmates.
"Sit back down!" yells one of the boys.
"You stink!" yells another. Carly looks down at the ground and sniffles, I can tell she's about to cry.
"Hey, all of you can shut up or I'll make you taste your own blood!" I stand and yell at them. The entire class quiets down immediately and Carly looks up at me with a smile on her face.
"Thanks Sam." Carly says and has everyone take out his or her homework. While she does this, I get up from my desk and walk to the door. I'm about to go get a drink from the water fountain, but hear my teacher and the principle talking on the other side of it. I stop moving and listen closely, they're whispering so I don't get a lot of it, but I hear some.
"We can't show them, they're only in the fourth grade." My teacher whisper yells.
"These children are very mature for their ages and some of them have parents in there." The principle responds. "Now, we're going to go in there, explain and show them what's happening." I back away from the door and quickly move to my seat. As soon as I sit down, the door opens and two men bring in a TV on a cart. My teacher follows them in and sends Carly to her seat.
"Class, something horrible has happened today, and your principle and I think you deserve to know." She says. The two men turn on the television and turn to the news. On the TV is a video of two buildings with smoke coming out of them.
"What happened?" asks the tiny boy sitting next to me.
"Early this morning, two planes flew into the world trade center." She says and points at the two buildings. "Those buildings there."
"Was it an accident?" asks Carly. The teacher looks down, then back at us.
"At first it looked like it, but now it looks like it was planned." She responds. I just sit there and look at the TV, transfixed. Only two words escape my lips.
"Oh no."
(Present Day)
"Sam stop!" Freddie calls after me as I walk down the hallway.
"No." I say and continue toward the elevator.
"Did I do something wrong?" he asks as he runs up next to me.
"You didn't do anything wrong, I've just got to go do something." I tell him and hit the elevator button.
"It's your eighteenth birthday, what could you possibly have to do?" he asks me as he steps into the elevator with me and I press the lobby button.
"I have to go enlist in the army." I tell him plainly and he laughs in response. I look at him and he sees my sincerity.
"Oh my God you're serious." He says finally understanding. The elevator doors open and I walk into the lobby and out of the building. "Sam, you can't join the army." Freddie says as he follows me.
"And why can't I?" I ask him as I walk into the parking garage.
"Becauseā¦becauseā¦." He fumbles for an idea. "Because I'm your best guy friend and I'm saying no." He says unsure of himself. I stop moving and then walk right up to him.
"So, you think that because I chose to be friends with you, you get to order me around?" I ask him.
"No, but I assumed that it at least gave my opinions some weight." He says.
"It does, Fred-head." I tell him sweetly and pat his cheek. "Just not in this scenario." I say and turn to continue walking. I walk right up to black Ford F1-50 and stand next to the passenger door.
"Why are you standing next to my car?" Freddie asks.
"Because you're going to give me a ride." I say.
"Where to?" he asks.
"The enlistment office downtown." I tell him. He stares at me, clearly looking for something to say. Before he can speak, his phone makes a 'ping' noise and he grabs it from his pocket and looks at it. "What is it?" I ask him.
"It's Carly, she wants to know when I'm bringing you over for your birthday breakfast." He tells me. "What am I supposed to tell her?" He asks.
"You could tell her the truth, or you could be the best guy friend ever and lie for me." I tell him. He looks at me for a minute, then texts Carly a reply. "What did you do?" I ask.
"What do you think?" he asks me. "I am and always will be, your best guy friend ever." I smile and run up and hug him. "I'm not gonna give you a ride though." He says. I let go and turn to walk.
"Fine, I'll walk all the way there." I say over my shoulder as I walk away slowly. "I'll have to go through some sketchy neighborhoods." I say after I've gone a little farther. "I'll need to cut through some dirty alleys." I add. "Maybe I'll meet a dangerous hobo on crack." I say before turning and walking out of the garage so he can't see me. I wait there and listen for him to call after me, but he doesn't. So I poke my head around he corner and see that he hasn't moved and is looking right at me with a smirk on his face. "Maybe I'll get mugged." I add and look at him with the cutest face I could muster. He tries not to make eye contact, because if he looks at my puppy dog eyes, he'll fold and give me the ride. I step back into the garage and continue to look at him with my 'sad eyes.' He takes out his phone and tries to distract himself with it. I take a few steps closer and he looks up at the ceiling as if it interested him. This continues until I'm about two steps from him. I now have my bottom lip stuck out, my eyes are slightly watering and I've begun to whimper and finally he looks me in the eyes.
"Fine!" he yells and I smile.
"Good, now hurry, I don't want to be late." We get in the car and drive most of the way in silence. We're only about half way there and he stops the car.
"What?" I ask him
"Why are you doing this?" He asks me.
"Because I have to." I tell him.
"Why?" he asks.
"Because." I tell him getting annoyed.
"But Why?" he asks raising his voice.
"Because!" I respond, getting louder myself.
"WHY?" He yells.
"Because of what happened 10 years ago." I yell. He looks at me dumbfounded.
"You mean, the 9/11 attacks?" he asks and I nod. "I understand that it's a big deal but I didn't know it effected you so much, you were only eight when it happened." He says.
"Seven." I correct him.
"What?" he asks confused.
"I was only seven when my dad died." I tell him, not meeting his questioning eyes. "My dad was there that day, when the towers came down, he was in the north tower." We sit there in awkward silence, and then he grabs my hand.
"I'm so sorry, I never knew." He apologizes.
"It's okay." I tell him and he kisses me lightly on the forehead. My eyes open wide and I have to resist the urge to smile at the contact. He starts the car and we drive the rest of the way in silence. We get there and he walks me in, there is a woman behind the desk who points me towards a room to the left. "I guess I'll see you in a few minutes." I tell him and walk into the room. There is a man behind a desk who sits me down, asks me a few questions, and then has me sign a contract. He gives some dates and places I'll need to be and I walk out into the lobby. I get in there, but Freddie isn't here. I'm about to ask the woman, when he walks out of a different room with a smile on his face. "What did you just do?" I ask him worriedly.
"I joined the army." He says happily.
"Why?" I yell at him. He looks at me with that same smile on his face.
"Because."
Hope you enjoyed the first chapter, please review, it helps me update faster. ATTENTION, my computer is down for now and ch2 is saved on it, i'll be using a laptop for now, so until i get my computer back this story and my other story Ultimate Power will be put on hold, in the meantime, i'll probably post some other ideas i had so be on the lookout for those.
