Chapter 11

As they crammed into line, Nancy whispered in Laurens ear, "He's a bit of alright in't he ?."

Lauren sneaked a look up at him again and blushed red as he turned and caught he gaze, she quickly fell back into formation. "He's our Sergeant." She said, facing the front again, hoping that it would answer Nancy's question.

"Awww ! you totally Like him !" Nancy stated

"I DO NOT! Now shut up" She told her firmly. By this point they'd reached a stop and were being shown into their dorms.

"You have one hour ladies, then room checks will be completed. Contrary to the things you might have been told, this is not going to be some alternative form of hell. It's going to be hard work, but you were picked because we believe you're the best recruits possible. You will find parts of this journey enjoyable as well as difficult, we'll make soldiers out of you yet… I'll be back in an hour" He left the room closing the door behind him.

*JL*JL*JL*

The room remained in silence as all the girls packed their things away in accordance with the instructions on their beds. They next changed into their kits and set about getting their hair in line with the rules. "Nancy…" Lauren whispered across the room, trying to get her attention. "Nance …"

"Alright?" she replied loudly, the entire room turning to stare at them.

"Do you have any hairpins?"

Nancy laughed and shook her head "do I look like the type of girl that has hair pins?" she had her own hair in a low bun at the nape of her neck.

"Here…" another girl passed a few hair pins across to Lauren smiling. "My name's Ella"

"Thank you" Lauren smiled taking the pins and tucking the lose strands of hair into her French plait. Rules stated that girls must have hair in one single French plait or in a bun. "I'm Lauren"

"I'm Nancy"

The girls managed a small conversation before they were interrupted by the door opening, Sergeant Adams and a female officer walking in. "stand at the end of your bed's girls." They all did as they were told, standing in a tall straight position. "At ease ladies…" There was so much tension in the room as they checked each and every draw for contraband items, each wardrobe to ensure it was tidy and organised accordingly.

He approached Laurens wardrobe and gave her a gentle smile, before closing it again. "Good work girls…I expect everything to be like this every time there's an inspection."

On point, the girls all saluted and responded "Yes Serge."

"Good, out in the corridor in 10."

Their corridor outing had been yet another introduction in which it was the recruits turn to introduce themselves, they were then given a tour of the Barracks. It was a pretty huge place, had on site shops, gym, swimming pool and bowling complex. Lauren had managed to sneak a text to her parents before she left too, so that had made her feel much better.

*JL*JL*JL*

They arrived back in the dormitory almost an hour later, all of them looking completely exhausted. Most of the girls had gone in and collapsed straight to their bed, Nancy and Lauren were sitting on theirs though.

"Thank God that's over" Lauren muttered, glad she was finally able to sit, although she wasn't as tired as what she thought she'd be. Guess she was used to being up for hours on end, granted she was usually drunk out of her mind though. Lauren looked around the room, able to take it all in properly now. Single bed, a set of draws, bedside table, lamp and wardrobe the same for the rest of the girls around the room too.

"The bathrooms are down the corridor" Nancy offered. "They didn't tell us and I thought it would be good to know where I'd be peeing." She smiled. "So, they said dinner would be in a bit"

"In the canteen at 6:30," Lauren said, remembering from their earlier introduction.

"What do you make of all this?" Nancy asked, leaning forward on her bed, laying her chin against her palms, as she propped up on her elbows.

"I don't know yet " Lauren replied. "I think we got the better Sergeant though." She added, not entirely sure why, her mind was obviously getting ahead of her.

"Fitter, you mean? " Nancy teased. "I saw you looking at him earlier…Sergeant Adams" she said with a wistful look

"I looked at everyone" Lauren protested. "Not just at him. I take everyone in, all the details. It's just what I do" she shrugged, and she was telling the truth, she liked to take in the details, it was how she got such realistic drawings.

"Well, I doubt you'll forget him anytime soon." Ella chuckled from the other bed, obviously having been listening to the conversation. "He is hot though Lauren, you got good taste girl."

The door opened abruptly and they all took to their feet "Dinner ladies… you have the rest of the evening to yourselves…lights out at 11." The girls filed out in formation, following their corporal to the canteen.

*JL*JL*JL*

The place was humming with new recruits and existing privates. Sergeant Adams was right, it was like a family. They were all laughing and joking smiling as they each talked. Lauren looked around and saw a few empty seats. She, Nancy and Ella sitting in them once they'd got their food. The rest of the table were mostly boys and she guess this would be when the segregation stopped.

"Ladies" the one said looking particularly at Lauren. The three girls smiled and went back to eating but the boys had other ideas. "I'm Greg"

"Nancy, She's Lauren, she's Ella." She informed them mouthful of food. The boys laughed, obviously seeing Nancy was more of a tomboy then the other two.

"It's nice to actually talk to some other newbies, it's not like we had much chance earlier in the day," he remarked. "Was today crazy for you lot as well?"

"Crazy doesn't really seem to cover it " Ella supplied, now fully interested in the boys. "I don't know if I'll ever get used to this…" she added.

"I will, I know I'm going to love it here, beats living with my Mum who's trying to turn me into Malibu Barbie" Nancy said with a shudder.

Greg laughed, his attention turning to Lauren. "What about you ? your quiet…"

At that moment in time, Lauren didn't hear him, she was caught in her own world, a figure caught her attention in her peripheral vision. It was sergeant Adams , walking right by their table. Something about him captivated her yet again, drawing her eyes to him, almost against her will. It wasn't his looks, – although he was gorgeous, it was his presence, he had a very commanding quality that made her want to be where he was. He must have felt her looking at him because he turned his head and their eyes met, chocolate brown on chocolate brown, and they locked for a brief, but powerful moment.

Lauren wanted to break the connection, she really did, but she refused to, well her body refused to. She could feel her cheeks flushing deeper and deeper the longer the gaze was held. But her sergeant didn't seem affected by her attention, he merely met her gaze, then continued on his way to his table.

Nancy chose that moment to elbow Lauren in the ribs . "Hey! You're on another planet or something"

Lauren shook her head and smiled sheepishly, going back to her food "Lost in thought, sorry," she answered.

As they were finishing their meals, they realised the canteen was slowly emptying. Only a few people were left. "Where do we go now?" Lauren asked.

"Games room" The boys stated, getting up from the table. The girls didn't argue ad processed to follow them. Lauren couldn't hello but notice his eyes in her as she left though, but she walked on, forcing herself not to look back.

Well well well, something is definitely between them no? Laurens for sure made an impression and Sergeant Adams certainly has too ! I may be persuaded for another chapter tonight... xxx