"Petra is..."
You breathed slowly, feeling as though your heart was coming up your throat. You took a long, deep breath of air and exhaled. That usually helped you in emotional situations, though this time... You didn't think anything would work this time. You clenched your jaw and felt hot tears stinging your eyes and blurring your vision.
"Damn," you whispered under your breath as you held a proud stance. The Commander nodded lightly and turned away, a slight look of pain on his face. Out in the background you could see bewildered cadets watching you, sympathizing with you, or simply staring off into the distance, images of brutality steam-pressed into their memory forever.
You held your salute for some time before dropping your hands to your sides. Petra. It echoed throughout your mind. As you slowly turned towards headquarters, your eyes focused on Petra's father who seemed to be conversing with Corporal. You tried your best to listen in on the conversation as they slowly walked nearby.
"…she mentioned that you respected her abilities enough to let her join your squad," Petra's father said, "that she was going to devote herself to you."
Devote herself to him? Did she..?
Their voices faded as they passed you on the dirt road. As they did, you caught a glimpse of Corporal's shadowed face. An expression you'd never seen him make before. He was having a difficult time listening to the conversation, you could tell, with his memories of the past. He walked consistently with his front facing ahead, probably trying his best to shake the man off without being too forward.
"Well, I guess she's too starry-eyed to consider how her father feels!" Petra's father kept up, a bit of nervousness coming up in his voice, "Well, as her father, I think it's too early for her to marry."
Your breath hitched. He doesn't know, you thought as you lowered your head and moved farther and farther away. Dodging angry citizens as they called you the usual slew of vulgar words, you headed back towards headquarters. You felt your legs go numb and your arms weaken. You tried your absolute best to stay prim and proper as you regularly were.
Not now. Not here. You reached your dorm, twisted the brass handle with a shaky hand and slid yourself inside.
You were well aware of your feelings and you didn't like it. The feeling of losing someone close. The feeling of losing the only person you were close with. The other Elites and Cadets, frankly, thought of you as a droid; hardly ever talking to anyone and basically just keeping to yourself.
Except Petra..
You blinked back tears. No. You promised yourself. You abruptly got up and walked over to your desk, fetching your book and a pen. Dipping the pen in ink, you began writing. Actually, sketching. You let your mind do whatever it wanted this time. There was no holding back.
"(Reader)!" she said, a smile spread wide across her face, "I got some extra for you. I know you don't like standing in lines.. So here you go." she handed you some of the extra food that was being given out to the starved cadets.
"Ral..." you said, confused. You looked her in the eyes.
"Call me Petra, you sound like the drill instructor." she giggled and sat down right beside you.
You couldn't really say anything back. You didn't really know what to say at all; you'd never really talked to people. But for that moment, you felt something change in you. From the moment you saw that shining smile of hers, it almost made you feel happy. Almost. But as that bond grew bigger and bigger and she dug in deeper and deeper, you felt, for the first time in a very long time, content. You were okay with life for the moment, as long as you could see that big shining smile.
You were suddenly awoken by a loud knock on the door. You gasped. Shit. Bunk inspections. You mentally slapped yourself in the face. This'll be terrifying, you thought. You got up and swiftly checked yourself to make sure you were presentable. You were nothing close to it. One quick look in your mirror and you found that you had giant, and I mean giant, bags under your eyes. Your skin looked shiny from grease and your eyes bloodshot and moist. Your hair was strewn out everywhere from your tight bun.
"(Last Name)!" you heard the Captain. Shit.
You decided it was no use trying to act it off. Your night had been the worst night of your life. As far as emotion came, you didn't like to express it. You gave a sad sigh and went over to your door. You prayed for your life as you twisted the knob calmly and was pushed back by the door being forced open.
"Sir," you saluted. You felt your heart beat quicken at the sight of his enraged expression. He pushed you to the side and quickly started surveying your room. Your room, for one, wasn't actually bad. The only things out of place were you book and your ink you were using the night before.
You watched as he lifted the side of your book up and let it fall. You could see his discontent with the thing being out. He then looked around a little more to find your bed made neatly and your clothes put away nicely. Your room was never one to be dirty. You were very organized most of the time and didn't like things out of place. Petra understood that about you. Petra.
"(Last Name)." you heard the Captain say. You came out of your daze and your gaze met with a displeased one.
"You look like shit," he said bluntly, "you failed the inspection. 20 laps."
As expected. Merciless Captain is merciless.
"Yes, Captain." you said dryly. You hated laps with a burning passion. Seriously, damn them all.
"And have fun trying to find something to eat. The food's probably all eaten up now." he said, turning on his heal and making his way out your door.
"Sure." you said sardonically. You instantly regretted your word when he stopped in his tracks. Bad move.
"Was that sarcasm I just heard?" he said with irritation, slightly turning his cheek so that you could see the corner of his right eye.
"No sir, I apologize sir." you said almost nervously. He really seemed on edge today.
"Then why would you apologize?" He said dryly taking a step towards you. Damn, what was with him? He's never been so touchy with attitude. Or maybe it was because it was coming from you? You were never the one to be sarcastic or mean or sassy about something. That was always Petra. You felt your eyes get a little warm as you tried to think of what to say, whilst Levi neared you.
Petra, you thought. Dammit. No.
You would've replied to him if another figure hadn't appeared in your room. It wasn't anybody you knew, but he had the Recon Corps crest on his uniform. You and Levi both noticed him as he strolled in with some empty boxes.
"Hello Captain, (Last Name)," the man saluted, "I've come to, uh, gather her things." he motioned towards Petra's side of the room. He continued into the room and set the box down next to Petra's bed, starting to open a drawer.
"Wait," you said, grabbing his hand away from the drawer. What were you doing?
"Erm, what?" the man said, obviously confused and a tad scared at your action.
"C-can you maybe come do it a little later?" you stuttered and your grip on his hand got a little tighter. The man winced, making you realize what you were doing. You were embarrassed of your actions.
"I'm sorry," you said, releasing his hand from your death-grip.
"I don't think that's possible," he said, "but I can work something out." You discovered a look of understanding in his eyes and you thanked God for it. Half-expecting the Corporal to instantly shove down the idea of putting off the clean-up of the room, you held your breath. You never heard a testimonial from the man. The both of you watched as the man took his boxes and left the room. The two of you were quiet for a very long time, and you realized just how quiet his breathing was. You contemplated if he was alive or not. Maybe he was a vampire?
"Like I said," he started, visibly startling you, "20 laps. Be quick about it." You watched him lead himself out of the room and close the door behind him.
what.