=Hayden's POV=
(February 28, 2019-7 pm)
[Main Island-A1 Barrack; Fort Archian]
All I wanted to do was talk to Gabriel as I did for every birthday, and it ended up like this. Gabriel was with not only my parents but my former friends too. I had seen their faces behind Gabriel's; looking stunned to see me after so long. My father looked shocked and furious, and my mother appeared to be on the verge of tears. No one in my family knew I had joined the Marines except for Gabriel, and now I worried if he had said anything to them. Initially, I told Uncle Gabe not to mention anything about the suicide attempt. I suppose it wasn't a bad thing if they knew; it's not like they could stop it. Still, I didn't need all that drama right now. As soon as I realized Gabriel was with those people, I ended the call and sent him a message to please not say anything about having my number, or where I was. I didn't know if Gabriel had already told them or now, but I prayed he hadn't. Hearing my father's voice scared me a bit. Currently, I'm sitting outside the males barrack for Alpha Company; trying to stay relaxed and not think about what transpired from July 2018 to October 2018, which were the three months of hell for me with everything that went down in such a short amount of time.
"Hayden?" Troy's voice forced me to look over quickly. "What happened? Talk to me," he said after seeing my nervous and scared face.
"Gabriel was with my parents and ex-friends when I video chatted him," I said while trying to take a few breaths. "A-As soon as my father realized who Uncle Gabe was talking to; he yelled at me,"
"What did he say?" Troy inquired.
"He just called my name, and I told Gabriel I'd call him back when he wasn't with them. My dad started to demand I don't hang up, but I ended the session before he finished," I enlightened.
"Do they know where you are?" Troy wondered with a hand on my shoulder.
"I-I don't…think so," I shook my head to him. "Gabriel and I never said anything specific, but I don't know if he said something before I called. Right after I hung up, I told him that I never told them I joined the Marines on Skype, but he hasn't answered,"
"Alright. Deep breaths now; I'm sure there's nothing to worry about. If they are shocked or angry about anything; it's not your problem, Hayden. I know being reminded of them hurts you, but you have to consider those people as part of your past, and this is your future. Not just the Marines, but all the new friends you've made here, and the career you're building," Troy offered comfortingly.
"I just can't get away from it, Troy. Gods, I hate what my parents did to me, but I still love them. It's a mess of conflicting emotions that I don't know how to deal with," I looked down.
"It's okay to feel that way, Hayden. You don't have to talk to them. Think of it this way; they don't know where you are or what you're doing, but they know you're alive and that should be enough for them to see that you're doing fine without them," Troy tried.
"I guess, but I just wish it didn't hurt this much still even months later," I muttered.
"Betrayed by the people who are always supposed to love and be there for you is nothing easy to recover from; it takes a great deal of time to forgive and trust them again. Always remember that you don't have to do anything you don't want to do. Your life. Your decisions. No matter what you choose, Hayden; you have me, and I will support you," Troy hugged me. I embraced him back.
"I don't know how you do it, but you never fail at making me feel better," I admitted with a small smile.
"That is my job as your best friend," Troy chuckled. "Come on, let's get inside and relax a bit. You can hang with your friends and me for the remainder of your birthday. Or at least until 2100 when we get sent to bed," he added. I nodded and prepared to walk back inside when I got a text message from; Uncle Gabe. I opened my texts and tapped the newest.
I told them b4 ur call that u were on archia isle, but not that u were in Marines. I lied to ur dad, said I didn't have ur # & I don't have ur address. I'll cover 4 u as much as I can, lad. Happy B-Day, and I love u, kiddo. {Received; 19:08}
"Uncle Gabe says that he only mentioned me being on the main island, but he didn't give my number or address," I mentioned to Troy.
"That's good. See, nothing to worry about?" Troy smiled. I decided it was time to settle down for the night, but I'd reply to Uncle Gabriel first.
I owe u & thx. Luv u 2. {Sent; 19:10}
Moments later I saw the Sent change to Delivered at 19:10, then Read at 19:11. Yes, I had my phone sent to military time, and why not; it worked the same way. I stuffed my phone into my pocket after making sure the ringer was off, then followed Troy into the barrack. Ours, as in the males, have A1 for Alpha Company, and the girls had A2 across the way. There were six Platoons in a Company, and I guess we might be one large group of one hundred and forty-eight but we didn't do anything as a Company unless we got deployed. And even then, we stay in our assigned Platoons. As it turns out, my previous thought had been the Inferno Platoon was the smallest of the six, but I was wrong. Alpha Company has six Platoons; two of them are made up of twenty-two, another two are of twenty-four, mine being one of them, and the last two are twenty-eight each.
"HAPPY 19th BIRTHDAY, HAYDEN!" the males yelled.
I couldn't help the smile that came to my face. "You guys, and girls…I didn't need this," I informed when I saw the banner across the back wall, and the twenty-four cupcakes on a table under it. Hell, even the ten girls were in here, so were Vincent and Ryan too. "And how is it even allowed?"
"Well, Troy thought you might need a little cheering up after the conversation with your uncle, so he organized a small party. As long as everyone is in their barrack, and bed by lights out at 2100, then it's fine with us. Just keep it down," Ryan said.
"You guys are awesome," Troy chuckled. Vincent and Ryan left the barrack to stand guard and talk while we enjoyed the celebration. Maybe I did need this after all, and I owed it to Troy, who went out of his way again to make me happy. Troy and I exchanged looks at one another as he winked and I hugged him. I pulled away after as he blinked at me. "What was that for?"
"You always go out of your way for me and manage to cheer me up with the smallest gestures. You'll never know how thankful I am that you just inserted yourself into my life and became my best friend. So, that was for being you, and everything you've done since we met. I wouldn't be here without you," I admitted.
"Hey, I told you outside; you're always gonna have me," Troy reminded as he put his hand up and I connected mine to his. I got butterflies in my stomach, and I'm pretty sure I was blushing while looking into Troy's eyes. I didn't understand why I felt this way around him, and it wasn't the first time either. Troy and I separated hands; then the party just seemed to begin. I was truly blessed to have all this, and I owed it all to Troy for following me that day in the park and talking me out of ending my life.
. . .
=Hayden's POV=
(Sunday, March 31, 2019-2 pm)
[Boot Camp Graduation; Fort Archian]
Well, somehow-someway, I survived Receiving Week and Boot Camp! Twelve weeks of fourteen-hour training days have gotten me where I am right now. At the moment, I'm in full Dress B or Blast uniform; this consists of a gray hat, green undershirt, dark brown coat and pants, which had a tan stripe down each leg, then black shoes and belt that had a silver buckle. I guess we only wore this for semi-formal events, whereas the Dress A or Alpha uniform was for majorly formal situations. This outfit was a gray hat, black coat, brown pants, black shoes, white belt with a gold buckle, and gray, collared shirt with a silver tie. The, of course, there was our Active Combat Uniforms or ACU, and this was used for well, combat situations while deployed. There was a simpler version of this called the DTU(Drill Training Uniform), but only for training during drill weekends; the first weekend of every month or annual practice, which is two weeks out of every year. Did I mention that we all have an assigned rifle, handgun, and sword? We only use them during training or overseas deployment, but it's still pretty cool. In the Marksmanship test, I earned Expert Shooter with Troy, the rest of the Platoon was between Sharpshooter and Marksman. Apparently, Troy and I good with various guns and a sword; go us. We've been named a dynamic duo.
Gabriel was here, so were Rachel, Cole, and Dustin too; they came to watch Troy, and I receive our gun, sword, and island pins, the graduate as full Marines of the Archipelago Islands! I haven't spoken to my parents or ex-friends, but I know they've tried to reach me any way they can. Social Media profile, which I've finally unlocked and gained access too, and Skype too. I suppose using my real name when signing up wasn't the smartest idea, but I've ignored all requests and messages. Also, made sure not to post ANYTHING regarding me in the Marines. Though, my Skype name might give that away if someone decided to contemplate the choice in words and numbers; TheVikingWarrior_0019. See, the Archipelago generations ago was home to Vikings and Dragons, and most of the Viking ancestors through the years to present remained here. I know my family has been around for over a thousand years, so has Shane's, and most of my former friends. So, I came from Viking heritage. The Warrior piece signifies me as a Marine because we don't call ourselves Soldiers, instead, Warriors. Finally, the numbers 0019. Well. 00 is for the year 2000 when I was born. And 19 represents now, where I left for Receiving Week and Boot Camp in January 2019, and I'll finish School of Infantry by June. After that, I have no idea what happens, but I felt as long as I have Troy beside me than I can handle anything. More on that subject; Troy, that is.
I'm pretty sure I'm gay. At first, I thought I might be bisexual, but that's when I was younger. Now that I'm a bit older; I feel nothing towards girls, but a man on the other hand. That's a different story. It wasn't until I began rooming with thirteen other males that I started to take an interest in only them. Don't get that twisted; I'm not a creep about it or flirting. And that's because only one man can bring on new feelings I've never felt before. Troy Raseri; the boy who saved my life, and became my only friends after I'd lost everything. Troy was loyal, kind, funny, compassionate, sarcastic, caring, a good listener, and was always there for me when I needed comfort. Troy just knew when I was feeling down and would be right by my side to help. Troy saved me from killing myself; he became my only friend, at the time, and let me move in with him. Troy always went out of his way to see me smile, and I loved the feeling I got being around him. I got butterflies; he would say these incredible things where I ended up blushing, my heart would race and pound in my chest when we touched hands or hugged. Gods, it was indescribable.
I've never gotten these feelings for any female, or anyone. Except for Troy. The more I thought about it all; I couldn't deny two significant facts any longer. One; I'm gay. And two; I had a massive crush on Troy, and I feel like the crush phase is ending, which takes me into liking my best friend as more than a friend. I didn't know what to do about it, but I know that I needed to figure things out. Troy and I have known one another since October 2018, and here we are at the end of March 2019; just a week short of six months that we've been the best of friends. I didn't want to ruin anything between us, so for now, while I decide what to do; I'm not going to tell Troy that I like him. Today; I was just excited to be in his life, and have Troy in mine while we graduate as Marines of the Archipelago Islands.