The sun makes its way through the red drapes and creeps onto the strawberry blonde's eyes. The girl slowly awakes, grumbling and groggy. Opening her eyes slowly, one at a time she accepts it is time to get up. "What happened last night?" The girl lets out a long yawn as she searches her brain for the night's memories. She closes her eyes, trying to put off waking up as long as possible. "You got off the plane, waited an hour for your bag, started to leave, spilled your bag…"
Her eyes shot open as she remembered the girl.
The girl with a dazzling smile, the one with a blue flannel and eyes to match. The girl who…
"She kissed me."
The memories seem to pour in. The spontaneous kiss at midnight. Taking her to the hotel only to find the reservations didn't go through. Offering up her apartment and then…
"OH MY GOD."
She kicks her feet from the covers and flies out of the bedroom, sprinting to her living room. The scent of fresh coffee in the air. She turns into the kitchen to find it barren, except for an empty mug on the counter. After looking around the apartment she finds no sign of the mystery girl. She is gone.
The young girl trudges her way back to her bedroom but finds something she missed in her fit from earlier. A note. It is set on the pillow next to her own. She walks over to imagine the little letter.
Dear beautiful stranger,
Unfortunately I had to leave. I have work to start and although it was a beautiful and truly incredible night, I can't leave my name. Thank you and I am sorry we had to meet like this. I wish I could have a name to match the visions I am sure will haunt my dreams. Goodbye.
Sincerely,
A lucky stranger
She lifts her heavy eyes from the paper and sets it on the bedside table.
"Great. What a great way to start my day." The girl lets out a small sigh and moves towards her closet to grab her bags. The girls face races through her mind. Today she leaves and although she's only going about an hour into the mountains it's going to be strange to be away from her home for more than a week. With a glance at the clock fear sets into the girls eyes. "Shit." She officially had thirty minutes to get to her ceremony. The last step before heading off to bootcamp and she was gonna be late. Within ten minutes she's pulling out of the driveway, luckily at 7am there isn't much traffic.
"Jesus. What time did that girl get up? Who leaves someone's house at 6am? Was I THAT bad that she had to book it so quickly. Christ."
She pulls up to the Marine station, picking the first parking spot she can find. Her cousin would come later to get her car, seeing as she won't really need it anymore. "Eugene will like not having his car stolen by her all the time anymore." As she grabs her bag she checks her jacket pocket. The letter is still safely secured. She shuts the door and sprints into the building. Most of the recruits are sitting in chairs to her right, parents or someone there with them, it's the final goodbye. She sees that she's not the only late one as a man around her age huffs his way through the door. His eyes do a scan of the room and finally lock with the girls.
"Don't worry, I just got here too." The girl offers her hand to the man. He glances at it and with a small laugh he takes it generously.
"Glad to know I'm not the only one here who still fancies sleep." He smirks kindly into her eyes.
"So, I know that today is ceremony for Army and Marines, which one are you in?" He lets go of her hand and starts to walk to the counter, the girl follows and they stop a few feet behind the next in line.
"Marines, how about yooooou?" She tries to hide how tired she is but a yawn makes it through her mouth at the end of the sentence.
"Me too." Both are starting to lose interest in the conversation, being that neither got much sleep it seems.
"Oh I forgot, My name is Hans." He looks to the girl, obviously waiting to get a name in return.
"I'm Anna. Nice to meet you Hans." They smile at each other but are pulled away by a voice from the counter.
"I don't mean to interrupt but you're next girly." A woman in full uniform, probably mid forties waits for Anna to come to the a few minutes at the counter Anna is directed to a room where she will take all her final exams, one last weight check, oaths, and one last interview. By the time she returns it's around 0900 and the swearing in will begin in thirty minutes. By this time there are many more recruits, and many more loved ones. One lady is sobbing into her sons arm and is getting snot all over his jacket. A dad gives his daughter a talk about honor and how proud he is. Hans is surrounded by several people, all men except for one older lady, probably his mom. Anna looks down at the ground twiddling her thumbs. The next thirty minutes are the longest of her life. She has no one to say goodbye to.
What seems like an eternity later, the lady at the counter clears her throat to announce something.
"If I could have all recruits say if they are here when I call their names and then report to the room directly behind me." The woman begins the list and eventually comes to Anna's name.
"Here!"
She stands and makes her way to the room. Inside there is little room. All the recruits stand lazily, some socialize, others keep to themselves. Anna finds a free space on the wall and watches as the last few recruits fall in. Finally the woman at the counter comes in.
"Alright , so here's how this will work. You will all stand in a block formation at attention. Your loved ones will be allowed in momentarily to watch the ceremony. When the officer swearing you in comes in you will go from your relaxed attention to full attention." She looks around at them. A small smile across her face.
"Congratulations to all of you." She turns out the door and starts to bring parents in. The recruits all fall into block formation and stand ready at their relaxed attention. Chin up. Chest out. Feet shoulder length. Toes at a 45 degree angle. Hands behind our backs.
"Real relaxing stuff" Anna smirks at her own wit. Parents and loved ones begin to come in and line the walls of the room. When all are settled the woman from the door calls them to order.
"Attention recruits."
The sound of boots can be heard by Anna but the officer is not yet visible. As the officer passes Anna sees the back of their head. "Huh, a woman. Cool." The officer has platinum blonde hair pulled into a tight bun. The woman steps onto the stage and Anna finally sees her face.
Anna lets out a small gasp of air. "It's her. It's the girl."
The woman makes center stage before turning towards the recruits. A smirk on her face but compassion in her eyes. She scans the young recruits, smiling at each as to try to comfort them. The blonde spots a familiar face in the center of the recruits.
"Shit" The major thinks to herself.
Her eyes linger on the girl and her dazzling blue eyes show a second of fear before they return to a warming welcoming state. She clears her throat and begins the swearing in, avoiding the shocked eyes of the strawberry blonde for the rest of the ceremony.
(A/N): Thanks for all the great reviews and feedback so far guys! I'm really enjoying writing this! ~Ice Goddess
