AN: Thanks to everyone who reviewed. I appreciate it. I'm afraid I probably won't be updating very often. Vacation is over and it's back to life, but I promise I'll try my hardest.

Oak Ridge Military Academy: A Cadet's Account

Day 1: Evening

I didn't realize it then, but that was the beginning of the best friendship I would ever be a part of.

"I'm gonna go catch dinner at the mess. You comin'?"

"Sure"

I followed him out of the room.

"So what's your story?"

"Dad got fed up with my stunts and shipped me here. One fewer problem standing between him and his perfect life."

He nodded in acknowledgement. "Where'd you live?"

"Conneticut, Hartford. You?"

"Well I want to be here. One of the few people here who didn't come to reform myself so the parents could show me off to society. I came here on scholarship. My family lives in Texas on a ranch."

Remembering the pictures on the bunk I said, "Your family is close."

"Yeah, we've always been. There's mom, dad, my little bro Andy, 14, and my baby sister Jessie who's 12."

"And the girl?"

"Kelly," He said with a smile. "We were dating for a year before I came here. I feel bad about the whole distance thing, but when you find someone special you gotta grab them and never let 'em go because they might not be there when you get back. You know what I mean Freddy?"

To escape answering I asked about the Freddie thing.

"Well what else am I supposed to call you? You failed to mention your name."

"Well Tristan Janlan Dugrey is a mighty famous name where I come from."

"Well sorry Cadet DuGrey, but it means squat around here. And just for the record, Corporal Jacob Gaines, Call me Jake."

"It's a pleasure Jake, and trust me when I say I'm constantly finding truth in your previous statement."

We entered the Mess hall and it was like nothing I've ever seen before. Half the guys were wearing camo pants, white t-shirts and the same cap. With no hair underneath. I unconsciously ran my fingers through my hair.

"Yeah, that'll all be gone tomorrow."

I stared at him, bewildered.

"They're shaving my hair? Why!?"

"I dunno, it's the uniform, so say goodbye to your luscious locks."

We got in line for the food and looked at the blackboard that wuld tell us what meal we'd be eating tonight.

"Mac n' Cheese. You got off easy Dugrey. This is one of their better meals."

"Wow, I haven't had macaroni and cheese since I slept over my friend's house in the third grade."

"What did you eat your whole life?"

"It was all caviar and escargot for me. Nothing but the best for society's elite."

"Sucks for you man. I thought the food here was bad."

We got our food and sat down at a table in the corner. I started to eat my macaroni, savoring every bite of the common meal that so rarely met my toungue.

"So dude, you never answered my question before. Any special lady?"

"There were plenty of ladies, none too special. Only one I wished I could've called my own. I actually tried the boyfriend/girlfriend thing, but she wouldn't give me the time of day."

"Tough man. Don't let her get too fan away though. You never know when you'll decide she's special enough to change for. What do you think happened to me?"

I laughed as we got up and headed back to our 'Barrack' thinking about what he said. I couldn't let it bother me though because I had a clean slate tomorrow and my life didn't have to stay the same.

AN: So there's another chapter. I would've added more, but I didn't feel like typing it up, and it was a decent place to end.

Reviews are welcomed, as always.

Thanks )