I really didn't want to wake up in the morning.
My mental alarm went off (AKA: Alpha), and I groaned so loud it made my throat hurt.
It's not that I didn't want to get out of bed, or that I was even all that tired. I just really didn't want to deal with the new Freelancers coming in. I wasn't good when it came to speaking to people, usually I just insulted them or fucked them.
Now, I knew I was allowed to insult them. In a way, I was sort of their commanding officer, like a sort of supervisor. I could criticize them 24/7 if I wanted to. However, I don't think the Director would be too pleased with me sleeping with one of the rookies. In fact, there was a rule against relationships between agents in Project Freelancer.
Interrupting my thoughts, Alpha appeared in front of my face, his bright form burning my eyes in the dark room.
"Up and at 'em, Sunshine!" he yelled, making me really wish that I could push him.
"Ugh, go away," I grumbled, reluctantly sitting up. Can't I get one day off? Just to lay in my sometimes warm, not so soft, bed all day long? Maybe even get a cuddle buddy?
I shook my head, 'Can't get too attached to anyone.' I reminded myself. That was my number one rule. I was already walking on thin ice when it came to my friendship with Tex.
After showering and changing, I slowly put on my armor, hoping to waste as much time as possible. I knew I was being ridiculous, it was just that most rookies are so hard to handle! They're either whiny, annoying, and don't do shit, or, they're a complete know-it-all kiss-ass.
"Agent California, the new agents are waiting for you on the training floor. The Director wants me to remind you to not bring up Agent Texas or the Alpha A.I." F.I.L.S.S.' voice called into my room. I sighed, putting on the last of my armor.
"Tell the Director I'm on my way," I answered, before grabbing my helmet and heading out.
When I got to the training room, I spotted five people all lounging about on the tables and chairs in the far corner. They all wore there armor, helmets off as they conversed with one another. It didn't take me long to realize that they all knew each other and I was the odd one out.
The agents all spotted me as soon as I got close enough, they all glanced at me before continuing their own conversations. It irritated me that they overlooked me as if I was just some nobody. I'm the first freelancer!
'Calm down, Cali. Just...check them out,' Alpha said in my mind.
Taking his advice, I studied the agents. The first two were a guy and a girl, in golden and light blue armor respectively. The man was tan, he had brown hair and was admittedly good looking. However, from the way the red-headed, green eyed woman sat with him, I could tell he was off limits. Maybe I needed to tell them about the 'no dating' rule.
The next agent was sitting by himself, occasionally joining in a conversation. He had white armor, which was extremely similar to mine, and it bothered me a little. He swung his legs like a little kid as he sat on the table, grinning under his big, fancy mustache. However, he noticed me frowning at him and he frowned at me in return. Deciding I already didn't like him, I turned to the final pair of agents, and noticed they looked very familiar.
They were another pair, boy and girl, though they looked too much alike to be dating. With their bleached blonde hair, and pale blue eyes, I was really annoyed that I couldn't place where the fuck I've seen them before.
"He-hey! Is that you? Our Lil' Lily!" the dark purple armored man cried, grinning and holding his arms out like he wanted a hug. The violet armor clad woman rolled her eyes at her brother's childish like actions.
Then it hit me.
"Ed? Beth?! W-how-why are you here?" I asked, giving them each a hug.
Beth shrugged, "The same reason as why you never got on that plane. Project Freelancer."
I couldn't help but smile at being reunited with my friends. Despite the fact that we only talked once, I still thought it was cool that we saw each other again. And here, of all places!
"Well," Ed said, "I think we need to reintroduce ourselves! I am Agent North Dakota, and this is my sister South Dakota. Just call us North and South!"
I laughed, missing his friendliness. "Well, it's very nice to meet you! I am Agent California, you can call me Cali."
Ed - North - wiggled his eyebrows, "Oooh, California? Isn't that where you're from?"
"No shit, Sherlock," South muttered, and I laughed at the two.
Suddenly, I realized there were three other agents with us, and I regained my composer, walking to where I could see all five of them. They all stared up at me, South smirking, and a tiny grin on North's face.
"Hello, welcome to Project Freelancer," I started, remembering what the Director wanted me to say. "I am Agent California, I was the first freelancer to join the program. Therefore, the Director deemed it fit that I go over a few things for you guys. First-"
"We're not new to Project Freelancer," The red head interrupted me. "We're here per the Director's request. We were chosen for a special experiment. The best of the best are here." It pissed me off that she just cut me off like that, but I admired her bravery, and her determination. Looking at her, I could tell she was strong. But, something else about her caught my attention.
"What's your name?" I asked, catching her off guard.
She blinked, obviously confused, "Agent Carolina."
I shook my head, "No, your name, I asked for your name." Those eyes, I've seen those eyes.
She frowned at me, "It's Carolina C-"
"Welcome, agents! I hope Agent California hasn't scared you off yet," the Director's southern drawl came. Instantly, Carolina's body went stiff as she stood at attention, along with the other agents and I.
I glanced at the Director while he talked to the other agents, and I found myself drawn to his green eyes that I was always envious of. Freezing, I looked back at Carolina.
Now I knew where I've seen her eyes, I saw them in the Director.
'Carolina Church,' she had meant to say.
XxXxX A few months later XxXxX
It turns out that a few months after I joined Project Freelancer, others had joined. Altogether there were 50 of us agents, though everyone else only knew of 49. The Director decided that since I would begin working more with the other agents, I should move into the area of the ship where all the other agents slept. I was a little disappointed that my room was smaller, and extremely disappointed that I had to use the locker room's toilets and showers, but overall it was okay.
I became closer to North and South, as well as Agents New York and Wyoming. New York, or 'York', as we all called him, was a really laidback guy, and was really funny. He and Carolina were obviously a thing, which was against the rules, but no one said anything. Wyoming and I had more of a love-hate relationship. I remember we disliked each other at first because our matching armor color, but we got over it and now used it as an inside joke.
Carolina and I, well, it was difficult to say what kind of friendship we had. She reminded me so much of Tex, which mad sense because that's technically her mom. Carolina was just as strong, determined, and as hard headed as she was. We got along well enough, she was just way too competitive. She could never lose. Whether it was in battle, while training, or just doing everyday things. She always had to be the best.
More often then not, I'd find us girls, 'Lina, South, Connecticut (C.T.) and I had competitions to see who could brush their teeth the fastest. C.T. usually won, South never cared who won, I only did it for laughs, and Carolina acted like she never cared, but we all knew that she was extremely salty whenever C.T. won.
Along with those guys, I met a lot of other agents as well. I usually talked with the ones that trained with me, and my buddies, which were agents Maine, Florida, and Washington. Florida was a really sweet guy, sometimes he didn't have much common sense, but he always gave piggyback rides whenever someone was tired. Therefore, he was good in my book (I was always tired.
Maine and I hardly talked, in fact he never really talked to anyone. He was this really big, scary guy that looked like he wanted to kill everything, and that could kill everything. He intimidated me a little, but I knew he'd never purposefully harm his fellow agents. As for Washington, I don't really know what to say about him. He was nice, and occasionally funny, but for the most part, he was just this giant ball of awkward. Especially when he was with me.
Now, I'm not gonna do the whole 'I don't know why this guy is so shy around me, he can't possibly like me,' act. I will say straight up that Agent Washington did have a crush on me, a huge one. I just never knew how to react back to him. I hardly knew him, I didn't know his real name. I had never even see him without his helmet off! So when the guy came over to me, stuttering and mumbling words, I just blushed and mumbled words back.
Maybe I felt a little flattered. I had never really known what it felt like when someone cared so much for me like Washington had. Even though it was a silly little crush, it made me feel really special. Sometimes I'd think about Charles, and how he thought he loved me. I knew that wasn't love, though. He was just in love with the idea of love, and he just thought that I was hot.
But with Washington, it was different then that.
It was always different with him.
A/N: Hey! Two chaps in one day :D idk guys, I'm just super inspired rn
But yo, we met Wash! My tiny bean. And yes, I skipped around some, I just wasn't sure how to add all the freelancers in, but I hope you enjoyed the part with Lily describing her friendships with the other freelancers. Also, it may seem like I was hating on Carolina but not at all, she's one of my favs but I was just writing how Cali views her and based off of how she acts in the show, she always wants to be number 1
But the bathroom part, with the girls racing to brush their teeth, you knOW that happened!
Anyway, review and let me know what you thought!
~Saammmm :-)