Chapter 12
As the weeks went by, I couldn't help but notice that there were some other changes in me. My newfound sense of confidence grew, and I found myself being much more engaged with others, both in class and outside the classroom. I enjoyed sharing my thoughts and ideas without hesitation. Several of my teachers even complimented my newfound drive and attitude. Even my friends had noticed the difference. They said I'm like a whole new person, and to be honest, I prefer this version of myself much more than the quiet, reserved girl I used to be.
My newfound prowess in gym class also motivated me to focus on improving my physical condition. I wasn't fat or anything, quite the opposite, in fact, but I realized I lacked any significant muscle mass in my arms and legs, and I wanted to change that. Thus, I made up my mind to start running regularly after school each day. I got myself some running shoes and a comfortable outfit, and now I'm on a mission to enhance my overall fitness. Demetri had explained that once I changed, my body would remain that way for eternity, regardless of any future actions. With that in mind, I am determined to be in tip-top shape when that day comes.
Surprisingly, I found that I really enjoyed running. It felt liberating and empowering. What amazed me even more was that I never got winded; instead, I always felt invigorated after a long run. It was as if my lungs expanded, making it easier to breathe. I loved listening to music as I ran, and I always found it quite amusing when the Rocky training music started on my playlist I had made for myself. It was as if I was in my own little movie montage, pushing myself to go the distance and be the best version of myself.
I went out with Adam a few more times. He was a nice guy, and we had fun together. However, after our third date, I had to be honest with myself and admit that the romantic spark just wasn't there. As much as I enjoyed his company, I wouldn't force something that wasn't meant to be. It was important to be honest with him, so I gently let him know that while I did like him as a friend, I didn't see a romantic future for us. Thankfully, he took it well, and we decided to remain friends.
One weekend, my friends and I found ourselves with a rare opportunity – we were all free and ready to fulfill Sandy's birthday wish for us to play paintball together. Eager to make it happen, we searched the internet and stumbled upon a big paintball operation in a Phoenix suburb. The place boasted a large forested playing area with an abundance of hiding spots and strategic locations to plan ones attacks on the opposing force. Sandy volunteered to take the wheel and drove us there, and we couldn't contain our excitement to try something new and thrilling. We knew it was going to be quite the unforgettable experience that awaited us.
"I can't wait to give this a try, Sandy," Amber said with an excited smile. "I've gone hunting with my dad several times, and I've always enjoyed it. Hunting down a human will be a whole new experience, like we're in the military and off at war."
Curious, I asked, "Have you really shot and killed an animal? I don't think I could harm an innocent creature like that."
Amber replied, a hint of pride in her voice, "I've taken down several deer and one buck. Maybe you just don't have the killer instinct, Bella. And that's okay, it's not for everyone."
I hoped that wasn't the case. As my vampire future drew nearer, I knew I needed to come to terms with the idea of taking a life. Maybe it was just that I couldn't bear the thought of harming innocent animals. I had always avoided stepping on ants or killing spiders if I could help it. Strangely enough, I didn't think I would have the same reservations with criminals. After all, they could reason and understand that what they were doing was wrong. But in any event, I reminded myself that I wouldn't have to worry about this for several years.
When we arrived at 'Westworld Paintball,' they gave us a brief tutorial on the do's and don'ts with the paintball guns. They provided us with baggy overalls and all the necessary protective gear for our eyes and face. The excitement was palpable as we got to choose our paintball gun colors, and I went for neon green.
Led to the starting point in the middle of the forest, we learned that the opposing group, consisting of four guys around our age, would be located a good distance away from us. The objective was clear: retrieve the flag placed in the center of the forest. We had five minutes to prepare before the flag became available to be taken. The challenge was to bring it back to our base camp without getting shot or 'killed,' as they put it, to determine the winning team.
"Okay, guys. Any plans or ideas?" Sandy asked, looking pretty badass holding her gun.
"Let's rush the flag and try to bring it back fast," Chrissy offered.
"No, I think we should spread out, guarding the flag, and pick them off as they try to grab it," Amber said confidently. Her plan sounded more likely to succeed to me, and I nodded along.
"I agree. I think we should break up into groups of two to protect each other's backs and do what Amber suggested," I added, feeling a sense of camaraderie among us as we strategized for the paintball battle ahead.
We all agreed on that plan. I became Amber's partner, and we made sure to activate our headsets in our headgear so we could communicate with each other easily.
We heard the loud horn in the distance, indicating the start of the paintball match. Without hesitation, we dashed out of our base camp, adrenaline coursing through our veins. As we navigated through the forest, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the changes in me. Gone were the days of the old klutzy Bella, replaced by a more athletic and confident version of myself.
Thanks to the past couple of weeks of running and working out, I now felt capable and ready for the challenge ahead. My newfound athletic skills gave me the confidence that I could be an asset to the team instead of a liability.
As we ran towards the flag, I kept a close eye on Amber, who was running on my left. As we advanced, my sharp senses caught a glimpse of movement far in the distance. "I saw one far out to my left, 11 o'clock," I quickly relayed through our headset, alerting Amber to the opponent's position.
Amber sprang into action, crouching low to aim at the guy seeking cover behind the trees. I observed her firing relentlessly, applying pressure to keep him pinned down. However, my attention shifted as I spotted another opponent stealthily approaching from her right. Amber seemed oblivious to the threat closing in on her. In a split second, I stood up and took a calculated shot, nailing him square in the chest from a significant distance.
Amber saw what happened and turned to me, saying through the headset, "Great shot, Bella." But as she spoke, a blue paintball struck her in the side of the head, "killing" her instantly. I watched as she stood there in shock, knowing what had just happened.
Without hesitation, I charged forward, firing shot after shot towards the retreating player who had "killed" Amber. I hit him cleanly in the back, and he fell to the ground, "dead." I glanced back at Amber, and she gave me a thumbs up, acknowledging my swift retaliation. I nodded in response and then shifted my focus to locate the remaining opponents, eager to find out how Chrissy and Sandy were faring.
"Sandy, Chrissy, where are you?" I urgently asked through the headset. "I got two of them, but Amber's been hit."
Sandy's urgent voice came through the headset with clarity. "Chrissy got taken out almost immediately, and I'm pinned down behind a shielded outpost. I could really use some backup. There are two guys taking shots at me whenever I pop my head up."
"Okay, I'm on my way. I'll be there shortly. When I see them shooting at you, I'll do my best to take them out," I assured her.
"Thanks. Good luck," Sandy responded. I wasted no time and started sprinting towards where I believed she might be. In the distance, I saw the flag standing alone, but my priority was helping Sandy. As I approached, I spotted the last two opponents, firing shots in Sandy's direction. Determined to assist her, I altered my course, trying to move stealthily and get the drop on them.
As I closed in, I carefully observed the two guys who had Sandy pinned down, relentlessly firing round after round at her. They were completely unaware of my presence, and I knew this was the perfect opportunity to strike. Quietly, I positioned myself behind a tree to get a better view. Twirling around the side of the tree, I took aim and fired, hitting one of the guys right in the side with a precise shot that eliminated him instantly. I quickly retreated behind the tree as I saw his friend turn towards my direction.
"Got one of them, Sandy. I'm going to sprint towards you, drawing the last guys fire. While he's shooting at me, take him out, okay? Just let me know when you're ready, and I'll make my move," I relayed the plan to her through the headset, ready to act as soon as she gave the signal.
"Got it, Bella. Good luck. Go, go, go!" Sandy's voice came through the headset, encouraging me to make my move. Without hesitation, I took off running as fast as I could towards Sandy's position. The sound of paintball shots echoed behind me as the opposing guy desperately tried to eliminate me. My heart raced, and adrenaline surged through my veins as I pushed myself to go faster than ever before.
As I reached the outpost where Sandy was hiding, I heard her triumphant yell, "I got him!" I turned to see Sandy with her arms raised in victory, and in the distance, I spotted our opponent with a bright yellow paintball stain right in the center of his chest.
Ecstatic with our successful teamwork, I went over and gave Sandy a high five. "Great job! Let's go get that flag. Birthday girl gets the honors," I said with a smile, wanting to make Sandy's special day even more memorable. As Sandy and I walked towards the flag, we could see Amber and Chrissy together, cheering us on from the sidelines. Even though they had been "killed", their spirits were with us, showing their support.
Sandy reached for the flag and proudly held it up high in the air in victory. We then made our way back to our base camp, where the game came to an end with the sound of the horn signaling our hard fought win. Chrissy and Amber joined us, as they were thankfully alive again, and we all chatted excitedly about the thrilling moments of the match.
"That was incredible, guys! I can't believe we pulled it off! Especially after I walked into a hail of paint pellets." Chrissy's excitement was contagious as she jumped up and down, celebrating our victory. Her front was littered with red and purple paint stains. It looked like she must have walked right in front of our opponents.
Amber chimed in with her own enthusiasm, "It was a blast, but I'm definitely relieved we're not actually in the military. Getting 'shot' in the head really sucked." She then turned her attention to me, a look of admiration in her eyes. "Bella, you were amazing out there! I had no idea you were such a great shot. Where did all those skills come from?"
Feeling a mix of pride and nervousness, I replied quickly, "Oh, I don't know. Maybe I picked up a thing or two from my dad. He's a cop, after all. It's possible some of it rubbed off on me." It wasn't a complete lie; my dad's background in law enforcement might have contributed a bit to my abilities, but I couldn't exactly tell them the real reason behind my newfound prowess.
"Was it everything you hoped for, Sandy?" Amber asked, her eyes filled with curiosity and excitement, directed at Sandy, who was still proudly holding the flag.
Sandy beamed, looking absolutely thrilled, and replied, "It sure was! Thanks for doing this, guys. This has been the most fun birthday event I can remember." Her joy was evident in her voice, and it made all the effort we put into the paintball adventure completely worth it.
We made our way back to the main building and asked one of the staff members to take a picture of us, posing with our paintball guns in a group photo. We were all beaming with pride and happiness, feeling like a real team of warriors. We did several takes, some with our arms around each other's shoulders, displaying our unity, and some more playful ones where we struck poses like the "Charlie's Angels." Laughter filled the air as we goofed around, capturing the moment.
We had an absolute blast, and the energy was still high as we chatted animatedly about the match on the way back home. Adrenaline was coursing through our veins, and we couldn't stop talking about our epic shots, close calls, and daring moves. It was evident that all of us were still on a high from the thrilling event.
Later that day, Sandy dropped me off at my house, and I waved goodbye to my friends, still bubbling with excitement from the experience. I let myself in and found my mom in the living room, eager to share every detail of our adventure. She listened intently, captivated by my animated retelling of the event.
That night, I also called Charlie, wanting to share my paintball adventure with him. Being a cop, I thought he would appreciate the tactical aspects and the teamwork involved. He was genuinely impressed and expressed how proud he was as I recounted my actions and how our team had handled itself and emerged victorious. It felt wonderful to know that he saw me as capable and skilled.
As I lay in bed, the day's events replayed in my mind like a highlight reel. It was truly a memorable day filled with fun, camaraderie, and a sense of triumph.
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