Random Jock upload! :D I just had a bit of time and felt inspired and wanted to do some creative writing to bring me some joy. Because I REALLY need to keep my spirits up right now and this did wonders. So, as a belated Valentine's gift from me to all of you wonderful and patient readers, here is the continuation of Brick's military academy's special promotion/graduation ceremony. Hope you all enjoy it! :)

(Jo's POV)

Alright… so, what's even going on right now?

Seriously, I don't really know a lot about this 'Military whatever' stuff. Honestly, I feel like everyone knows what they're doing here except me.

And if there's one thing that I hate… It's looking like a total idiot who has no idea what they're doing.

So, while I'm just trying to wing it and follow along with whatever is going on to not look stupid, it's like everyone and their grandpa knows what to do here.

But, like I should even be surprised since that literally applies to Brick to an insane military family T since his family has been in the military for more generations than hair still left on my dad's head pretty much.

Even now we were done with the ceremony and even though I don't fully know about all this 'Bobby Boot Camp' cadet military stuff, it was actually kind of interesting to see Brick in his 'natural habitat'.

I mean, I technically saw him in his ceremonial garb before when he went with me to the prom at my school, but it was… different to see Brick reporting for duty and doing every stereotypical 'soldier schtick' you can think of.

Marching, flag bearing, and even playing the bugle which both did and didn't surprise me that he does that in his unit.

His grandpa even leaned over and told me during the ceremony about how Brick's dad used to play the bugle back when he and Brick's mom were in their unit at the academy.

Which… Look, this day has been weird enough because his grandpa seemed like he hasn't stopped talking to me this entire time and his mom has barely said anything to me at all.

Even now we were having a ceremonial dinner in the academy dining hall after the ceremony and his mom just kept looking at me like she's 'staring through me' since she met me today. Even now, she just kept looking between me and Brick before just staring right into me again like she's trying to stare straight through my head and see to the other side.

It was almost reminding me of a classic intimidation strategy that I like to use before a game or event on my opponents to mess with their heads by staring them down.

Ha! Please… She can try, but she has no idea who she's dealing with here if she thinks a little eye contact is enough to shake me.

No chance.

But, still… I know I'm not big into small talk either, but… geez, what the heck is her deal?!

I decided to just ignore her as I kept eating until I heard Brick's grandpa say, and also wondering again if he's ever going to stop talking to me, "So, what about your family, Jo? Anyone in your family serve?"

I knew he was asking me if anyone in my family was in the military ever, but I just responded as bluntly honest as I always do as I shrugged and responded, "Not that I know of. My family's full of athletes. Kind of the whole reason why I'm here honestly since both my parents met on the Olympic Team."

I tried to keep eating until Brick's grandpa asked, "Oh, really? That's something! Do both your parents throw too?"

Even though I could feel my stomach tense up a bit as I looked up with hesitation, not understanding why Brick's grandpa was asking me all these questions for whatever reason. But, I just answered as straightforwardly as possible, "No, just my dad. My dad did shot put, discus, and hammer throw. My mom was a sprinter and also ran mid-distance. I do both and then some, but I just happened to make the Olympic Team for throwing."

I took another bite of my food as I tried to keep eating and also wondering if Brick's grandpa was ever going to stop talking.

Seriously, what the heck is this?! An interview?!

I tried to keep focusing on eating until I heard Brick's grandpa just keep talking, but this time he finally wasn't talking to me as he looked next to me at Brick with a playful smirk as he said, "Hey Brick, if you haven't already maybe you can show her what you got down at the recreation area."

I saw Brick's face turn red a little as he rubbed the back of his neck and started, "Well… maybe later."

This time I looked at him and quirked up an eyebrow as I started, "Why? What's the big deal here? Also, isn't that the same place where I kicked that guy's butt in your platoon at shotput?"

Right then, his grandpa let out a laugh as he said, "Wait, you took her there already and you didn't show her what you could do? I thought you and her competed at everything?"

Brick's face kept getting redder and redder as he bit his lip and started, "Well, there was other stuff going on last time and… just didn't get around to it."

Seriously, what kind of weirdass 'secret cadet code' are they speaking in that I'm not getting?!

I immediately looked over at Brick and questioned, feeling frustrated, "Around to what?"

(Brick's POV)

Ahh… Why?

I mean, I know my grandpa is just trying to help me out by 'talking me up' in front of Jo. But, I was kind of hoping that I could have brought this up in front of Jo myself and not have this happen in front of my family.

And especially knowing Jo… I knew she wasn't going to let me just 'drop the subject' now that my grandpa brought it up.

I could feel the back of my neck starting to sweat as I bit my lip again and shrugged before saying, "Uh, I'm currently the top boy's shot putter here at the academy. But, it's not a big deal."

I was trying to brush it off, but my grandpa reached across the table and playfully punched my shoulder (something he's always done with me since I was a little boy) before playfully grabbing my shoulder as he started, "C'mon, scout. You're being too modest here!"

I felt a lump forming in my throat at him using my childhood nickname that he still sometimes calls me to this day… like now. Sure usually I don't have a problem with it, but… agh, not like this in front of Jo.

Agh.. Especially not in front of Jo.

The moment she knows a new nickname she can use on me it's like throwing chum at a hungry shark for her and like rubbing salt on an already bad wound that just won't go away for me.

Even now that I know she likes me, Jo still likes to find ways to get under my skin a little.

But, I honestly think now that really is just 'who she is'… even though she does call me Brick more than she used to!

So, I'll take it!

And then I didn't know if I felt lucky about this or not, but I actually didn't have any time to be that embarrassed about that as my grandpa pointed to me and said, me knowing he was still 'meaning well' even if I was now just feeling embarrassed about how this was happening, "Brick's the current record holder for the academy for shot put. He can throw almost 22 meters! That's even further than what his dad could."

Right then, I saw Jo's expression slowly contorted into a smirk as she pointed at me with her fork before saying, "You don't say? What's with the 'secret keeping'? Trying to hold out on me here?"

I shrugged before saying, trying hard not to sink into my seat right now as I said, "Well, I was going to tell you last time you were here, but… you know?"

I looked back up to see her smirk getting wider and getting that look in her eyes I remember all too well from even back on the Island as she jabbed, sounding nothing short of Jo, "What? Knew I was going to kick your butt in the throwing circle so you decided not to tell…"

But, then I saw Jo's expression drop off as she looked off past my shoulder across the table with a confused look on her face with a raised eyebrow.

I almost mirrored the same expression back at her until I looked over my shoulder only to see my mom looking like she was focusing on eating and looking in front of her.

Huh?

I looked back at Jo and felt like I was missing something as she just kept looking over my shoulder at my mom.

Uh… am I missing something going on right now?

30 minutes later

My mom and grandpa just left after the ceremonial dinner and I asked my Sergeant if I could have special permission to show Jo around the academy since I didn't really get a chance to show her that the last time she was here was when the whole Wade thing happened.

But, Wade's been leaving me alone more since then, so… that's been great!

Honestly, even today was pretty great overall!

I got a few new medals and my new rank as I went into my final year at the academy.

We were just walking in silence after I was done showing her some of the buildings on the Academy campus until I was surprised when she said, "So, your whole family really went here?"

Even though I still felt like I was trying to get used to this new concept of going from 'Island rival of Jo' to 'pretty much boyfriend of Jo' (even if she still takes jabs and teases me sometimes still like she always does), I wasn't about to pass up on the chance to get to know her more if she was willing to talk to and open up to me.

Even if it's just in a small way like right now since Jo is not an 'open book'... at all.

I just smiled and nodded as I responded, "Affirmative! My family's been at this academy for generations on both my mom's and dad's sides. Actually, if it wasn't for the academy, I probably wouldn't be here since my parents met here. Now that I think about it, 29 years ago today they graduated from the academy before they moved on to officer roles in the Army Reserves. Funny enough, right over there at that barracks was where my mom always told me her and my dad first really got to know each other."

I saw Jo stop and quirk up an eyebrow as she almost questioned, scoffing a little, "Got to know each other through what? Telepathy?"

Even though I sensed the sarcasm, I didn't exactly know why she said that as I responded, "Huh? No, our superiors and commanding officers give out drills and tasks to simulate real military duties, so my parents both guarded that barracks in the evening after dinner and ended up talking and getting to know each other on duty since they were assigned to stand guard at the barracks together."

Right then, I heard her scoff slightly again as I saw her cross her arms and look off to the side as she remarked, "Heh, that's a surprise."

Now I was really confused as I turned to look at her and quirked up a brow at her as I asked, "Jo, what are you talking about?"

Luckily it seemed like this wasn't the kind of answer she was willing to hold back since she looked right at me and said, "I don't know? Considering your mom said pretty much nothing but 'hi' to me and starred a hole through my head for the past 5 hours… Seriously! What's her deal anyway?"

Almost instantly I felt a twinge in the pit of my stomach and bit my lip slightly.

Look, I love my mom and I probably know her better than anyone. But… my mom is definitely not the most social person ever, especially with people she doesn't know or have a level of trust with yet.

For as long as I've known her, and even more after my dad died, she's always been the kind of person that mainly 'keeps to herself'.

Mom doesn't really have a lot of friends or socialize a lot since she kind of prefers being by herself.

About as 'social' as I see her get is usually when she's with me and my grandpa or talking to customers at her flower shop. But, other than that… she just likes being by herself most of the time.

I think that's part of the reason why she likes working alone and in her flower shop even now.

Apart from busier stints from things like local proms, holidays, weddings, or funerals in town where she makes most of her money, the shop is usually pretty quiet and she can just spend time by herself with her flowers.

Honestly, that's part of why I like to write to my mom a lot when I'm away.

Not just because I like writing letters, but… I feel like I get more from my mom in letters than I do usually when I talk to her.

At least to me, it's almost like she feels more comfortable sharing how she feels with me if she can write it down rather than saying it out loud.

Not that I don't think she loves me!

I know she does.

It's just how she shows it with me. While she's not the type to say things verbally, I always felt loved and knew my mom loved me even when I was a little boy.

My mom was never afraid to hug me, hold my hand, ruffle her hand in my hair with a smirk when she'd tease me about 'needing to get me a fresh crew cut' when my hair was getting long. Or even when she'd kiss me on the forehead when she'd tuck me in at night when I was little.

It's just that I can't really think of a lot of times she actually told me 'I love you' out loud.

But… that's just not who my mom is.

Because when we write letters, she always tells me she loves me at the end of each letter.

I remember one time at summer junior boot camp, Wade and the guys took one or my mom's letters out of my hands and tried to make fun of me for 'my mommy telling me how much she loves me' when they read it, or that was how they immaturely tried to make me feel embarrassed about it.

But, I never felt embarrassed about the fact that my mom loves me and knowing and seeing that she does.

Especially since she basically had to raise me the best she could with only my grandpa for help after Dad died.

I never had any doubt about how much she loves and cares about me.

She's just really not a 'words' person and makes it part of this wall she always has up that only seemed to get even more like that after my dad died.

Honestly and in some way… that's part of the reason why I initially got drawn in by Jo when I first met her.

Sure Jo is definitely a lot more 'vocal' than my mom, but when I met Jo… there were a lot of things about her that reminded me of my mom in some way.

They're both strong, smart, tough, and independent, and whether I like it or not… both of them have this 'wall'.

But, it's not necessarily the same 'wall' that both of them put up from how I see it.

My mom's 'wall' is more of a mental one since I wish sometimes she'd be more open with me with her words and talk to me more than she does about things.

But Jo?… Jo's 'wall' is definitely more 'physical' and definitely 'emotional' to me.

I mean, not physical in a… 'romantic' way I guess since I've noticed Jo really doesn't have too much of a problem with doing things like kissing me.

And don't get me wrong, I like that too!

Really like it.

But, I notice she just seems to get very uncomfortable doing smaller physical things with me that I wish we'd do more of whenever we're together or out on dates.

Like right now, I really want to hold her hand when we're walking around like this or when I try to put my arm around her.

But… I don't know?

It's really like she gets very uncomfortable for some reason when I try to initiate something affectionate like that with her.

Which is fine if she doesn't since I don't want to force anything on her!

But… I think it just confuses me since she doesn't have any problem with making out or kissing me, but somehow things like holding hands or hugging are what make her uncomfortable.

I mean, I guess… I just don't understand that about her since we figured us out. It's almost like it makes me feel like either she's not telling me something or I'm doing something 'wrong'.

Like, is it me? Or is it just how she is?

But, luckily, I could feel Jo's annoyance burning through me as she was waiting for me to answer and to make me realize that I probably got lost in my head longer than I thought.

So, I just rubbed the back of my neck and tried to give her the most honest answer I had, especially since even I noticed mom just looking at Jo earlier a lot and even I didn't really know why either, "I mean… I wouldn't think about it too much. My mom's never really been too social with people she doesn't know too well. Maybe once she gets to know you a little better, she'll feel more comfortable with you. Actually, if you want, you can come up by my house over the summer when you get back from the Olympics? I can show you around where I grew up and come up with some fun stuff for us to do. Maybe we can rent some kayaks and race around the lakes? If you're up for it?"

I smirked a little to myself as I looked over at Jo, thinking I had her at an opportunity to compete with me at something.

Then I saw I was right when I looked over at her just in time to have her shove my shoulder as she said, "Heh! Please, I bet could lap you around any body of water you put in front of me."

But, right as I was about to smile and saw something, she clapped me on the back and said, "But, for now, how about you stop stalling and show me to the circle so I can kick your butt at shot put first?" After that she took off and called back, continuing her usual teasing with me, "What? Just gonna let me beat you to the circle too, cadet? C'mon!"

I stood there for a second, trying to mentally catch up until I eventually shrugged it off and took off to catch up with Jo.

Yeah, this is going to take longer than I thought to have her be comfortable with me.

But, again, one step at a time.

Well, it looks like Jo and Brick are still slowly working their way into being comfortable with each other, but... baby steps! Haha. Speaking of getting comfortable with new things, I hope you enjoyed seeing Jo not knowing how to handle Brick's mom and grandpa. Sure his mom is still a bit of a mystery, but I thought it would be funny if Jo misconstrued and was getting annoyed with Brick's grandpa constantly talking to her, feeling like he had an ulterior motive like she usually feels. When really, Brick's grandpa was just being nice and wanted to talk to and get to know his grandson's girlfriend. So, Jo is just being exposed to new things that she just isn't used to. Again... baby steps! Lol. Going back to Brick's mom though, I hope you all enjoyed learning a little more about her and her relationship with Brick a bit more from this chapter. As well as how Brick admitted that the reason he started to develop a crush on Jo was because certain things about her reminded him of his mom, but... more on that later. ;) Anyway, let me know what you think of this slow progression of Jo and Brick figuring themselves out as a couple and also what you're thinking of Brick's family so far. And I'll continue to let you all make your guesses about what is going on with Brick's mother's fixation on Jo right now for whatever unknown reason. More to come on all of this! Thank you all so much as always for your patience and hope you enjoyed the chapter!

Stay Classy!

Dexter1995