Drizzling.
The cold autumn air had set a steady chill into her bones, where, no matter how high the thermostat was set, would stay there.
Sighing, she took another small sip from the ceramic mug that sat in her hands. Sleep was creeping in behind her eyelids, and she turned to see the alarm clock flashing 12:05AM. What a sick joke- only God would curse her with insomnia on vacation.
Suddenly, as if knowing she needed a distraction, a knock on the door cut through the silence.
Moving quickly, she turned the brass doorknob only to reveal none other than Ghost himself, deep brown eyes staring into hers from behind his baklava.
"Hello," he spoke cordially, shifting his weight on his feet. "You can't sleep either?"
After putting down her salute, she allowed a small chuckle to escape from between her lips. "I think it comes with the territory of the job, unfortunately, sir."
Despite the fact that she had worked alongside the lieutenant and other officers for more than a year, Ghost was still of higher rank, and she still couldn't help but feel her palms sweat when he addressed her directly.
"I think you're right." She'd averted her eyes, now staring at the black tanker boots she'd thrown on before getting to the door. How fucking awkward.
"Well," he cleared his throat, "I just wanted to let you know they're cutting our damn vacation early. We head back tomorrow."
Her eyes met his, and she felt her spine instinctively straighten.
"Yes, Lieutenant."
With that, Ghost gave her a nod and excused himself.
Rubbing her eyes with her palms, she slipped back into the plush bed, letting out an even bigger sigh. And then, the thoughts.
Why was her commanding officer essentially hand-delivering news that could have been a phone call or an email? Yes, it was important that vacation was ending, but…she's just a warrant officer. And considering that none of her coworkers had their doors knocked on with the news as well, it seemed like it was just her. She rubbed her eyes as if she were trying to scrub the thoughts from her head.
Ghost was surely back in his own room by now, so why were her palms still sweaty? Without thinking, she rubbed them on either side of her thighs.
What was this feeling that sat in the bottom of her stomach, like a warmness, a pit?
Fucking Christ. This was her boss. Her specialty was computers. It's what every second of her life has practically consisted of. So why was her heart rattling inside of her ribcage?
Begrudgingly, she pulled the linen sheets above her shoulder, turned on her side, and felt her eyes flutter shut.
The clock flashed 12:37AM.
Her tea, still set on the nightstand, was now cold.