Deep End

Chapter one

Eric was the first but wouldn't be the last person I purposely fell for. I say purposely because I kind of force myself to do it out of a need to not be single. Oh look, he's so hot, oh look, she's so nice. That kind of thing. It's probably some kind of problem.

Today, it was Har I was forcing myself to fall for. The second time he came to my table, I forced a blush to heat my face and leaned in close to him.

"Can I just have a plain coffee? No milk, no sugar."
He laughed, easy, chill. The look was cute on his playboy, blue-eyed, dimpled face, and suddenly, my blush didn't feel so fake.

"Wait, your serious?"

"Yeah. I just went through a breakup, what were you expecting, an iced frap with whipped cream?"

"They say people's coffee orders show their true personality."

I smirked, the rest of the crowded coffee shop fading with my concentration on making this boy fall for me. "And do I look like the iced frap with whipped cream type girl?"

He gave me a once over, and the corner of my lips tingled.

"Nah," he said. "Your order is coming right up."
Huh. Conversation cutter.

I watched him walk toward the front of the store, then slouched back into seat, checking my phone. Eleven twenty seven. I had about thirty three minutes before anybody noticed I was missing. Just enough time to have a sweet first conversation and kiss with the cute worker.

That was when Jessica walked in.

Jessica is the kind of girl that believes she's everyone's best friend. She's also a very proud Armini. She was also holding a gun.

I rolled my eyes. Leave it up to Jessica to make a dramatic entrance.

"Everybody, down, now."

Screams and tears and bodies throwing themselves to the floor spread through the shop, and I jumped to my feet, running over to her.

"Jessica," I hissed, grabbing her shoulder. "Come on. Unnecessary."

Oh, hey, Millie!" Her brown eyes lit up, and she right away put her gun on safety. Then she eyed my outfit, judgement on her face. "Girl, what are you wearing?"

With one look back at the store my future husband works in, I push her outside. "Okay, you found me. What do you want?"

"I was just sent by Benjamin to make sure you were okay. You weren't on base, so he was worried. He's so overprotective, it's adorable. And your relationship-"

"Is over. Come on Jessica, you knew that!"

"I know, but it's still adorable because everybody knows he's going to win you back, you guys were just so-" she was going to go full Blabber. I hastily put my palm over her overenthusiastic mouth. "Jessica, it's on break. Please go back to Benjamin. I'm allowed to be here."

"But why are you?" She pressed. "And not dressed like that, your not."

I rolled my eyes. "Jessica, I'm not an Armini. I don't follow all the rules, okay?"

"What do you mean? Of course your an Armini. You were born there."

"I mean, technically I am, but-"

Jessica cut me off. "Your just a little rebellious, it doesn't mean your not an Armini. You'll get through this. Now let's go back."

Then she hugged me. With a defeated look back at the coffee shop, I hugged her back, then allowed her to take me back to base.

Trapped again.