Dreaming Big

Ava's Point of View

Sometimes you don't get what you want in life; and sometimes you just have to get yourself to places that others can't take you to. I never want to see myself crawling at the feet of someone who doesn't care about where I'm going, or where I'm going to end up. So that my good friends is how I got to where I am now. A military school set in the middle of nowhere.

"Ava!" A shout comes from my left, "Keep working or they'll drop kick us into the next drill!" Charlotte is crawling right next to me with her chestnut brown hair still in place, and her equally chestnut eyes looking at me with the worry of an older sister. Did I mention we were doing army crawls when I said I didn't want to crawl at someone's feet? No? Oh well.

Anyway it had been hours since we got a break, and let me tell you I was DYING! Not literally but you get the point. Did I also mention that most of my vocabulary is sarcasm? Don't get me wrong, I'm not out of shape, these drills are just really really hard.

I had been doing army crawls for the past hour at least. My knees and elbows stopped bleeding a while ago, but I can't say the same of my pride. If one more person told me to move it or to try harder I was gonna scream. They haven't heard me scream yet, I can make every dog within a ten mile radius howl like they've never howled before.

"Ok cupcakes you're done for the day." I had never been so happy to hear that voice before in my life. With the last bit of oxygen that I had in my lungs I collapsed to the ground. "Get up cupcake, before I take away your phone privileges." The threat was full in Coach's voice, and trust me you did not want to make him mad.

Let me tell you a little bit about Coach, first off he's not an actual coach, that's just what he wants us to call him. He's a thirty something, dark haired, deep voiced, ugly little troll. Yep, I said it! But when he said something, he meant it. I had to learn that the hard way. First week of school and I had already been on dish duty, which also meant I got to shower last. The horror of cold water. If I didn't do what he said I would hate my time here, even more anyway.

That is why I got straight up like I still had energy, put my hand to my head, saluted, and said, "Sir, yes sir!" Then, I gestured to Charlotte, and ran straight for our dorm room. I sprinted through the maze of hallways, past the cafeteria, and into our room. Lottie's bed was on the right, mine on the left. I ran for my bed reached under the mattress, and pulled out my worn out copy of "The Fault In Our Stars."

Taped inside the front cover was a picture of Lottie, our mom, and me. I liked how I could see my mom's chocolate brown hair reflected in me; I liked how I could see her joy shining through the paper. It made me feel safe, and like she would always be with me. It's because of her that I started to write, but that's not a good thing. I never felt like I could talk to her, or trust her to keep my secrets. So the things I can't even tell Lottie, I write in my book.

Bang! The door swung open, and I jumped like I was caught red handed. Which technically I was. "Ava what's that you're holding?" Lottie voice was laced with concern, because even my sister can't trust me apparently. "It's just some book I found in the hallway. . . . . I'll be right back." I have never been every good at lying, and because she knew me so well Lottie could tell.

"Ava Annelie Thompson get back here right this instant!!!" She grabbed my shoulder, and spun me around. She searched my eyes, "What has gotten into you lately? You've been acting up, purposely getting in trouble, bad mouthing authorities, and its making me wonder if I know you at all!" I hung my head, and hoped that she could hear the shame in my voice.

"I'm sorry Lottie. I've just been really stressed lately, and everything that we found out about Mom. . . ." "It's fine Ava," she smiled at me to show that I was forgiven, "just try to get some sleep, ok?" "Ok." Then I turned around, so that maybe she wouldn't be able to see the look on my face. I had a plan, and tonight I was gonna get out of this prison hole.