The Fighter

Chapter 17

Alan continues on with the medical classes after the first one. In the classes we take we go over everything that we as an individual need to know. Alan tells us about the class each day he takes one. Another boy, Ned, does the class also.

"I got to practice stitching. David came in with a gash on his forearm and Ned cleaned it up then I stitched it." Alan was so excited about everything he was learning. Henry didn't like it but he acted like he did.

"It takes away time that I see him and he is always talking about things him and Ned did." Henry tells me when Alan's in class.

"Your in love, Henry." I remind him as he begins to sulk.

Henry was an amazing guy. Anybody would be lucky to have him. He was the one that could always keep a secret and never take your trust for granted. I guess that's why I loved him so much. He was there for me when nobody was. Henry was my absolute best friend.

Oliver sits with us after he finishes his meal. Alan and Henry listen to him intently as he brags about his and mine training sessions.

"She's absolutely amazing." He says as he gazes at me.

I remember when it was just Oliver, Henry, and me. Oliver always made time for us even though Jax made fun of him about it. Oliver didn't let anybody bring him down. I loved him for his fearlessness and reckless ways to love people.

Then there was Alan. He fit in with us so perfectly because he was a misfit just like us. The boys laughed and made fun f him just like us but he persisted in what he was doing.

As they all talked at the table an laughed I smiled. It was the first time I had really smiled since my mom died. Their laughing snaps me out of my gaze as I laugh with them.

"This is great." I say to my self as I look down at Oliver's hand that slides into mine.

Henry is actually being a social butterfly with the help of Alan. Oliver notices the change an makes a remark.

"Henry, this is the most I've ever heard you talk." He says as he pats him on the back. Henry blushes as he does a shy giggle.

I head to the barracks with Henry as he tells me about training.

"I've gained so much muscle in the past few months, it's crazy." He flexes his arm as I giggle.

Before we walk in I stop in front of them door. Everybody was in climbing in bed except for Henry and me.

"Are you scared to go into battle?" I had mixed feelings about heading into it leading a hundred soldiers to look in deaths eyes and decide whether they going to fall into the arms of him or escape him and wait to find him till another day.

"Everybody's scared."

"Yea, but am I even really scared?" I lived my life in fear. After my mom died everything in me had changed. I kept a straight face and didn't let anybody see how I actually felt about anything. It was all I knew after death had struck me.

"It's ok to be scared. You keep a tough skin but sometimes things crawl under it. Don't let it get you down." Henry gives me a hug as I find comfort in his words.