Spitfire | Top Gun: Maverick

chapter 1

"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on" - Robert Frost

Chapter 1: A guide on how to run from the mess you made

Letting out a sigh of relief as the last cardboard box slides out of her hand, she steps over the seemingly thousand others and gravitate towards the open back door. A small breeze drifts through the air, the scent of salt and ocean washing over her as she walks outside onto the wooden porch overlooking the moonlight lit beach.

She walks forward and rests her elbows on the balcony, lost memories floating through her head and breaking through the thick wall that she built around her thoughts, like a tsunami rushing through a city.

"Come on Apollo give it back!" A 13 year old Spitfire holds her hand out expectantly and gives her bestfriend a pointed look. He gives her a grin and moves back while opening the leather-bound book, reading out the first line in a high pitched voice, "dear diary the cute brunette boy from down the roa-" but before he can finish, the breath from his lungs is knocked out as the redhaired girl tries to push him down onto the ground.

"You're going to have to try harder than that you little spitfire!" He laughs while throwing the book back at her. "And to be fair, I've already read through the whole thing so tell me little sister, who's this boy you've been obsessed with lately?" She gives him a glare while putting the book back under her pillow, "of course you already have," she rolls her eyes at him and storms out of the room, ramming her non-related brother in the shoulder while deciding to ignore his question.

"Oh come on lil sis, you can't be mad at me for being concerned," he follows her out of the door and his eyes go wide, with a concerned look he whispers, "what if he gives you cooties? Or worse, rabies?"

"Ha ha ha, you're so funny A, you should be awarded comedian of the year," she says mockingly while walking into the kitchen, her back still turned to Apollo. Opening the cabinet closest to her she peers inside, seemingly looking for something and after a few seconds, pulls out a box of pancake mix.

The memory fades like a reflection in disturbed water as her phone's ringtone cuts through the silence, the voice of Chuck Berry singing Johnny B Goode blasts through the speakers. That can only be one person she grins and rushes to her phone.

"Hey Dad!" she rushes out as she presses the answer button, happiness radiating from her and the smile on her face growing bigger. "Hey snowflake, how's my girl doing?" her dad's strained voice heard through the connection and her smile drops slightly, "It's going good on this side, I just finished unloading all the boxes, might just go on a run later to clear my head... hey Dad?" she pauses uncertain of asking, "are you okay?"

"I'm always good kid, always." That's all he ever responds with, "now tell me what's on your mind," he asks after a while, both of them deep in thought – one knowing her father is trying to seem strong and the second not knowing how to break the news to his daughter.

"Just the past I suppose," she takes a deliberate breath, "I'm scared Dad," her voice turns vulnerable and her eyes slowly turn red as tears caress the corner of her eyes, "after what happened with Apollo I don't know if I'm ready..." she stops herself, unable to get the words out.

"Snowflake," he takes a deep breath, "know that it's okay if today all you did was hold yourself together. I'm proud of you no matter what happens." He starts coughing violently before getting his breath back, his voice even more strained, "you need to let go of the past and forgive yourself."

The tears that were so close to the surface come rushing down like floodgates opening up and she puts her hand over her mouth to muffle the sobs desperately trying to escape. She manages out a "love you Dad," and puts the phone down, pressing the end call button. She slides to the floor and gasps for breath as she chokes on her own raw sobs.