Cadet Carter

Deep Feelings

1 month later, Bradley and the other cadets are still continuing with their mission training to get ready to fight against the Russian Army. Many soldiers from the Base were sent to fight, and some return with wounds and are treated at the Army hospital by Army doctor, Bill Fisher and Army nurse, Nicole Thompson, who is also Chris' wife, and some are killed during the war.

After seeing the wounded and the deceased returning to Base, Bradley felt helpless and wants to put the war between the Americans and Russians to an end. This leads him to pressure and stress, but he doesn't want his commanding officers to see him being weak, including Leanne. So, he kept focusing on his training and continues to get stronger every day.

One late night, after it was lights out, Bradley finishes his late night workout and returning to his room, whilst Leanne arrives to Cadet Unit 4, with an envelope in her hand, and is hoping to run into Bradley during his workout, to deliver the envelope. But she sees him in the hallway of the dorms and quiet calls out for him. "Psst, Carter!", Leanne whispered. "Major.", Bradley replied.

"I see that it's already lights out.", Leanne replied. "Sorry, Major. I was just doing my physical work out, but I don't have the time to do it, due to training, so this is the only time I can do it. Please don't tell Sarge or Cap about this.", Bradley cried.

"Don't worry, I won't tell them. Besides, I've seen doing this for the past month and I didn't say a word to anyone about this, not even my father.", Leanne smiled. "Thank you.", Bradley replied. "Anyways, what are you still doing here? I thought you would be going home by now.", Bradley replied with a confused face.

"I'm actually about to head home, but I have something for you.", Leanne replied, handing him the envelope that she was holding. "A letter from your sister.", Leanne smiled, which surprises Bradley, as he takes the envelope and quickly opens it. Leanne watches as he pulls out the letter inside the envelope and reads it.

Leanne comes into his dorm and closes the door, and watches him read on his bed. Suddenly, Bradley starts crying, as he reads it. "Carter, are you ok?", Leanne asked. But Bradley didn't say a word, as Leanne become concern. "Bradley?", she asked, finally calling him by his first name. Leanne sat on his bed, next to him and reads the letter with him.

Dear Bradley,

I know things between us haven't been great since you dropped out of college. Our relationship used to be loving and caring, and made us inseparable. But since you dropped out of college and start partying, it upsets me, and here's the reason why.

For the past 3 years, I've been bullied at school by many students, because of your lifestyle as a playboy and non-stop partying. Whenever your face appears on the broadcast news, I would be picked on.

The bullying took a massive toll on me, it made me insecure and weak. My confidence and self esteem is shattered. I blame you for ruining and making my life a miserable and depressed, which is I resent and hate you every day.

I even tried to take my own life, due to non-stop bullying, luckily Mom found me after I tried to do so. I was taken to hospital after that and I'm lucky to still be alive. I'm still currently in hospital and is talking to a counsellor.

From that day I realise that with you gone and joining the army, makes me miss you. But I mostly miss you when you used to be loving, caring and protective brother that any sister would want. I regret for resenting you for 3 years and I want us to start over again when you come back home.

Keep fighting and don't give up, as I'll be waiting for you to come back. I love you so much and don't forget that...

Love, Hailey

After reading the letter, Bradley realise that his old lifestyle have almost caused Hailey's life and he breaks down. "I'm sorry, Hailey! I'm so sorry!", Bradley cried, as Leanne comforts him. "Hey, it's alright. She said that she's ok.", Leanne sighed, as she embraces him.

"I'm so sorry, it's just that I had no idea that my lifestyle have affected her life, and I made it worse for her.", Bradley sighed. "You didn't know.", Leanne sighed. "Well, if she should've told me, then I would've stopped before it gets worse!", Bradley cried. "Maybe she was scared.", Leanne sighed.

"You don't know my sister!", Bradley yelled. "You're right, I don't. But you need to accept that the damage is already done, but you have the chance to make things right with Hailey, and you're here, doing it, for your family and yourself!", Leanne yelled.

"You know what? I'm trying so hard to fix things with my family and get ready to fight this war! But I feel like I'm not doing it good enough, Major!", Bradley yelled. "Well, I'm sorry you feel that way, Carter! But all of this negative feelings that you are feeling right now is putting stress and pressure on you!", Leanne yelled.

Bradley gets up from his bed and snaps. "I'm sick of you, bossing me around! Despite that I have feelings for you!", Bradley yelled, admitting his feelings to her. Leanne stood up and faces him. "And I'm sick of you, whining like a little baby right now! Even though I'm starting to fall for you.", Leanne replied. Bradley is surprised that Leanne felt the same way about him, leaving him speechless.

Leanne, who is waiting to get an answer from him, just stood there in silence. Bradley looks at her for a moment, before grabbing her face and kisses her. Leanne is surprised by his kiss and instead of pushing him away, she kisses him back.

This leads them to start taking off their clothes and they made intimate and passionate love. From that moment, Bradley knew that Leanne as the one for him. That same late night, after making love, Leanne quietly wakes up and gets out of bed, whilst Bradley is still asleep.

Still in her underwear, she sat on his desk and looks at his family photo frame, and looks back at Bradley, who is still sleeping. Leanne grabs a blank paper and pen and writes a letter to Bradley, before putting her uniform back on, and leaving the letter, in an envelope, on his night stand. She kisses him goodbye and quietly leaves his room.

The next morning, Bradley wakes up from the bugle wake-up call and turns over to greet Leanne. "Morning...", Bradley replied in a sleepy voice, only to find her not in bed with him. "Leanne?", he asked, until he opens his eyes and sees an envelope on his night stand. He opens the envelope and pulls out Leanne's letter, and reads it.

Bradley,

I'm sorry that I didn't tell you that I was leaving. I didn't wanna wake you up, you looked peaceful when I woke up.

Thanks for tonight, I'm glad it was with you. I hope we can do it again sometimes, but keep it a secret between us, I don't want anyone to find out, including my father.

So please, keep it as a secret...

- Leanne

Bradley smiles at her letter and he puts it in a drawer of his night stand, before getting ready for another morning of mission training.