Lost Cause.

CHAPTER ONE: Camp Toccoa.

My whole life I've been a lost cause. Well, maybe not my whole life. My childhood, let's say when I was 5-8 years old, was probably the best years of my life. In most families, the middle child seems to be the "problem child" while the youngest is the "golden child". That wasn't the deal in my house. I had always been the "problem child". I always never seemed to be perfect enough for my parents. They loved me, but they just showed it to me in different ways than how they did to my other siblings. I used to brush it off, but as I got older it hurt me and according to my mom I became "rebellious". So she decided to send me to a lovely boarding school hours away from home when I was only 14. I was okay with it at first, but when Bill found out it hit me like a train speeding 1000 miles at me.

During my first year at that place, I snuck out after bedtime and wandered the streets. I somehow ended up in some sort of Marine training camp. Of course, the younger me was curious so I found my way in and eventually got caught, but they let me go easy and allowed me to train with them if I was interested. I of course agreed and showed up the next day. Then the next. And next. That lasted until now. I started there in 1937 and left in August 1942. And now I'm in blazing hot Georgia. Camp Toccoa to be exact. My twin brother, Bill Guarnere, is here apparently and I have yet to see him. Oh, the look on his face will be priceless.

I've already talked to Colonel Sink about everything. He said if the lieutenants didn't think I was good enough to train, I'd be sent back to Philadelphia. He loves the idea of having me as a paratrooper, but it depends on if I'm ready for battle. I already told myself if it doesn't work out here I'll either become a nurse or join the Marines. I just really hope I'm good enough here.

——

"Miss Guarnere?" A voice said to me.

I stopped writing and looked up to see a tall redhead looking down at me, "Yes?"

"I'm lieutenant Winters. Colonel Sink has asked me to show you around Toccoa." The lieutenant informed me.

While shutting my journal I sent him a warm smile, "Oh of course. Please call me Aurora, sir. Miss Guarnere feels too formal for me."

"Alright, I will, " He smiled at me, "You can call me Richard or Dick then."

I stood up and nodded, "Hm that seems fair I suppose."

Richard sent a small smile before taking my trunk off the ground. We walked in silence for a few minutes. Not much was around. Some were training outside, some were smoking outside, and some were entering a building that looked like a mess hall.

Richard glanced at me, "Any open field is used for physical activity when we're not using the obstacle course. Over there across the way is the mess hall where breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served."

"Oh how fancy. You guys serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Wonder if you guys will satisfy my Italian tastebuds."

Again he chuckled, "You're definitely a Guarnere. Are you older or younger than him?"

"Younger. We're actually twins," I held back a laugh at the look he gave me, "surprising I know. I'm sure dear William never brought that up, eh?"

Richard shook his head, "Never. He's not one to talk about family. Or so what I've heard."

"Huh, that's shocking. He has had to tell someone with his big mouth." I pulled out a cigarette from my pocket, "Want one?"

He shook his head, "No thank you, I don't smoke."

"Don't smoke eh? How do you get through the day with all these men." I inhaled the smoke as we stopped outside the mess hall.

Richard shrugged, "I have my ways."