Our Old Friend, Death.

Ch.2: First Day Back

The next morning Hadley woke up to her alarm blaring throughout her room. She grumbled as she turned over and reached for her phone and turned the alarm off. Swinging her legs over the bed to the side, she yawns before hoping in the shower. Once she got out, Hadley dressed in spandex and a random shirt, before putting her flight suit on.

Hadley slicked her hair back into a low bun, setting it with gel. Walking down the hall, she grabs a cup of coffee and headed out. She plugged her phone in and 'Stacey' by Quinn filled her car speakers. The girl jammed out to some music before showing up to base and putting her car in park.

Closing the drivers side door, Hadley walks to the back of her car and opens the trunk. Grabbing her duffel bag, she slings it across her shoulder before closing the trunk door and closing it. She made her way through the building to the locker rooms that were shared.

There were a few people already here, not looking too alive. Searching for her name tag that read Raptor, she stopped at the locker and put everything away. Hadley always took a photo with her at all costs, no matter where she went.

The picture was taken when Hadley was only five years old. Perched on her fathers shoulders, the little girls hands rested on his head. Over their heads there was an airplane that flew above them. Wendy got the perfect time, with the plane and the father and daughter duos wide smiles that were almost identical.

Hadley smiled at the memory as she tucked it in in her locker so it would stay. She closed her locker door, grabbing her manual, that she didn't really need. Just like last night, she runs into Jakes chest.

"We've gotta stop meeting like this darlin'." Jake said stepping back to give the girl space.

Hadley chuckled under her breath, "didn't see you there. I'm sorry."

"Don't be, it's just a mistake."

Hadley smile to herself as she made her way over to Javy. When she approached him she giggled at his stance. His head was resting on his locker and arms dangled. "What on heavens earth is wrong with you?" She studied his features for a second, "you didn't go home ten minutes after I did huh?"

"No?" Javy lifted his head up and grabbed his own book before we set off towards the hanger.

"Just like old times." Hadley told herself. Walking into the Hanger, Coyote and Raptor sat at a table with each other.

After being introduced to our instructor we were informed to wait until we were called to go up. I waited on the couch while others were standing around or listening to the radio. The couch dipped as Jake sat beside the girl. Hadley turned her head to him, watching as Jake put one leg on top of the other, planing his right arm on the side of the couch and his left on the top.

"I saw what you did last night." Jake told her, knowing it sounded stalkerish as soon as it came out of his mouth.

"Okay, that doesn't sound creepy. Like at all." Hadley said.

"No, what I mean is I saw you helping the old man in the parking lot." He turned his head to her and meet her bright blue eyes.

"Oh? Watching my every movement now are we Hangman?"

"It was sweet. I don't think I have ever seen someone go out of their way, in the middle of the night, just to make sure a person was alright."

"He was an older man. What was I supposed to do? Leave him to be confused for hours on end? That ain't the way my daddy raised me."

"He raised you right then."

"He can't take all the credit."

"Then who else? Your mom?"