𝗕𝗟𝗢𝗢𝗗 𝗔𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗖𝗞 𝗔𝗦 𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗥 ⚔︎

14

"single file, gentlemen, single file!" sergeant brooks barked. he watched as the navy cadets stormed into the gymnasium hall in a disorderly fashion, some of them almost stumbling over their own feet. "i don't wanna be cleaning up cracked skulls this morning!"

among the crowd, giovanni stalked close behind his bunk-mates with his head down and his hands in his pockets. there were around a hundred or so other young men marching in, all of whom were dressed in their dark green uniforms and lace-up combat boots. their footsteps echoed loudly around the big space as they ascended the wooden stairs at the far end of the gymnasium. sunlight with no warmth in it streamed into the hall from high-up rectangular windows, making it so that the tiny particles of dust seemed to be dancing in the air like fairies.

it had been a month and a half since giovanni had first stepped foot onto the grounds of the united states naval academy in silver bay, minnesota — and since then, he had loathed almost every minute of it. everyday he became closer and closer to packing his bags, handing in his letter of resignation, and catching the next flight back to new york, even if the costellos were still wanting his head on a stick. he needed to get out of this place: it was draining the life out of him.

giovanni lifted his head to glance around the hall. he hadn't even noticed the blackboard on wheels in the middle of the room, as well as the feared lieutenant willis standing beside it, his hands behind his back as he stared each man down. the words 'DIVER TRAINING: LESSON 5' had been written on the board in white chalk. several boxes of equipment were placed on the floor. sergeant brooks impatiently paced around as he waited for the cadets to take their seats on the bleachers. his jaw was set and his nostrils flared in anger.

"he doesn't look happy at all," private taylor murmured, turning his head to speak to giovanni.

giovanni stayed quiet, following him up the rickety wooden stairs to the seats at the back.

after all of them had sat down with their backs straight and their heads forward, the gymnasium fell silent, so silent that if you dropped a pin it could have been heard. lieutenant willis regarded them with hard eyes, not moving or saying a word. he simply stood back and let brooks do all the talking.

"this is not high school!" the sergeant suddenly yelled, going red in the face as he continued pacing. "what the hell kind of an entrance was that?! talking, laughing, waltzing in here like you own the damn place! i expect better — from all of you! you've been here long enough to know how to behave in an assembly!"

the cadets all stayed quiet. some hung their heads, the tips of their ears pinkened with shame.

"do i hear a yes, sir?!"

a low chorus rang throughout the hall. "yes, sir."

sergeant brooks stood still, gazing at the sea of sullen faces before him. "alright— get up and go get changed into your diving gear."

in unison and in silence, the cadets all raised themselves out of their seats and walked back down the bleachers. falling into single file, they walked out of the double doors and down the hallway to the locker rooms.

following glumly behind, giovanni was one of the last to step inside. the door slammed shut behind him and the sounds of male bravado and playful laughter rang around the maze-like space. he walked past rows and rows of metal lockers, glancing at his side as he did so. he watched curiously as a few of the boys whipped each other with towels, their bodies bare and naked, and chased each other around with bundles of clothes in their arms. groans and shouts of dispute soon ensued. he walked to his locker in the corner and fiddled with the lock, keeping his eyes glued to the little numbers on the dial. the cadets' feet squeaked loudly on the dark tiled floor as they ran after each other — a few got pushed, falling down and gripping onto the wooden benches for balance — the muscles in their backs and shoulders curving in a caricature of ways, like a contortionist or a contemporary dancer, damp hair and slippery skin.