Didn't You Know What It Meant?

Chapter 9

Corin P.O.V

Marching tunes bellowed out the speakers as people assembled into their designated ranks. The Warrant Officers, i.e Bastard and Scott stood right at the front of the two 15 rows on each side of the parade square. Then all the rest of stuck up school went behind Bastard rightly so, while the normal ones like me and Latitia stood behind Scott. I sent a smile towards Latitia who stood next to me at the end of the first row. Scott and me had taught her how to stand to attention and back at ease before she went home yesterday so we were pretty confident it would all be plain sailing today. I noticed Latitia smiling at someone in the back row, thanking her for the cap. Ali? Hmm, I would never of thought she'd have approached Latitia that quickly and made friends with her. I mean, after all, she could only have been in the school for about 20 minutes before we got here.

A loud trumpet sounds before everything goes quiet. The whistle brings us to attention as a group. I watched a Bastard..eh..Brian send a smirk towards Scott before he starts to march out. Haha, marching as if. Scott is way better. I'm filled with so much pride for my best friend as he marches out to salute the C.O, his golden band around his arm bring in the morning sun. And to think he was nervous about making a mistake before. They turn back and join the group once more. The headmaster comes into the middle of the field.

I glare at him. I have to admit though, he is a rather nice guy if I say so myself. But he employs the worst staff possible, like the C.O for one. He's so naive he thinks his staff are completely innocent and run this school properly. Most teachers do but there are still psychos like the C.O who think it's ok to slap women willy nilly. Disgusting pig. 

The headmaster's been rambling on about the new year being a better year. His usual yearly speech. I can see Latitia rolling her eyes slowly and muttering under her breath, most likely obscenities from her experiences yesterday contradicting whatever the headmaster is saying. Sighing, I turn my attention to his words:

'Like I said, this year we are going to be bigger and better. We've got more matches set up, more tasks to complete and new addition to our office staff has kindly offered to set up some work experience for our students in the royal forces itself just before the exams. I want to see as many as possible put their names forward. Also this year, we've got a new sports coach. Your Warrant Officer Brian Dixon. He's promised to pull out the best teams this year, so make him proud. Right, I'm off now. I'll leave you with the C.O and have fun during your P.E examinations'

Well, that was quick. He's even walking away quickly this year. Hmm, maybe something's up, or else, he needs the toilet. Ha, probably the last one. As soon as he's out of ear shot the C.O smiles menacingly. My anger simmers inside as I try not look at the vile creature. I hear his footsteps approaching Bastard. I think that's the only thing me and him have in common. The C.O hates us.

'So, Dixon. Hows the folks? Still on their honeymoon? Last I heard, your father was caught eating some other woman's cat.' I raise my eyebrows. So, Brian's parents were still cheating? I felt sympathy towards the guy as I see his chin jut out slightly. How could the C.O pick on something out of his control? 'No sir. Like I told you last year, their honeymoon ended 17 years ago, Sir'

The C.O sends a glare his way and continues on his 'inspection'. Spotting out a poor fellow who has his hat on squint, he makes him do 20 press ups. 'Don't any of you look away. This is the punishment for daring to disgrace the school's uniform' I force myself to look at the boy, or rather, the ground just below him. I knew the consequences from my first year here of disobeying the C.O.

Suddenly two feet appear before me before they moved to the place next to me. Oh shit. I force myself to keep looking at the boy, a bead of sweat slowly trickling down my spine as I hear the C.O's loud breathing.

'And why aren't you watching?'

'I will not watch a person suffering for no good reason. Nor I will make them suffer humiliation by having to be witnessed in their suffering,' A pause occurs before she speaks again. 'Sir' I could just imagine the smile she sends him. Oh shit, oh fuck. Latitia why'd you have to speak back? Just shut up. Shut up and do what he says? I bite my tongue to stop myself shouting at the C.O to stop and go annoy someone else.

'You will not watch. You think you're better than me that you have the right to tell me you won't do it?'

'No, sir, I did not say I was better. I am his equal, as you are mine. We are all equals in this world are we not? Or this is what your government wants to tells us. Your army invades our country 60 years ago, kills my people and tells us they are fighting for equality. You will not be teaching this in an army school?Sir?'

The boy has finished and stands back up. I relax my gaze back to the front and see the rage crossing the C.O's eyes. 'How dare you speak back you disobedient wretch. I would have thought you would have learned by now that I do not tolerate such defiant actions. You disgust me, cadet'

'Likewise sir.'

I hear the deafening slap before I could even react. There is an audible gasp from everyone, while I slowly grind my teeth together and get a hold of myself. Latitia's face is turned away from me but I can already feel the heat waves emitted from her cheek. That bastard is even worse than I thought.

'Thank you sir. The boy you see, is not going to be talked about now. You have freed him from his humiliation, sir' The quiet voice from Latitia can only be heard by the small group of about 5 around us. The C.O gasps before his hands ball into fists. I bet that's the only time he's met someone so brave. My heart leaps towards her. I have never even met someone so determined, brave and full of life either in my life.

'You...dare...' he hisses before pulling his shoulders back. Latitia smiles coyly back at him. 'You will run 20 laps round this pitch in uniform.' Another audible gasp sends through the crowds. Even I was surprised. It was the first time I heard anyone receiving such a punishment. Latitia's face remains unaffected. 'Sir'

'Let this be a lesson to you all. Do not try be a smart ass' With that the C.O storms away. My hands ball in fury as I turn to Latitia. I pull her chin to make her face as I examine her cheek. Already a bruise was forming on her high cheek bones and I let a snarl escape my lips. 'That disgusting pig' I place my hand gently against it, the heat tens times more than me. 'Lets get you to the nurse-'

'No. Cadet Beaufort does not go anywhere until her punishment is complete' Scott interrupts. I stare in amazement at him. His own mentee. We were now standing in the field alone. Everybody else had been dismissed to go change into their shorts and t-shirts.

'He is correct. So if you will please excuse me,' Her hand tugs my frozen hand off her chin. 'But...' I was too shocked to formulate any words. I just watch that slender figure begin jogging to the boundaries of the huge field to start her 10km jog.

'Scott. She needs her cheek checked out' I begin to argue. I look at Scott. His face is contorted with such worry and fear that I feel so guilty. 'You think I don't know that Corin? But if the C.O doesn't find her here doing that stupid punishment, what do you thinks going to happen?'

I bit my lip. I never thought of that. He was right. Better keep the punishment the way it is, despite the fact it probably couldn't get much worse for her right now. The sun was sweltering already.

'C'mon' I tug on Scott's shirt and we make our way to the changing rooms. God help Latitia. She couldn't get hurt here that was for sure. If I ever see the C.O planning to land a hand on her once more, I swear...

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What did you think? Interesting?? Please please comment, I want to know what you think? I'm hopefully going to start writing some more chapters soon as the summer holidays are on their way soon and I have got so many ideas for this story once more. Just need the time to write it. I want at least 3 comments though before I think about continuing Please :)