My PoV
Humming softly to myself, I carefully ran the cleaning cloth over the worn metal of my M1911 pistol, meticulously ensuring every component was in perfect working order. The rhythmic motions were soothing, a familiar routine that connected me to my past life - a life I had left behind, yet could never fully forget.
As I focused on my task, I noticed Emily's curious gaze fixated on me from across the room. Her eyes held a mixture of confusion and intrigue, but thankfully she held her tongue, allowing me the space to collect my thoughts.
Finishing my work, I gently placed the pistol back on the rack next to my bed, the metal gleaming in the dorm room's soft light. Turning to Emily, I saw the unspoken question lingering in her expression. "Say, Alex..." she began, her voice tentative. "Yes, Enty?" I froze for second as the word slipped out. Luckily Emily seemed to be confused but didn't mention it. "What's America?"
The mention of that name caused a pang in my chest. America... the very word evoked memories of a life I had once known, a world I had been forced to leave behind. For a moment, I was lost in the bittersweet recollections - the bustling streets of my hometown, the smell of freshly brewed coffee, the laughter of friends and family.
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I met Emily's gaze, my eyes distant yet sincere. "It's... it's my home," I murmured, the words barely above a whisper. "Or at least, it was." I paused, trying to find the right words to convey the weight of my history, the complex emotions that still lingered. "It's an distant, old memory now - a place I once knew, a life I once lived. But things change, and sometimes we have to leave the past behind, whether we want to or not."
Emily nodded slowly, her brow furrowed in contemplation. She seemed to sense the depth of my words, the sorrow and longing that underscored them. Yet, she wisely chose not to press the matter further, understanding that some wounds were best left unprobed.
In the silence that followed, I found myself lost in the echoes of my former life, the echoes that still reverberated within me, a constant reminder of the path I had chosen - or, perhaps, the path that had been chosen for me. But in this moment, with Emily's silent support, I allowed myself to find solace in the familiarity of the M1911, a tangible connection to the past that had shaped me, for better or for worse.
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As I sat there, lost in the echoes of my past, I felt Emily's gaze upon me, her eyes filled with a mix of curiosity and understanding. Though I had opened up more to this team than I had to anyone in a long time, there were still so many parts of my story that I kept guarded, tucked away behind a curtain of uncertainty and unresolved grief.
"America, huh?" Emma's voice suddenly broke the silence, her usual playful lilt tinged with a hint of seriousness. "Sounds like an interesting place. Shame it's just a distant memory for you now, luv."
I turned to face her, offering a small, rueful smile. "That it is, Emma. That it is."
Yui, ever the peacemaker, reached across the divide between our beds and gave my hand a gentle squeeze. "Well, wherever you're from, Alex, I'm just glad you're here with us now. Team AYYE wouldn't be the same without you."
Her words warmed my heart, and I found myself nodding in agreement. "Thanks, Yui. That means more to me than you know."
Before our conversation could continue, the sharp trill of the Beacon dorm room alarm signaled that it was time to head to our first class of the day, Combat Training with Professor Goodwitch.
As we gathered our gear and made our way through the bustling halls of the academy, I couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement. While the memories of my past life still weighed heavily on my mind, the prospect of honing my skills in battle was a welcome distraction.
