Echoes of War: A soldier's beginning

2001 - 2004

Freddie Highmore as John.
Age: 16 - 19 [2001-2004]

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It's the graduation of John his school. Aaliyah decided to go to his graduation with her moms. They sit on the chairs that were reserved for them. John is doing his march in with his team as a graduation symbol. After that he gets a special emblem from the school, making it easier for him to get in the army. John is 16 now, making him one of the youngest higher ranked soldiers in the UK. Everyone is clapping for the people that just finished the school, including Aaliyah and her moms. John later, goes to her and hugs her happily.  "Ayla! I missed you!! I can't believe you came!!" John says as he looks at her. "Me too!! I'm so happy for you." Aaliyah says as she looks at him. She gives him a small present. It's a watch that is specially designed for in the military. "Wow! It's lovely, thank you so much!" John says as he looks at the family.

"It was nothing." Ayla says as she smiles brightly. "Where's your parents? I haven't seen them in a while." John sighs as he looks away. "They're not here, I'm not even surprised anymore. They never answered my calls anyway." Aaliyah looks concerned, but also feels sad for him. She can't imagine his parents abandoning him after his choice of joining the army. "Oh, such a shame. They're really missing out. They should feel embarrassed that even a 15 year old girl skipped her school only to be here." John chuckles a bit as he notices something in her bag. "What's that?" Aaliyah notices it too as she gasps a bit. "I saw this in the mall. I think it would really suit you." Aaliyah takes out a bucket hat. "It reminded me of you and I don't know why." John laughs a bit as he looks at the gift.

"I wish I got you something too, you graduated too right?" Aaliyah shakes her head as she laughs a bit. "No, I am graduating end of this year. I already signed for a college." "Really? Which one?" "In London! So I'll be moving here too." John smiles brightly as he hears that, putting on the bucket hat she has given him. "That's great! I managed to get an apartment here as well, maybe you can crash by a few times." Aaliyah nods as she hears her mom calling for her. "Oh, I got to go, bye Johnny!"
"Bye Ayla!"

2002
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Aaliyah is now 16, being on the university of London. She's studying space science there. She hears a knock on the door. She opens it and sees John is there. "John!" Aaliyah says as she gives him a warm hug. "Ayla! I just wanted to check by, I didn't want to miss your first week at the university." Aaliyah nods as she chuckles a bit. "Right, we should go to the lake! I like it there."
A while ago, John and Aaliyah have discovered a lake close by the university. It's their favourite place to hangout now.
"Sure!" John says as he waits for Aaliyah to put on her shoes. They walk to the lake, seeing the wooden floor as usual. They sit down, take off their shoes and put their feet in the water. "Ayla I have a question." John asks now. "What is it?"
"Why do you straighten your hair? I like it more when it's curled." Aaliyah shrugs as he asks the question. "I really wanna look like Beyoncé, she has straight hair and people love her. I think people will like me more with straight hair." John shakes his head, clearly disagreeing. He then drops his shoulders and sighs. "Well... whatever makes you happy." Aaliyah nods as they sigh now, looking at the lake. "So... you have a girlfriend or something?" Aaliyah asks John now. John shakes his head. "No, not yet, do you have a boyfriend?" Aaliyah shakes her head as well. "No, thank god." John chuckles a bit now. "How so?" "Boys ain't shit." Aaliyah says, but she quickly rethinks her quote. "Except for you, but you're the ONLY exception." John gasps as he dramatically falls back. "Oh my god Ayla how could you?!" He says dramatically. He then sneakily puts his hand in the water and gives Aaliyah a splash of water.
"Oh you fat cunt." Aaliyah says as she does the same back. They get up and tease each other a bit, until Aaliyah falls in the water. John immediately stops and tries to look for her in the water. "Ayla? Ayla?! Aaliyah??" Without him noticing, Aaliyah pulls him in the water as well. "Hah! Loser, imagine getting pulled in the water by a girl." Aaliyah says as she sticks her tongue out. "Oh, very funny!" John says as he gets out the water, wringing the water out of his clothes. Aaliyah gets out and does the same. They then walk back to Aaliyah's small apartment. "I got to go again, you can always call me, okay?" Aaliyah nods as she has put on some warm clothes in the meantime. "Okay, be safe Johnny!" John nods as he leaves the apartment.

2004
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"Ayla, I'm getting drafted for my first mission." John is in her apartment again, sighing a bit with worry. Aaliyah nods as she crosses her arms, looking at the floor. "Okay... please stay safe." "I will." John says as he tries to calm her down. He puts on the bucket hat she has given him for his graduation. "I will wear this, as a reminder." Aaliyah nods as she looks away. "Hey, I will come back, I promise! And you know I keep my promises." "Yeah." Aaliyah says concerned. "Okay, I know I can't stop you, so please stay safe, okay?" John nods as he gives her the emblem he got from the graduation. "I will." Aaliyah waves him goodbye. "Goodbye Johnny." "Goodbye Ayla." John says as he leaves...