The air in the meeting room buzzed with a mix of anticipation and relief as the academy’s top brass officially welcomed Luna as a full student and future police officer. Director Hayes stood at the head of the table, his usual stern demeanor softened by a hint of pride.
“We believe in second chances,” he said, his gaze steady on Luna. “You’ve proven yourself worthy of this opportunity, and I expect great things from you.”
The murmurs of approval from the staff reassured her, but Luna couldn’t shake the knot of anxiety in her stomach. Captain Morales had voiced concerns about her presence, but now it seemed the tide had turned. She felt a flicker of hope as Lieutenant Kade and Officer Davis nodded in agreement.
“Regarding your living situation,” Lieutenant Kade continued, “we’ve decided you can remain in your current dorm for now. However, should there be any further security breaches, we’ll need to move you to a teacher’s residence temporarily.”
Luna nodded, the weight of their trust heavy yet uplifting. As the meeting wrapped up, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of belonging slowly growing within her.
---
Later that evening, Director Hayes invited her over for dinner—a small celebration in honor of her new status. The aroma of sautéed vegetables and seasoned chicken filled the air as she stepped into his modest kitchen, her stomach rumbling at the enticing scents.
“Don’t expect anything too fancy,” he joked, stirring a pot on the stove. “I haven’t gotten my paycheck yet and haven’t been grocery shopping in days.”
Luna laughed, appreciating his candor. “I’m sure whatever you make will be great! I can smell the seasoning from here.”
As they sat down to eat, the conversation flowed easily. They chatted about their favorite TV shows, sharing recommendations and laughing at the absurdities of some plots. For a moment, Luna felt like any other student, her past fading into the background.
“This chicken is actually really good,” she said, taking another bite. “I’d say you’re a better cook than you give yourself credit for.”
Hayes chuckled. “Well, I have to survive somehow! Just don’t tell anyone at the academy; I’d hate to lose my reputation as a tough Director.”
As they finished dinner, Luna felt lighter. She hadn’t expected to connect with him like this, and it made her feel more secure in her new life.
“Thank you for dinner, Director,” she said, a smile breaking across her face. “I really enjoyed it.”
“Anytime, Luna. You’re part of this academy now,” he replied, his expression warm.
---
The next day, Luna received a text from Gerald before heading out to see him.
Gerlad: This haircut, it's been a week and its- It’s horrible. You might need to start a blackmail fund to help me out!
Luna chuckled at the message, shaking her head as she imagined his disheartened expression. She made her way to the common area, searching for him with a playful smile on her face.
When she spotted him, her eyes widened. His hair was a chaotic mess, sticking up in all directions.
“Wow, what happened to your head? Looks worse in person” she teased, grinning widely as she approached him.
Gerald ran a hand through his unruly hair, a sheepish look crossing his face. “I was going for a new style. It’s called... artistic expression?”
Luna laughed, shaking her head. “Artistic expression? You look like you got into a fight with a lawnmower!"
" I told you that picture wouldn’t be enough to blackmail you; I’d need video evidence for that haircut!"
“Hey! It’s not that bad!” he protested, but a smile tugged at his lips. “Besides, I thought you’d appreciate my unique look!”
“If you go to school with that haircut, trust me, it’ll be the talk of the academy,” she said, nudging him playfully. “But don’t worry, nobody’s gonna notice. Right?”
As if on cue, a couple of cadets walked by, their eyes widening in disbelief.
“Whoa, Gerald! What happened to your hair?” one of them exclaimed, laughter bursting from his lips.
Luna shot Gerald an apologetic look as the teasing began, but the sight of his flustered expression brought her an unexpected sense of joy. In this moment of camaraderie, she felt the burdens of her past lift slightly, replaced by the warmth of friendship.
“Alright, fine. Maybe I’ll just wear a hat for the rest of the week,” he sighed, resigned but chuckling.
“Or you could embrace it! After all, it’s just hair. It’ll grow back,” she encouraged, nudging him again.
They continued to joke and tease each other as they made their way through the academy. The familiar feeling of laughter and ease brought a smile to Luna’s face. With each passing day, she was carving out a new identity, one not defined by her past but by the relationships she was building.
Suddenly, Luna stopped and turned serious. “Hey, Gerald?”
“Yeah?”
“I just wanted to say thank you. For being... you. It’s nice to have someone I can just talk to, you know?”
He nodded, his expression softening. “Of course. You’re not just another student to me, Luna. You’ve been through a lot, and it’s good to see you start to find your place here.”
Luna then smirked, "Your such a sap."
Gerlad rolled his eyes at her, "Oh please shut the hell up your the one who started it."
(Heyyy guyss I just really wanted to say thank you so much for the support you guys gave me and I just also wanted to say that I'm gonna start uploading a new chapter every week so stay tuned! Byeee)
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Behind the badge
General Fiction"In the heart of an elite police academy, Luna, a young woman with a dark and troubled past, begins her journey toward redemption. Raised by a criminal organization, she now struggles to balance her loyalty to the people who saved her with the new l...
