Soldier

Chapter 8: Kairi

The past day has just been a dream for me. I had just come to this school a few weeks ago. In search of my lost friend. Well, actually, he is more than a friend to me. When I heard he was here, I just had to find him. I had to tell him how I felt; it was already hurting too much. Especially since... I left him alone at the orphanage we went to together as kids. I had grown up with him, he was all I had.

So I became a nurse and studied for a bit after enrolling in the Academy. I even managed to make a friend. Her name is Nattily. She is a year older than me, once I got here. Nattily being an engineer always has oil on her, and can be a bit difficult at times. Yet I trust her enough, even if she is sarcastic and childish sometimes. I had even told her all about A and our childhood together.

I found him just yesterday too, although it wasn't the happy embrace I thought it would be. But I have to accept it none-the less. I'm only glad to know he's alright. Especially since he could have died, right there in her arms.

It's embarrassing, but I was extremely determined to make him fall for me when I got here. But then, he had kissed me. It surprised me a lot, yet at the same time I loved it. He actually remembered me... after all these years. My heart starts beating out of my chest whenever I think about it. I had waited for so long and now I knows he actually likes me! He was even going to ask me something, something that looked important. I had waited so excitedly for his question... When Nattily, just had, to show up, to pull me away from him. So now, I'm talking small talk with her as we walk through the hallway that lead to one of the other sections of the school.

*Sigh*

Nattily walked gleefully down the hall next to me. She smiled happily at me and, as I knew it was only an eventuality, she started to pester me about Alex. Which I am going to dread.... it was only a matter of time before she found out anyways....

"So he's the future mister Kairi?!" Nattily asked. She laughed to herself, and tried hard not to completely laugh herself to death. My cheeks crimsoned a little...

I can't help but be embarrassed. Gah! I wish she wouldn't do that...

I answered her question smugly.

"So!"

Nattily busted out laughing even more at my response, and almost dropped the gun she held in her hands. That's really mean, Nat... that really is...

Thankfully for her, she stopped herself, and took deep breaths to calm herself down. Thank you for-

Nattily could not help herself and started to laugh again... even harder this time. That's really annoying...

"Why don't you just choke while you're at it!"

Nattily stopped her laughing and looked at me with a blank expression.

"Oh come now, you know I'm just trying to embarrass you."

"You always try to embarrass me."

Nattily rolled her eyes and smiled.

"You know, I think you picked right. He's a good looking guy."

Nattily grinned widely; a sinister thought gleamed from her eyes. Nattily made a cute face and said innocently,

"Although you'd better-"

"We already kissed!! I know he likes me, and I know what you're thinking. But he's mine!!!"

I smirked to myself in success. Wait... d-did I actually just say that out loud...

Nattily grinned as she shook her head in disappointment. She stopped to lean against the wall, and laid the machine gun in her hands against it's solid surface. I stopped a little distanced from her. I want to get back to Alex already...

Nattily giggled to herself.

"Your first kiss huh? That's sweet, but..."

Nattily smiled and shook her head.

"You are way too easy to get information from though."

W-what? You...

I turned red, and glared angrily at Nattily. Why does she always do that! It's no fair...

Nattily continued to tease me further as she stuck out her tongue at me and chanted, "Lover girl!"

Nattily suddenly stopped for an instant, and her smile turned into a frown. She got serious, and leaned back against the wall.

"You know though, I don't think he will ever betray you. From what you've told me I'm sure you two will be happy together."

Huh? Nat... what had that meant... wait..! Nattily grinned, to show off her perfect white teeth.

"Are you sure you two didn't do more... then just a kiss? Or are you still a pure little girl?"

My face feels like a thermometer that was dipped into boiling water. I wish she would just change the subject already! And, No! Er, at least... damn it Natt!

"What did you really drag me off to tell me!!"

Nattily acted offended, rolled her eyes and replied,

"Oh. Guess you're about to explode. Oh well, what I really wanted to do was-I just wanted to tell you some news. I think you'd want to hear it." Nattily sighed, probably bored at the fact she couldn't bug anymore. "And, I didn't drag you off."

No she... did she... I don't think- I just realized that I was the one who lead us off. I don't remember Nattily telling me to follow, or do anything in fact, other than say hello. I just walked past her. I didn't want her to start studying Alex, or start pestering me in front of him. I shook my head in confusion.

I sighed to myself and looked at Nattily.

"What is it then?"

Nattily suddenly looked grim; she slightly stared at the ground and clenched her fist as she frowned.

"It was all over the news, Kairi. It looks like the entire Western Hemisphere has just up and gone rebellion. They're calling it the Gear uprising."

I looked at her stunned. This has to be a joke. I laughed halfheartedly. My hopes pretty high. Nattily crossed her arms in defiance.

"This isn't a joke! Armed resistance was met with the graduated Soldiers from the academy. They managed to push back the rebellion and make a few strongholds, however... we only have been able to fend off attacks, not pull them off. The entire region of what used to be the United States is rebelling. This is now a war. Then the academy is attacked, with no fatalities. To either side it seems. All of it is very unsettling."

I stopped laughing. She's serious... Nattily paused briefly, her face even more disturbed. I suddenly remembered the mauled corpse I had seen in the hallway. How could that possibly not count as a fatality? There were probably more casualties, but why would they say otherwise? They couldn't have just missed that. This makes no sense at all...

Nattily took a deep breath.

"The news doesn't end there Kairi. They've given all the students a few weeks of rest- probably meaning one. They enacted the Academy program; the one where we get our rest then we go off, to war. So I suppose you and your lover get together before it's too late. That's what I wanted to tell you."

War? That's something that should have been rid of a long time ago. I don't even think any of the students are even ready for it... Why, why would they... do that...?

Nattily noticed my distress and smiled.

"Aww, cheer up. Everything's going to be fine. Just go to your boyfriend already. I know that's who you really want to be with right now, besides..." I nodded at her response, and smiled gratefully at her. I thanked her quickly and turned around to run back through the hall. If this is going to be our last days of peace, I want to spend every minute with Alex. I picked up my pace and ran faster down the hall.