The Military Brat

The Military Brat [2]

"Where have you been young lady, and what the hell are you wearing?" Dad's voice was a deadly quiet, which was even more terrifying than when he yelled. I looked down at the alcohol-stained dress I'd ruined. It was a black dress, with a flouncy skirt going to mid-thigh, it had a sweetheart neckline but was covered by lace long sleeves, and it had a back that plunged to the small of my back. Wendy had made me wear red death traps on my feet, and I could feel several blisters forming. My hair had been curled and my makeup was a dark dramatic smokey eye and red lips.

"I, uh" I stammered, rubbing one of my arms and biting my lip nervously.

"A little dressed up for Mandy's Burger joint aren't we?"

"About that." I began, about to spill.

"You lied to me." Dad said firmly, his light blue eyes, that I shared, flaming with anger. If it was one thing my father didn't tolerate it was lying, and ketchup on your mac'n'cheese, but that's just wrong.

"Avery Jasmine Berkley, you lied to me that you, Wendy, and Joey were going down the street for burgers, when you really got dressed up like a stripper and went to some club where you could have been raped, taken advantage of, or stupidly drunk and gotten into something dumb! I will not tolerate this behavior young lady!" He bellowed, probably waking up the entire base.

I cringed at the full name and felt anger boil up inside me. "Dad! I'm not a baby anymore! I didn't even drink okay! Wendy and Joey only brought me along so I could be the DD, I had to leave them there because you wanted me home at 10!"

"Why did you even agree to going with them in the first place! Oh, I'm gonna have a talk with Aarons and St. Claire about their children's behavior, but for now we have a new problem on our hands, what to do with you." His voice had quieted, but it still was laced with venom. I remained silent, not wanting to provoke the beast. "You're grounded until further notice, give me your phone and laptop, further punishment will be decided in the morning."

I hung my head, "Yes sir." I grabbed my electronics and handed them to him, he put them in a cabinet and locked it with a padlock, the man didn't mess around.

"Now go to bed." His face and voice softened a bit, he kissed my forehead, "I love you baby, no matter what you do." I didn't hug him, not wanting him to get stained with alcohol, but I said 'I love you too.' grabbed my PJs, took a shower to get the scent off me, and went to bed.

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"You're sending me away!?" I cried the next morning. My dad had sat me down after breakfast in the mess hall and told me that I'd be going to some rich, snobby, boarding school in Austin, "This is my punishment?"

"You need some time away from the base, the only kids your age are Wendy Aarons and Joey St. Claire, and they aren't good influences on you. You need to make some friends with people your own age, who like you for you and don't just use you as a ride from one club to the next. Plus, it's time you had time from the base on your own, and to not be around big sweaty men all the time." Dad rationalized, I felt sick to my stomach and was about to start crying in seconds. I'd never lived anywhere but a base with my dad, now he expected me to go to a fancy boarding school where I'd never fit in and make friends.

"Plus, you need a better education than the one the base supplies. You'll do fine baby." He reassured.

A lump form in my throat. "I don't want to leave you."

He chuckled, "Avery, you've been looking forward to leave the base and go to college for forever now, what's so different about this?"

"Well, look at me dad! I'm not exactly preppy, snobby, boarding school material here!" I exclaimed, motioning to the pair of jean shorts, ratty old t-shirt, and cheap flip flops I was wearing.

"Red Valley Academy may be a little prestigious, but you'll do great, I have complete faith in you, you're a smart, beautiful girl that needs to put herself out there a little more."

"When did you become a woman psychologist?" I asked sarcastically, crossing my arms and glaring at him.

He let out a booming laugh and ruffled my hair as he got up, "You're going to RV Prep, whether you like or not." He left, briskly walking out of the mess hall and into the muggy air.

"I don't want to go to a school named after a giant, smelly vehicle people take camping!" I shouted after him.

This was crazy, was this all because of last night or was there something else behind it? I wasn't sure, but going to some stuck-up, prissy pant's boarding school, that probably was really expensive, wasn't on my bucket list. Yeah, I dreamt of going to college, but I wanted to spend my senior year with dad, have him walk me to the base learning center, embarrass me by chaperoning prom but then having a sweet slow dance that would make me forgive him, and graduation... He would of course never miss it, but it wouldn't be the same not having him around all the time.

I sighed and walked out into the already hot morning sunshine, the day was bright and clear, no clouds to be seen, but of course hot as hell. The recruits had been up since the crack of dawn, doing exercises to the point of exhaustion. I was really going to miss Fort Connli, it was the base that felt most like home to me. The barracks, and the mess hall, Ellie the Lunch Lady and her mystery meatloaf. This was the place where dad taught me to drive the F-47 tank after I'd gotten my driver's license, now, I was going to be leaving.

Letting one, lone tear fall down my cheek, I went to my quarters to go pack.

*****Hi everyone! So here's chapter 2! I hope you enjoyed it! We got to know Avery a little more, and explored her and her dad's relationship. Her dad's just a big softie with a tough exterior, and I feel like she's the same way. Can anyone guess why her middle name is Jasmine? It has to deal with something in the book, someone actually. I'm super excited for this book, I feel like it's a winner.

Anyone else psyched for Christmas? I know I am! I'm so done with High School right now, just ugh.

Anyway, if you enjoyed this chapter, make sure to vote and comment to make Emma Happy! Whoo!