My Soldier// Ziam//boyxboy

2

LIAM'S POV

"yes....love you too.... mom don't cry..... my five minutes is almost up I.... yes.... okay i love you bye" I say exasperated.I hang up breathing deeply.

It's the first phone call I've made in weeks.

See in high school I heard that making phone calls home could damage me and distract me in bootcamp but it's been 6 weeks and I just had to hear my mother's voice again.

I look over to the phone booth next to me to see Private Malik.

Private Malik is... Well he's literally private. He barely utters a word to me and even though it's sort of nice to have some silence while everyone else is yelling at you or at each other it's a bit depressing, I mean I've been bunking with this guy for 6 whole weeks and i don't know a single thing about him except his MOS which I find very interesting.

He seems like the movie type Infantryman... all mysterious and quiet. Sharp piercing eyes and fit physique, he's sorta dreamy... in a non weird way. Seems like he could've been a ladies man when he was in highschool.

I walk over to him and lean on the lamp post beside the booth wanting to give him space but not really being able too seeing as you aren't supposed to leave your battle buddy. I look around to give him privacy so he doesn't think i'm listening but I listen in anyway seeing how his conversation differs from mine.

"Yes mom I'm fine... yes i'm eating..... no i'm not getting bullied.... no... no.... okay..... yes.....yes.... okay..... fine.... no mom i don't wanna come home... mom i promise i'm fine... just dont worry about me okay worry about Saffaa. Listen my five minutes is up so i gotta go. bye." He hangs up and I'm shocked at his almost bored tone.

The only time he showed any emotion in his voice was when he said Saffaa. I wonder who that is, maybe a sister or girlfriend. Maybe even a pet. Whoever it was. They must be special.

He took a deep breathe, still clutching the phone after hanging up and turned to me giving me a small smile. It was a bit endearing and I felt my heart flutter in awe. We start to walk back to our bunks in a comfortable yet tense silence. I've been wanting to talk to him since we got to camp but I'm too nervous. He's just so...intimidating. I'm scared that i'll ask the wrong question and get decked in the face or he'll stare me down for the rest of camp.

As we get back to our bunk I go to my locker to go get my bathroom supplies so I can shower after Malik and we can go to the cafeteria. I set my stuff on the bed and sit down closing my eyes for a little while I wait when I hear a faint mixture of water running and...crying? I sit up and find myself inching towards the door and sure enough I hear weeping.

"Poor kid." I say to myself. He doesn't seem to have much of a relationship with his mother but everyone can get a little homesick. I hear sniffles and the water turns off. I rush back to my bed and lay down as if I wasn't just eavesdropping. I feel as if I should say something but maybe it isn't my place.

The door opens and steam follows Malik as he exits the bathroom and my eyes almost bulged out of their sockets as I see this goddess like human. I tried to avert my eyes but they kept trailing back to his six pack and it made me feel weak. That's why I was staring. Because I was jealous right? I shake my head and grab my toiletries and head towards the bathroom. I glance at his face and notice his eyes looking at the ground still pooled with unshed tears.

I decide to stay in the shower a few minutes longer as I hear more muffled crying. I imagine his face being buried in a pillow like a teenage girl after a breakup. When the crying dies down I turn off the shower and dry myself off then I get dressed for the chow hall. I open the bathroom and see Malik sitting on his bed zoned out. I tap him and he shakes his head a bit but understands and stands up and we head for the door. I go to open the door, the cold metal knob brushes my fingers but then I find myself bringing my hand back to my side and turning around to face Malik. He looks at me questionably and goes to speak but I pull him into a hug. I wrap my arms securely around his waist and he stands there frozen for a second before burying his face in my neck and I soon feel warm tears on my neck. He sniffles a bit and I rub his back soothingly.

" Just a few more weeks Malik. You're doing great" I pull him away by the shoulders and look him in his teary brown eyes. "Hang in there okay?" He shakes his head and I pull him back in rubbing the back of his head slowly before patting him on the back and parting. He collects himself and opens the door, leading us to the cafeteria and I trail behind him, my head swarming in questions and thoughts and I can think is... Wow.