Letters From A Soldier

Chapter 4

Lakyn's POV:

I dressed in my formal uniform for graduation. After being away from my family for eleven weeks it's finally coming to an end. I stood with my regiment scanning the crowd as the drill sergeant spoke. It was hard not to smile, because it's all over now. There's no more reveille at 5:00 AM or three inch thick mattresses. They raised the flag and we all saluted it. Once they finished raising it, they introduced the soldier who graduated at the top of their class. Each one stepped forward. "In 3rd battalion 34th regiment, two soldiers tied for the highest score. Taylor French and Lakyn Carter." I stepped forward with Taylor as the drill sergeant continued on. Once everyone was announced the crowd clapped as they pinned a medal on our jackets.

Taylor and I turned and walked back in sync to our spots and spun around again. "You may go greet your soldier as they have now completed Basic Military Training." People swarmed by me and around me until my family hugged me. I broke out of stance and hugged them with a huge smile.

"I'm so proud of you." My dad said punching my shoulder lightly. I picked up Jessie and swung her around in my arms.

"Awe Jessie I missed you." She wiped her eyes and took my hat off of my head revealing my short hair. Mom hugged me and cried. "No crying now. It's alright."

"Camila came." I froze and stared at my mother pondering those two words.

"Really. Where is she?" I asked and mom laughed and pointed at the bleachers.

"She was to scared to come say hi." Jessie gave me my hat and I put it on making my way to the bleachers. They were at the top so I climbed up silently. I unconsciously stood at parade rest waiting for them to stop arguing about going down there. A girl with green eyes finally looked up and stopped the argument.

"No need to go down when I'm already here." I told them with an amused smirk. Camila poked her head from behind the tall Polynesian.

"Hi Lakyn, nice to meet you! I'm Ally." She was the shortest of them all. Like maybe 4'11. She stuck her hand out towards me and I took it and lightly squeezed it.

"The pleasure is mine." I nodded at her and then met the other three. Dinah, Lauren, and Normani. I grabbed Camila and pulled her into a hug.

"Hi Mila." She hesitantly hugged me back. Her arms around my upper abdomen because she was that short. Her head reached my chest.

"Hi Lay." I pulled away and led them down to my parents and sister.

"I'll show you around the dorm." I led them to a building and once inside I took off my hat.

"You cut your hair..." Camila mumbled in sadness. She loved my hair more than anyone. I laughed and apologized before rushing up the steps. I got up and looked behind me to see them a floor down still.

"You don't have to sprint up the god damn steps. I can barely walk up them." My mom scolded making me pout.

"Old habits die hard mom. Anyways follow me." I led them down a hall and walked into the double doors where all the bunks were. "This is where I slept." I showed them my bunk and then my wall locker.

"I don't think I've ever seen you this organized before." My dad said making me roll my eyes and shut the locker.

"Across the hall is the latrine."

"The what now?" Normani asked and I laughed.

"The bathroom." I showed them and they all looked around.

"So, you pissed in front of everybody?" Lauren asked and I nodded. "That's definitely not fun." She mumbled and I shrugged.

"You get used to it. The first week it's awkward but after that it's like... Oh well."

"Can we eat?" Camila asked and I nodded. I looked at her and my heart stopped. She was really beautiful. Dark brown hair and chocolate brown eyes complemented by her skin tone. The way she carried herself out me in a magical trance. In that moment I knew my heart was stolen.