Her Choice

Chapter 5

"Nice of you to join Us, Ms. Harley," Mrs. O'Sullivan sneered at me as I walked in the door. She sneered, she actually sneered. Why does she hate me so much? Just cause I wouldn't please her by telling everyone about my personal life? It's probably the 'concept of the thing', the fact that I challenged here authority in front of the entire class.

"O'Sull," I made a long, dramatic sigh just to annoy her, "You're still missing half the class, and we still have 3 minutes until the final bell rings. Calm yourself," I said all this as I was walking to my seat.

"What did you just say to me?" God, what is she, deaf? I'm pretty sure she heard me clearly.

"You have two ears, you heard me," I know that I was probably taking this too far, but what can I say... I'm pissed and I don't do well with authority.

"Just sit down," Mrs. O'Sull sighed. I decided to be smart and not reply, and Mrs. O'Sull smirked. I started daydreaming as soon as the bell rang, and before I knew it, I heard my name being called.

"Teagan Rae," I looked up to see O'Sull with an envelope in her hand, and a boy walking out of the room. "Why on earth would you" she sneered (again) when she said you, "be getting a letter from the Marines?"

No. No no no no no. No. Please God, no. Don't let it be either of them. Please no. I practically leapt from my chair, ran to the front of the room and ripped it out of her hand before tearing the envelope open.

---Dear Teagan Rae,

---I'm so sorry to inform you of this through a letter, however your father asked us to do this, as well as inform your family.

"Teagan Rae," O'Sull snapped at me, "you need to take your seat." I completely ignored her as I furiously read, hoping it wasn't true.

---On August 21, 2013, The United States Marine Corps 43rd Division Platoon Kilo 4 was attacked be enemy fire. They were led unsuspecting into an ambush, and were unable to get away. Colonel Brad Harley and his son Trevor Harley, your father and brother, heroically made a distraction to allow their platoon to get away. They took the bulk of the enemy fire, and unfortunately, they died serving their country, both clutching a picture of their family, your family.

"Teagan Rae," I tore my eyes away from the paper. "I'm not going to tell you again. Sit down."

"Shut. Up." my voice was so low and deadly that she flinched, and actually shut up. There was one paragraph left.

---Teagan Rae, I cannot express how sorry I am. They were not only my soldiers, but Brad and Trevor were my friends. I cannot imagine how you're feeling as a daughter and a sister, but I understand hurting. It has already been declared that the two of the will be receiving the Medal of Honor, posthumously. We would like you to receive it in honor of them, if your up for it. Call me or the boys if you ever need to talk, or text or email. All our contact info is at the bottom.

---I'm so sorry,

---Sincerely,

---General Kirk Morris

---genkmorris@usmc.com

---(425)678-9200

"Teagan Rae" O'Sull was furious, but I really didnt care. My dad and brother were gone... They were never coming home, except in boxes. They were gone for good. ''Principles office. Now!" She picked up the phone to call and let them know I was coming, and I grabbed my stuff and walked out, letter in hand, without saying a word.

"Ms. Harley, please have a seat," the principle, Mr. Libby, told me, not looking too pleased with me. I didn't care right now. I was numb, still trying to comprehend everything. I sat down in the cushy chair, staring blankly at the letter.