Army Strong

2) Good things always come to an end

After that day, me and Steve kept touch. I started to really like him. He was straight honest with me from the beginning. I guess I don't have anyone to blame but myself. He said with every letter that he wasn't planning on getting a girlfriend any time soon. For some reason, I thought I'd be the one changing his playboy mind... But I didn't. He changed mine.

We'd always set our dates on the same place. First the bar near his base and then my house. I was so blind by love that I didn't even see that to him, it was just sex. Now, he wouldn't have fooled me but I was young and stupid and he was a soldier who knew how to play the game. He'd say all the words I wanted to hear but he'd only say them because after those pretty lies he'd get laid. For a whole year I was too blind to see... To damn stupid! Everybody knew what he was up to and I can't tell how many times I was warned about him but it didn't matter because all he had to do was look me in the eyes and I was his again.

One day, as we were texting, even though he'd take AGES to answer back, he told me he was on the bar with his friends. I wanted to make him a surprise... I wanted to be with him and kiss him but he was too busy kissing someone else. My heart exploded inside my own chest. He said it wasn't what it seemed, he said he was drunk, he said she forced him. He used every single fucking excuse I know but it was over before it even started.

It broke my heart. It really broke my damn heart! I became so cold nothing would trigger an emotion on me. It was killing me! I felt like I couldn't breathe right, like the weight of my innocence was pushing me down! I felt like trash until I blew up.

One night, I had a really bad breakdown. It was raining and I was just running, trying to escape myself, trying to escape my mind! I didn't stop until I was on my knees hyperventilating, crying. And what happened next is the reason why I believe there's something out there looking for all of us. When I raised my head to see where the hell I was, I saw the majestic quarter, standing tall, silently hiding in the shadows of the night. It all made sense in my head. I needed a distraction so I could get over that bastard and it would give me such a pleasure to beat him at his own game!

On my way back home, my mind was flying at 1000miles per hour. I was nervous, I was excited, I couldn't wait. And in the next day, I signed myself up. I really had no idea what the hell I was getting myself into! But I couldn't wait to defy myself, to push myself to the edge, to see how strong could I be when I had no other option but to be strong.

I didn't have much time to train myself but I made it! I barely did but what matters is I got in! Before I could even process everything, I was dressing the green uniform... And I looked badass as fuck!

We were all outside, standing in line. It was 5am in the morning but none of us had slept anything on the previous day and none of us was slightly tired. The adrenaline was kicking in like a bitch! In the distance, we saw some soldier approaching us. He was our instructor. He was tall and strong. His arm was as big as two of my legs. He seemed to be in his 40's. Blue eyes, dark hair with some whiteys showing up.

-So, y'all my bitches?-He screamed still a bit far from us. He then walked up to us and stopped right in some boy's face.-What's your name?-He asked him

-Brandon.-He answered, with his voice shaking.

-Hi, Brandon!-He smiled a lot. The boy was so lost he had no idea what to do. All of a sudden, the soldier got serious again.-Bye, Brandon. You're out!

-What?! Why?!-The boy asked.

-Because whenever I speak to you you don't answer like you're talking with your friends! My name is Brandon, sir! That's what you should've said! GET THE FUCK OUT!-He screamed, grabbed the boy's arm and pushed him away from us. My eyes were so open I thought they would jump off of my face! Man, I started regretting joining the army right there.-Who's next!?-He looked at us. As his eyes met with mine, I looked down. That was my demise.-YOU!-He said, pushing the others out of the way and stopping right in my face.-What's your name, bitch?-I clenched my fists but kept my mouth shut for a while, trying to cool down before I got myself kicked out.

-Jones. Ellie Jones, sir.-I said, still looking down.

-Ellie?-He laughed.-That's a fucked up name!-He turned his back on me and walked away, standing in front of us.-My name is Sargent James. You can and you will just call me sir. I'll be the one turning you into real men.-His eyes met with mine again. I looked down once more.-And whatever you wanna be, miss Ellie.-I took a deep breath.-Welcome to our Quarter. I should be showing you all around... But I don't like bullshit. EVERYBODY ON THE GROUND NOW!-He screamed and pushed this boy down. We all did as he said.-Stay on your hands and feet. NOW!-He screamed once more. We all did, getting into plank position.-Nice...-He grabbed a chair and sat down. He then pulled out a newspaper from his pocket and started reading it.-Whoever dares to let any other part of your body touch the ground is out. Good luck.

Man, I swear time never passed so slowly. After 1 minute, I was already aching all over. He hadn't even turned one page. How the hell was I supposed to hold it for god knows how long? I was regretting that decision so much...

After a little while, he looked up to us. I wasn't in plank anymore. I just couldn't anymore. My hands and feet were on the floor but I was just bending down. It was either that or falling on the ground.

-Cheater!-The guys behind me whispered.

-Yeah, fuck you too!-I whispered back.

The Sargent was just staring at us. I think about 5 people ended up losing it. I kept changing from bending down to plank and when I couldn't anymore, back to bending down. He then got up.

-That's enough...-He kicked his chair. We all got up. I was so exhausted already I could only think about giving up.-FUCK MY LIFE!-He screamed.-DUMB BITCHES EVERYWHERE! What the fuck are you all doing here?!-He then got in my face.-You think you're a smartass?! You think you're better than the others?!

-No, sir.-I answered, trying to hold my tongue down. He pushed me, strongly. My legs failed me. They were already shaking. I hit the ground hard. Oh man...

-But you were today.-I was laying flat on the floor but as he said those words, I raised my head to look at him at light speed.-Get back up!-He turned his back on me. I did as he said. He stood in front of the whole squad.-I said hands and feet. I never mentioned any exercise or any position, you dumbasses! If you all are trying to finish the course, there's something you need to understand. Muscles don't mean a thing if you head's empty!

I guess after all I wasn't doing as bad as I thought I was. I smiled proudly but his cold look made my insides freeze. I looked down right away and got that smile the hell away from my lips. Inside, I was still popping the firework but on the outside I stood motionless. I didn't want to get my ass kicked on the first day!