-Are you serious?! After everything, I'm getting kicked out?!-I asked him as I sat in bed. My ribs made their little drama right away. The pain was annoying but nothing I couldn't stand.
-Jones, slow down! All I'm saying is that my superior is gonna look at your medical status.-He explained.-We'll then decide weather you can keep up with your partners or not.
-I can! I could go out there today!-I got up.
-Sit back down, Jones. It doesn't matter. He's not gonna see you. He doesn't even know who you are!
-Then I'm gonna make him know me. I didn't come here, got my ass beaten up just to get sent home! Oh, hell no!-I started putting on my uniform.
-Sit back down, Jones! And that's an order!-He demanded. I didn't fight him. I put on my pants and sat down. Then I kept putting on my boots.-The best you can do is stay here and wait. Imagine he says you can stay, the more you rest now the better you'll feel!
-I'm sorry, Sarg., but no. I'm fine. With all due respect, I'm gonna ignore you now.-I grabbed the green jacket and left the infirmary.
Not too far, I found my squad. They were getting in the jeep. Camping. Great! I ran to them. There was some soldier there teaching them how to pack the backpacks. As I got closer, I noticed it was the Sarg.'s helper. He looked at me surprised.
-Jones. What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be resting?-He asked me, as I walked up to him. He then handed me one empty backpack and some supplies.
-I'll rest when I'm dead. Got plenty of time...-I smiled and headed to my squad. In the back, Samuel was losing his temper over a bag of dog food, which they call human ration or whatever, that was refusing to go inside his bag. He didn't even see me.-So aggressive, Sammy!-I whispered, jokingly. He looked at me and smiled.
-Good to see you again, Ellie.-He then observed my bruises and his smile kinda faded.
-It's Jones for you.-I punched him softly. He kept staring at my bruises.-Dude! Are you gonna show me how to do this or...?
-Sure!-He brushed it off and started helping me.
I started feeling my body giving out even before getting to work. There were certain moves I just couldn't do without feeling this sharp pain piercing my bones. Samuel noticed it right away. As I was about to grab this knife from the floor to put it in my boot, as I bend down, my ribs started screaming. He stopped me right away and grabbed the knife for me.
-I got it...-He whispered to me and shoved it in my boot, discreetly.
-Thanks, man.-I smiled and grabbed my backpack which was finally ready. That shit was heavy as fuck! It should be about 10kg in my back. Oh man, just picking it up demanded so much out of me. It ain't easy to hide out that kind of pain. It literally feels like someone is piercing your bones with a corkscrew!
-Can't help you with that, Ellie...-Samuel whispered as he picked his bag up, easily. Sarg.'s helper was screaming at us to hurry up and I was literally struggling to get it off of the ground.
-Dammit, Jones!-He screamed.-What the fuck?! Hurry up!!
-Yes, sir.-I kept trying but it was getting harder every time.
-Fuck it...-Samuel went behind me and helped me with it, giving it a discreet boost up. It did help out with my ribs but as the strap fell upon my right shoulder my bones turned under my skin! I opened my eyes a lot but kept my mouth shut. I was starting to regret not staying at the infirmary.
-MOVE IT!! IN THE TRUCK NOW!-Sergeant screamed. He was back and he wasn't happy at all. We all did as he said as fast as possible. He was standing in the back, looking at me. I knew he was gonna put up his game again. I could see it in his eyes. As I was about to step inside the truck, he pushed me back with his hand on my right shoulder. I wanted to scream my lungs out, but instead I just clenched my fists.-You sure, Jones? Once you're outside there's no docs until you get back!-I didn't answer him. I just got inside the truck.-JONES! I didn't hear it!
-Yes, sir!-I screamed and sat down. Samuel sat by my side. I was gonna remove the strap that was hurting me but he stopped me.
-Wait... Let them go before you do that...-He whispered. I smiled and sat still.
-What was it she called him?-Sarg. said. I knew he was talking about me. I was the only woman in my squad.-"Sammy"-He laughed.-Sit here, Sammy. I'll take your place during this trip.
Sam got up and Sergeant sat besides me. I knew he was gonna push my buttons the whole trip but most of all, he had caught the friendship between me and Samuel. He was gonna throw all the dynamite he could find at us. I knew him well enough to know he was gonna put up his best moves, expecting us to crash. My eyes caught Samuel's. He smiled with those beautiful lips, eyes shining as if he was telling me to hold on tight.
Nobody ever said you need friends to live. You really don't... But your life won't be worth living. There's nothing like having a shoulder to hold on to when your knees grow weaker, nothing like a confidential look between two souls and no words were spoken but it's not like they were needed at all! There's nothing like having someone by your side, showing you loyalty and love even when you don't deserve it at all. I didn't know what's like to have a real friend until I met my squad.
YOU ARE READING
Army Strong
Teen FictionI was never meant to be a stay at home kind of wife. I was never meant to simply get a job, pay bills and die. I was 19, looking for a purpose. I was just another kid who had finished school but soon found out the whole sea of opportunities they tel...
