Home Away From Home

Chapter 5

When they got to the military sign up, it was packed.

"Wow. I didn't expect it to be this packed." Nick said.

"This is the military, Nick. It increases every day." Sally said.

"Do you think they'll have room for me?"

"Of course they will." Valerie jumped in. She tried to sound as supportive as possible for his sake. She hoped that there would be no room, even though she knows that's wrong. Nick smiled and walked on the line. Sally and Valerie were watching him like hawks. This is the day, Valerie thought. Soon enough, Nick will be leaving for the military. When they called "Next", Nick jumped up a little and walked to the desk.

"Nick Conan." He said. The military officer nodded.

"Sign here." Nick picked up the pen. His hands were shaking; he put the pen on the paper and signed his name. "Now take this application and fill it out. When you're finished with it, bring it to that station," He pointed to one of the tables. "They'll take it and explain the rest to you."

"Thank you." The officer nodded and Nick walked back to Sally and Valerie.

"Well?" Valerie asked.

"I have to fill out this application." Nick said holding up the packet of questions.

"Do you need help with it, sweetie?" Sally asked.

"No, it's okay mom. I'll do it myself. Let's just go sit on those chairs." Sally and Valerie nodded and they all walked to the chairs. When they sat down, Nick took out a pen and started with his application. 10 minutes later and Nick finished his application. "Finished." Nick whispered which still got Sally and Valerie to pick up their heads. "I'm going to head to the next station."

"Do you want me to come with you?" Valerie asked.

"No, it's okay. I want to go myself." Nick said as he got up. Valerie nodded and turned her head to Sally.

"I hope everything will be okay." Valerie said when she knew Nick couldn't hear anymore.

"This is Nick we're talking about. He's always okay." Sally said.

Nick walked up the station and said his name.

"Right. Nick Conan. Now, do you have your application?" Another officer asked.

"Yeah." Nick responded as he handed it to him. "Um, the other officer said you'll explain everything to me?"

"That's right. Now your application is filled, only thing left is to wait."

"For what exactly?"

"You thought this would be easy? It's not."

"I know."

"We have your application, so now you have to meet the military requirements. We will call you back and you will meet all the requirements at the Military Entrance Processing station. After that, you will get a letter stating your acceptance. You will then come back here with your belongings and you will be given a uniform. After you've dressed, you'll give your belongings in. Then you'll say goodbye to your family and friends, then go on the plane and the rest will be explained there."

"When do we get to see our family and friends?"

"That's on behalf of your captain."

"Well, thank you."

"Good luck, Nick."

"Thanks." Nick walked away. When he reached Sally and Valerie, they stood up.

"Well?" Sally asked.

"Now we wait." Nick said. Valerie nodded, but Nick noticed the sadness in her eyes. Soon enough, hopefully, they'll be standing here again, but this time saying goodbye. Valerie was scared. She wanted to support Nick, but she didn't want that day to come, when she has to say goodbye. "C'mon, let's go home."

2 weeks later

The past two weeks, while Nick was meeting the requirements, Valerie and Nick did not leave each other's side. Everywhere they went, every step they took, they were together. Not once did they bring up the military. Nick knew if they would, it would mean talking about saying goodbye. Then the day finally came. Nick walked out to the mailbox and found a pack of letters.

"Bills. Bills. For mom. Mom. Bills. Nick Conan." He said as he read the letters. His eyes popped when he saw his name. He gulped and opened it, slowly. "From the department of the U.S. Military. Dear Nick Conan, we would like to congratulate you. You have been accepted..." It read. Nick didn't have to read the rest. He ran inside with his hand gripped on the letter, tightly. "MOM!" He ran inside the house looking left and right for Sally. "MOM!"

"In here!" Sally yelled. Nick ran inside the kitchen.

"MOM!"

"What?"

"I-I got accepted!"

"What did you just say?" Sally dropped the spoon and her jaw dropped.

"I'm in, mom. I'm going to the army." Tears were going down Sally's face.

"I'm so proud of you." She walked up to him and pulled him into a hug.

"Why are you crying?"

"Because I'm proud of you." Nick picked up his arms and hugged his mom tighter.

"I love you, mom." He whispered in her ear. Sally let go of her son.

"I love you too. Now go tell Valerie." Nick nodded and ran to Valerie's house. He tried opening the door, but it was locked. He knocked hard on the door.

"VALERIE!" He yelled. Valerie opened the door in her pajamas.

"Yes?"

"I got in!"

"Where?"

"The army!"

"What?" Tears formed in her eyes.

"I-I got in." He grabbed her hand and pulled her into his chest.

"I'm so proud of you."

"Really?" He felt her tears in his shirt.

"Of course I am. You're my best friend." He tensed up on that word. He knew he wanted to be more than best friends.

"You're coming today, right?"

"You're leaving today?"

"It says boot camp starts today." Tears were coming down faster. She held onto him tighter, not wanting to let go. He tightened his arms around her waist.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world."

"Good. Let's go."

"Where?"

"My house."

"I'm still in my pajamas."

"Then go change. Hurry up." Valerie nodded, but she still didn't let go. "I don't want to let go either. But we have to." Nick forcefully let go of the hug and Valerie ran upstairs to change. Today's the day, Valerie thought. Today's the day I will say goodbye to the love of my life. She was happy that Nick was getting what he wanted, but she wasn't getting what she wanted. A tear came down her face and she wiped it as she walked downstairs. To her surprise, Nick was there where she left him, waiting. "Come on." Nick grabbed her hand and ran to his house.