Pen Pals

Prologue: T W O

Finn Sinclair

"Sinclair!" Sergeant Baylor called out to me. "Yes Sir!" I shouted back, still in formation. I was training at a military base that offered me a scholarship to train with them before Basic Training. I had just finished a small class they offer for future Air Force called 'Fight or Flight' and was now in our formation line before lunch was to be served. Sergeant Baylor scanned our line before shouting "Fall Out!" letting our troop know it was okay to go. I stay back so Baylor and I can speak privately. "It has come to my attention that you're leavin' early? Is that correct?" "Yes, Sir." I nod as we begin to walk toward the dinning hall. "And why is that?" "Sir, I leave for Basic Training today, I have a sixteen hour bus ride to Tennessee than a four hour bus drive to South Carolina. I mentioned it to you last week." I deadpan. "Oh...That was today?" I internally roll my eyes, there was no getting through to Sergeant Baylor.

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After lunch I say my last goodbyes and run by my cabin to collect my things. I run to the middle of the training ground to salute the flag, it's one of our traditions we were taught. I stopped in front of it and put my bags down and gave my salute. As I grabbed my things I hear footsteps grow louder and louder and they were moving fast. Before I could even turn around I'm tackled to the ground. "Sinclair you heartless ass! You think you can leave without saying goodbye? Well you thought wrong!" Murphy screams into my side. "Dude what the hell, get off me!" I brush him off and start to dust myself. "I'm sorry man I just heard from Rodriguez that you were leaving today and you didn't come say bye to me, your best pal? I'm hurt." He pats his chest, giving me a disappointed look. "Dude your like the brother I always wanted, if I said goodbye that'd mean I was leaving you." He suddenly punches my shoulder using all of his strength. "Jesus, man!" I hold my shoulder in pain. "Let that be a reminder to call me when you get the chance." He walks away and salutes before turning and heading to the dining halls again.

I make my way to the parking lot off of campus where my family is waiting to pick me up. Since I leave today my parents and half brother are taking me to a second lunch.  I get out of the campus gate and cut through the jet runways to get to the parking lot faster. Once I round the corner I see my family standing in front of the car, my mom holding a sign the says 'My Baby Boy!' and she's smiling ear to ear. My father is standing next to her looking around anxiously not yet noticing me. My brother just now spotting me starts clapping his hands slowly and laughing to himself, all of them now walking toward me. My mom starts to run faster causing me to half to drop my things and catch her. 

"I'm so proud of you baby! You look so grown up!" She says teary eyed. My father having to peel her off me so he can hug me too. "You done good boy." he says patting my back. "How's about we get a few burger's before your stuck with that army food again?" He asks smiling. "Sounds good to me dad." I reply walking back to the car. My brother Anderson puts his arm over my shoulders as we continue walking. "You know you look ridiculous right?" He grins. Anderson is only two years older than me but we always hung out together. Well, technically my mom always made him drag me around everywhere. In high school he was the 'popular bad boy player', giving him a reputation that only fed his ego. When I came in freshman year I was expected to have the same reputation but I never saw the point in using nice girls for my benefit. Everyone thought I was an alien because they obviously saw our differences in both personality and looks. Anderson was 6'2 with raven hair and bright blue eyes. He always was at the gym and puberty hit him like a truck, making girls easily swoon. While I on the other hand, was 6'1 with chestnut hair and green eyes. The only thing making us similar being our facial features, a strong jawline and our dad's nose.