The Lost Soldier

Becoming Friends Again

After The whole airport debacle Beckett waited outside the school as I signed myself out, I was eighteen I'm a big girl I can do things by myself... mostly, my only weakness is pickle jars. They vex me. I walked outside and Beckett loaded me into the old faded red pick up he loaned out to me while he was gone. He pulled into the McDonalds in town and he ordered a McDouble meal with an extra burger, a salad and two medium chocolate milkshakes. We left the restaurant and drove to the old abandoned clearing that we claimed as our spot when I was 11 and he was 12. He then got out and got a blanket out of the backseat and spread it out on the hood of the old Chevy, he climbed onto the hood and patted the spot next to him. I climbed up and sat next to him he grabbed the brown paper bag and grabbed my salad and handed it to me "here's your rabbit food" I elbowed him in the side "you're a butt you know that?" He gave me his most annoying smirk "you know it!" He snickered and picked up his burger. "Can you have the milkshake?"

"I'm not sure I haven't checked my sugar lately"

"Let me see your pump" I slid closer to him and pulled my shirt up over the pump that was attached to my waist "Reumi your sugar is low, really low, did you even eat anything today?"

That explains the shakiness, boy I'm dumb. "No I haven't, I've been nervous" I mumbled twisting the bottom of my shirt.

"Awe, you were nervous because of little ol' me" he said in a high pitched voice while batting his long eyelashes.

"Stupid" I grumbled and pushed him lightly, I then turned away from him as my cheeks became hot.

"Areum you have to eat. Here" he handed me the chocolate milkshake. I took a sip and sighed as the sweet icy drink slowly made my hands stop shaking.

"Beck?" I asked looking at the budding sunset.

"Yeah?" He asked through a mouthful of burger.

"Thank you" I said looking over at him, he had his cheeks popped out like a chipmunk.

"For what?" He mumbled again swallowing his food, looking mildly embarrassed.

"For coming home" I replied nonchalantly looking out at the clouds. "You're too good to me Angel" he smiled and wrapped his arm around my shoulders squeezing me in an impromptu hug. My heart kickstarted into overdrive as he said the nickname I've had since we were kids. He then unwrapped his second burger and took a bite with a moan that would make anyone blush out of context "do you realize how long it's been since I had a greasy McDonalds burger?"

"How long?" I asked to humor the lumber jack sitting beside me.

"A whole fucking year" he took another wookie sized bite out of his burger. I shook my head and took a bite of my salad he devoured his second burger and moved onto his large fry

"What I don't understand Beck is that you can eat like your pregnant while maintaining a weight of 180"

"It's called exercising Areum" he replied bluntly giving me a look as if to say *gasp! How dare you comment on my weight.*

"I exercise but I'm still pudgy" I said squishing my stomach, Beckett looked at me critically.

"If you're pudgy, then I'm a sumo wrestler, and don't say stuff like that you're beautiful" he grumbled. I blinked I really had to clean my ears, I was beginning to hear things. "Excuse me?" I asked, but he just laughed it off and poked my tummy, I ignored him and flopped back against the wind shield. He joined me and we watched as the already waning sunlight turned into an inky purple and the moon soon replaced the sleeping sun. I shivered as a cold chill dripped down my spine, he took off his military jacket and draped it over my prone body "thanks" I said snuggling into his warmth. "No problemo Areum" he said tucking me back under his arm.

***

"Here we are" Beckett said throwing the truck into park, I smiled at him "thanks" I said as I handed him back his jacket. He took it and threw it in the backseat. "Now that I'm back and am driving this old clunker again, do you have a ride to school?" I shook my head "no, but I'll just ride the bus with Archer it'll be fine." I said shutting down the tiny voice in my head that was internally screaming at the thought of public transportation. "Mika doesn't have a vehicle?" Beck asked cocking an eyebrow I gave him the look. "News flash, Mika's still a bum" I said. Mika is my oldest brother, he's a year older than me and he graduated with Beckett. High school was where Mika's life peaked and from there it's all gone downhill. Instead of going straight to college he took a year off to work and hasn't had a single thought about going back. He's got his own apartment, fyi, it's my mom's downstairs basement that he has turned to a man (bum) cave. Mika's only goal is to work at the mini golf park for the rest of his life, I mean he does pay mom to rent the basement, but the asshole will eat all the leftovers in the fridge, even if you have your name on them. "I don't mean to be rude, but it doesn't surprise me." Beckett looked as if he was thinking about something "how about I drive you and A to school as payback for taking care of Edna." He offered caressing Edna's steering wheel. "Are you sure" I asked, Beckett nodded and grinned at me "I get to catch up with A! This is great!" I rolled my eyes and popped open Edna's door I ungracefully hopped down and waved at him "goodnight!" I called as I closed the door. He waited until I was inside and then drove away, I jumped as a light flickered on "where have you been young lady?" I spun around to see Mika sitting in the living room with crossed arms starring daggers at me "do you know what time it is?" I relaxed. "Oh my goodness Mika you scared me half to death!" I smiled at him, nothing... His face hasn't budged. "I was just out with Beckett, you know he came home today." I responded and my older brother had the gull to give me a scandalized look "A BOY!" he dramatically asked with his hand on his chest. "You should really take up acting bro" I deadpanned and Mika's whole little façade crumbled "whatever" he said getting up, "next time you decide to stay out late princess, call mom she was worried sick." He said gruffly grabbing a water bottle and retreating down the stairs and into his dungeon. I felt bad, I should've called but I forgot. I trudged up the stairs and got ready for bed.