Make Forever Happen

Surprise!

   -2 years later-

   " I can't believe we are about to finish bootcamp tomorrow! One more day till Graduation!" Seaman Recruit Hillkline says, in a lot more excitement than I'd thought she'd use. But she wasn't wrong, we do graduate bootcamp tomorrow. Bootcamp for her was a lot easier, since she was a track star at her high school; Marshall Central High. The physical parts of bootcamp have been easy-ish for her, same with studying her Training Guide, she's one of the smartest people I know, I mean she graduated high school being Valedictorian with the highest GPA in her county. Not only is she super fit & smart but her pale skin, light brown hair, and tall slim figure of 5'8 with her intimidating green eyes that'll literally take you down within a matter of seconds, is quite intimidating.

   Natalia is kind of like me in a way, yes we might've shared a lot of our personal lives together throughout bootcamp but it's whats makes our friendship last a lifetime. It's kind of funny the we have a lot in common, we're both book worms, have at least 5 hidden tattoos, are fascinated with learning more about our careers in the Navy, and we both graduated with Honor Medallions from each of our high schools. But for the past 9 weeks, she's been my best friend throughout this entire experience from start to finish!

   It's kind of surreal that we are graduating bootcamp in less than 24 hours, it feels like forever since I've written my mom & brother. Even though they each wrote me two days ago, and now I can't believe I'll be reuniting with them tomorrow. My mom has written in the letter she sent me two days ago, that she & my brother, Jack had a "surprise", so I was a little taken back when I got the uneasy feeling of butterflies in the pit of my stomach.

   Coming back from the Galley —marching for the second-to-last time as Recruits— once we are called to attention and then parade-rest, the thought of this "surprise" my mom had mentioned crept into my mind. Making me miss the command given by the RDC's, meaning drop on our 6-packs and do the 50 push-ups that Petty Officer 1st Class Almoraz gave us to do since I didn't listen clearly to her command.

   After the 50 push-ups & the march back to the ship ( our barracks ) she pulled me aside to ask, " Seaman Recruit June is everything all right? You seemed out of it back there." Hearing this made me confused at first, but realizing that it was the night before Graduation, the Petty Officers & RDC's weren't being as harsh on us as they have been for all of these 9 weeks. But Petty Officer Almoraz pulling me aside and asking me if I was okay took me off guard but I answer her back with, " Petty Officer, this Seaman Recruit is a little worried about what her mother has told her, Petty Officer."

    She responds back a lot more laid back than I'd thought, saying, " Seaman Recruit June, you don't need to be as formal, and what is it that's worrying you from your mom?" With her petite & muscular frame, she's completely taken her RDC walls down and she's showing care & concern in her dark brown eyes. As she repeats the question, " what's worrying you from your mom?" Her Hispanic accent becoming a little more thicker, but I answer the question with, " Petty Officer, this— sorry, Petty Officer... I'm just worried that my mom's surprise will lead to something, more like someone who had affected me in an emotional way and I—."

    She cuts in with, "So you're telling me that you're worried your mom will bring an ex-boyfriend/ girlfriend to your graduation to get you two back together?" She has a puzzled look on her face but I glance into her eyes and slowly nod. Petty Officer Almoraz tells me how she thinks it could be for the best & that we'll find out tomorrow... hopefully things work out and Jack has calmed down over the years.

Authors Note: Hey guys! I just wanted to say that this is my first ever written book & I hope you all enjoy it! I'm currently still writing chapters for this book. In the rest much love & happy reading! ~Anna-Maria 😆