When Blaze goes to Sand Island, she goes in as a nugget (a.k.a. a beginner pilot). Two missions later, she is made captain after hers is shot down and goes M.I.A. Blaze, along with her best friends and wingmen Chopper, Nagase and Grimm, start turn...
"Jealousy is the fear of comparison." ~Max Frisch ___________________________________
Chapter 6: Rendezvous
Grimm
September 30, 2010, Briefing Room
Arriving in the briefing room, I found Chopper, Cassie, and Nagase listening intently to Genette discussing all the people against the President's peace treaty, and how many of them were leaving the city. Nagase nodded once in a while, agreeing to something he said. However, Blaze was nowhere to be seen. Odd, I thought. She was usually the first one there.
Cassie beamed at me when I approached, patting the seat next to her and saying, "You're just in time."
"For what?" I asked, sitting down.
She leaned in conspiratorially and whispered, "The imminent drama."
Cassie subtly nodded at the doorway where a stony-faced brunette walked in. I had no idea who she was, but Chopper seemed to recognize her. "Shit. This won't be good," he said, grimacing. He looked over at me, and his brow furrowed. "You look as confused as a fart in a fan factory. What gives?"
"I'm a what?" I shook my head. "Actually, on second thought, I don't want to know. Why do you guys hate this girl?"
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"Her name is Bailey Cohen," Cassie said quietly, glancing over at the person of discussion to make sure she wasn't listening in. "Long story short, Bailey blames Blaze for her sister's death even though it was her sister's fault. Nearly got Blaze kicked out of the Academy over it."
"That bitch just spells trouble wherever she goes," Nagase added quietly, eyeing Bailey with evident dislike. I hadn't known Nagase long, but I learned well enough that Nagase never talked negatively about someone, let alone badmouthed them and called them a name, so for her to say that about Bailey, then this girl had to be bad news.
I nodded in acceptance. "Got it. I hate her too."
"Speaking of Blaze-" Chopper scanned the room- "where is she? She's never late."
"Found her," Cassie said, nodding once more at the doorway. My captain strolled into the room with Tornado next to her. Both of them were smiling and chatting breezily like it was the most natural thing in the world for them.
"I'll see you later?" Tornado asked.
Blaze nodded and joked, "As long as you don't get shot down."
"Don't worry, I'll eject in time. Think I'll set off the tornado sirens when I touch down?" He beamed cheekily at her. Blaze rolled her eyes, but her smile took out the sass. Sobering up, Tornado clapped her gently on the shoulder. "I know you don't need it, but good luck today."
"You, too. I'll see you up there." Blaze shuffled over to us and took a seat next to me. I watched Tornado walk to his seat, and on the way, he locked eyes with Chopper. He winked, almost smugly, at my wingman, who then proceeded to discreetly flip him off. Tornado simply laughed it off. I don't know what was going on between those two, but searching my friend's faces, I realized no one else witnessed what I did. I also had a sneaking suspicion their tiff was over Blaze, but I sure as hell wasn't going to ask. I barely knew Tornado, and I felt like Chopper might tell me to go to hell if I asked him. I'd simply have to wait and see how everything played out.
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