Fatat Al Jasus

13-19!

I stare at the ceiling, lying on my bed. My body is tired but my mind is racing.

Am I a coward?

I ask myself. My body shivers. The air conditioner is off, but I am feeling cold. That look I saw on dad's face sometimes back is still in my mind. He was disappointed. Suddenly my phone rings. 

It's Naomi.

"Hello." I receive the call in a bored tone.

"Did your boyfriend dump you?" Naomi asked.

I rolled my eyes and said, "I do not have one."

"Exactly! So there is no reason to be sad. It's not like you are going to Soal forever, you will come back. Cheer up, girl." Naomi said in a happy tone, trying to lighten up my mood.

But going to Soal isn't the fact that is making me sad, and I cannot tell her the reason behind my sadness.

"I am not sad, Naomi. I am just tired." I say.

"Don't lie to me, I might have been your best friend for a year only, but I know you." Naomi said in a strict tone. 

"I... I am just tired of changing places!" I say with a bit of irritation in my voice.

"I know, but that's how it works, you know," Naomi said in a sad tone and sighed. 

Then there was a pause. Suddenly Naomi said in a cheerful tone, "Tomorrow is Friday, so how about we see a movie at night and then you can stay the night at my place and in the morning we will just roam around the neighborhood."

"Sounds good to me." I say happily. At last, something to make me happy again. 

Naomi is the best.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I am sitting on the stairs of the porch, legs bend up to my chest.

When is dad going to come?! I hope he doesn't think that I decided to quit NIA. -The thought running in my brain. 

Last night I thought a lot and I ended up signing my own death warrant. I ended up deciding to stay in NIA and do the job assigned to me even after knowing the risk. 

A military jeep pulls up in front of the house. Dad got down from the jeep and eyed me confusedly while approaching the house.

"I- I am ready to go for my training." I said almost stammering.

A smile cracked on dad's face. "I'll be right back." He said and went in.

Dad came back while tossing the car-keys from one hand to another.

"Come on." He said, going towards the car. I got on the passenger seat next to the driver's seat and dad started the engine.

The car ride was silent but it was evident on dad's face that he was happy. Dad dropped me in front of NIA Headquarters and left. As soon as I turned towards the building, I saw Brandon approaching me, a smirk playing on his lips. I got slightly irritated.

Why does he have to smirk every damn time!

"Well hello, Miss Knight." Brandon said in his fake polite voice.

I look up at him. This guy is tall, like really tall. He could be called the human version of Burj Khalifa.

I make a straight face. "Hi Brandon, and please call me Taylor." I say in a monotonous tone and walk past him, going towards the lift. Brandon walks close behind me.