The Election

Chapter 2

“Dude, watch out!” Dan said to his friend Rick as they were running late to class and he nearly ran into the big, burly guy in a black tux standing outside the classroom they were supposed to be in.

They walked in and sat in the back row.  The teacher hadn’t arrived yet and everyone was still chatting.  “At least we lost our security,” Rick said. “We don’t even need them. We’re military men, we can protect ourselves.”

Dan chuckled, “Right, I’d like to see you against that dude.” He motioned toward he door so Rick knew he was talking about the huge guy he almost ran into.

“Pfft. Please, I’d take him any day.”

“Mmmhmmm…” Dan said just as the professor walked in. He recognized him as the former Democratic Senator Lutz of Virginia who stepped down from office to help take care of his sick wife.  The professor called role and gave Dan and Rick both dirty looks as he recognized their names.

Dan’s father, James, is the Republican candidate up for election this year with Ricks father Richard as his Vice President.  “Damn Democrats... They’ll be the death of this country.” Rick said quietly so just Dan heard him.

“It’s alright, our dads will take office in a few short months.” Dan said high fiving his best friend.

The class went over the syllabus and was released.  The guys headed upstairs to the on-campus Republican campaign office to get their uniforms.  Dan and Rick were both involved in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) on campus.  They wanted to be involved with the military. After all, both of their father’s were military men, and they looked up to their fathers with the greatest respect.  A military man is a better politician to run this country than just someone who goes to school for it.  They have a greater understanding of military tactics than someone who hasn’t ever been in the military.

The current president, President White, wasn’t a military man. He actually went to this university to study Political Science at the same time Dan’s dad went here. The difference is, James served time in the military and he says it was one of the best times of his life. He met Dan’s mother, Linda, in the hospital wing when he was broke his leg during basic training.

Dan and Rick met after Dan told his parents he wanted to go into the military when he was a freshman in high school.  They suggested enrolling him into military school to get basic training completed and he could learn the leadership positions necessary in the military.  Dan and Rick were both freshmen in at Eagle Academy when they met and became instant buddies after learning they were bunkmates. 

While Dan chose to go to the academy, Rick was shipped off by his parents who couldn’t seem to get a handle on his rebellious attitude.  Rick always hated being a politician’s son.  He was always being followed by security and always had to wear a stupid tie that always choked him.

The guys were walking down the deserted hallway on their way to the Republican campaign office when they were about to round the corner and felt two bodies ram into their chests.  Dan looked down and saw a short, slender blonde haired girl about to fall onto the floor. He quickly caught her with his arm around her waist so she didn’t hit her head on the hard floor. The tingles he got in his arm as it touched her bare skin of her exposed torso as her shirt slid up a bit didn’t go unnoticed.

“Shit, sorry about that. Wasn’t paying attention,” he said as he set her back on her feet.  She looked to make sure her friend was okay and helped her up.  He turned to look at Rick and punched him in his arm and motioned for him to help her as he just stood there staring at the girl on the floor. 

After her friend was up, she looked up at Dan and he his breath got caught in his throat as he saw the most beautiful mint green eyes he had ever seen.  The color of her eyes mixed with her creamy colored skin and pale blonde hair had him entranced.

“That’s alright,” she said.

They were both just staring at each other when the girl who fell gave Rick a dirty look for not helping and just staring at her on the floor and said “Sorry, but we have to go.” She grabbed her friend’s hand and started walking away.

The guys nodded their heads and continued to watch as their hips swayed as the girls headed towards the stairs.  Dan noticed the American Flag bag the blonde had on her shoulder.

“Dude…” Dan said.

“Dude…” Rick agreed.

“Who the hell were they?” Dan asked as they continued their way to the office after the girls were all the way down the stairs.

“I don’t know but I call dibs at the hot chick.”

“You’re dumb. They were both hot, but I call the blonde.”

Rick laughed, “Deal dude.”

They got to the office and saw one of the coordinators, Tracy, decorating a poster to hang in the Student Union.

“Hey Trace. We’re gonna go change into our uniforms.”

“Hey Dan. Sure go right ahead. They’re in the back. You can go into the empty offices back there.”

“Thanks!”

The guys changed into their uniforms, put their school clothes into their backpacks, and headed towards the courtyard where the Air Force ROTC train.

As they walked out the front doors of the building, Dan saw a familiar blonde with an American Flag tote bag climbing into a long stretch limo after her brunette friend as the big guy in a tux that Rick almost ran into earlier held the door open for them.

Dan nudged Rick, “Dude, who are they?”

Rick shrugged as he noticed whom he was talking about and said, “I don’t know, but I’m really hoping to find out.”

“Me too.”