Got Your Six

Chapter 1 (Recap)

September in another car...

"You are going to like it here. I know it's far from home, but you'll make friends. I promise. It isn't as bad as it sounds." My mother was trying to make me feel better about going to St. Lucian's Military Boarding School. It wasn't working.

"Yes, it is. You and Dad are leaving me here. I could go with you..." I tried one more time to convince her but she was already shaking her head.

"I'm sorry hunny. It's too dangerous this time. You need to stay here and focus on your schooling. We will make sure your Aunt Shelly picks you up on time for holidays. Be good and don't make us worry, okay?" She was pleading with me through the rear view mirror and I looked away guiltily.

"Fine. Whatever. Just don't go and get yourself killed." I mumbled without heat. I was half serious about the last part. I guess it really was a dangerous warzone that they were heading into, and there was nothing I could do about it.

"We're here." She whispered softly after a few minutes. I watched out the window as we pulled up to a busy yard. There were cars in the parking lot with various stages of unpacking. Students, parents, and faculty in uniforms all milled about.

We pulled into a free spot and I stood awkwardly beside the car as my mother grabbed my duffel bags and placed them on the lawn. I waited for her to lock up, then grabbed one of them and made my way to the sign-in table that was labelled near a large building.

"Derek Shaw, freshman year." She told the officer when we got to the front of the line. He flipped through some sheets and marked me off his list. Then his fellow officer dug into a box behind him and pulled out a folder of paperwork. He handed it over to me, and I flipped through the welcome notices and class schedule.

"You can sign up for your electives at that table over there. Uniforms are just inside the dormitories there, and you will be assigned your room after you pick it up. Lunch is in the far building starting at twelve hundred hours." He nodded with a friendly smile and I nodded politely.

"What do you want to do first?" My Mom asked me. I shrugged. She sighed, but led me to the electives table. I picked my two favourite subjects from school last year and hoped for the best.

"Let's get your room situated." She commented softly as we walked across the lawn. I sighed as we entered the boisterous main hall. There was a frazzled looking boy with glasses at the desk, and he looked panicked at the freshmen who waited in line to get their appointed rooms.

It took forever, or so it seemed, to get a room and uniform set up. Another student was already sitting in the room when I got to my room and I nodded politely. I didn't care which side I was on. I just sat on the bed as my Mom looked around.

"It seems nice. Don't you think it seems nice?" She asked me nervously. I could see her eyes begging me not to make a fuss. I sighed.

"Sure Mum. It seems nice." I said with a dull voice. She smiled sadly at me and gave me a tight hug.

"You know we love you, right hun?" She asked me quietly. I nodded and hugged her back.

"Yeah. I know. I love you both too." I conceded to her. I didn't want her leaving thinking that I was mad at her. I guess I wasn't really. Just disappointed.

"Be good, and make us proud. Yeah?" She cupped my cheek and I lowered my eyes to my feet.

"Yeah, sure." I walked her outside and watched sadly as she left. I was on my own. I looked around at the other people as they ran around and settled into the school for a few minutes before heading back to my room.

"Hey. She gone then?" The other guy said with a sympathetic look.

"Yeah. I'm Derek Shaw." I put out my hand for a shake and he smiled and grasped it tightly.

"Ned Feathers. Let's make the best of it, shall we?" He seemed like a nice guy, so I nodded and grinned.

"What classes do you have?" I asked as I went back to look at my sheet. He hummed and got out his own page.

"Let's compare. Oh, we only have two together. Well, that's alright. I'm sure we'll meet some more friends. We should make a study group or something." He sat back on his bed and I reluctantly sat on mine.

"Yeah. Sounds good."

"You want to grab a bite in the lunch room? We should take a tour of the classrooms too so we can find our way first day." Ned suggested. I raised my eyes and smiled.

"Why don't we. If we catch the lunch early, we will probably have more selection." I answered him. We both hopped up from our seats and raced down the halls with a grin. I almost crashed into a guy with a box, and laughed as I said sorry. He grinned and shrugged.

"Not too many here yet. Look, they're grabbing trays over there." Ned pointed to a short line of older guys grabbing trays from a stack and then getting in lines for food. We followed their actions and stood with some excitement to see what was for lunch.

"There's actually quite a bit to choose." I commented with relief. Ned nodded and pointed out someone scooping rice at one stand.

"I'm going over there. What do you want?" He looked at me curiously. I nodded over to the fish and chips.

"I'm headed there. Meet you over at the cutlery?" We nodded and separated to grab our food. I went to grab a fork and some ketchup for my chips after I got my food. Ned trailed after me shortly.

"Where should we sit?" He asked nervously. We looked at all the empty tables and decided to take one away from the older students. I faced towards them, Ned opposite me. A laugh drew my gaze, and I peered over at the older boys in the lunch hall.

Two of them were throwing French fries at each other, chatting loudly with two others. Another boy walked over with a broad grin and set down his tray as the others hollered and cheered. He got back-slaps and hugs from the others.

I realised after a minute that I was staring. That boy, he was incredible. His blond hair hung over one eye, his clothes were clean cut and you could tell he was just ripped. His smile though, sweet Jesus it made my knees weak.

"Who you looking like that at?" A boy sat down next to me, and I was startled out of my reverie. I blushed as he looked at me with a raised brow, then followed my line of sight as I looked across at the group again.

"Ah, who is that guy? Do you know?" I asked in a hushed voice.

"The blond you mean?" The guy asked with a grin. I nodded enthusiastically.

"Yeah. He's beautiful." I admitted. The guy laughed.

"Forget it kid. You don't have a chance with that one. That's The Alex Kensington. Number One in the school now. His boyfriend is like a super soldier." His eyes held a bit of awe in them as they looked at the Senior across the hall.

"Oh. Damn." I said disappointedly. Then I turned back to the guy next to me. "Name's Derek. Freshman."

"Charmed. I'm Stephan, Sophomore." His warm hand clasped mine and his smile showed a dimple. We both turned back to our food, and Ned introduced himself across the way. My eyes couldn't help but to stray though. I sighed.

No chance huh? Atleast there was some serious eye candy. I grinned. Maybe this school wasn't sobad after all.