Phoenix [Joe Keery]

The shadow of my Dad is casting over my face, blocking the harsh summer sun from getting into my eyes. He's wearing a blue trucker cap and a pair of black sunglasses. His huge grin is taking over his whole face, eyes are crinkled under the dark frames and I can see them from my position on the ground. He's sitting up, with hands and arms stretched out behind him supporting his weight against the yellow grass. "Do you think you wanna fly one of those someday day, bug?"

"Dad, I could never fly one of these."

"Sure you could, you can do anything you want."

"Mom wouldn't let me."

"She can't make you do anything you don't want to, bug."

"I know, but I think I want her to be proud of me."

"You think?" He glances down at me. The movement causes the sun to hit my right eye.

Squinting, I look up, "Ya, I think."

"Ok so let's say if you don't want to make your mom proud, would you wanna fly one of those?"

"I think I would love it."

Just as the words escape, another jet wooshes overhead. I grin up at the underside of the large plane. Carefully watching the wheels recline back into the body and the engine kicking into high gear. Planes are pretty predictable and the act of taking off is like a crescendo. It builds its take-off, hurdling itself down the runway almost to the edge, until you think it isn't going to take off, instead crashing into trees. Right before the edge, it tips its nose towards the sky and tantalizingly lifts itself into the air.

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19-year-old Marrick Dale has never really lived. Her whole life has been dedicated to the council choosing day and her small world is about to be expanded.

Recently grounded Joe 'Phoenix' Keery, is a pilot instructor for this years class of pledges. He's short tempered, rude and selfish. He only looks out for himself, and the one time he didn't, he learned his lesson to never try that shit again.