Each captain needed a second in command to keep them in check and to bounce ideas off of. Unluckily for me, that was Keira Harding. She was the bane of my existence. Someone who could make you angry just by the way she looked at you.
She was light skinned with shoulder length black hair. Her eyes were dark green, almost brown and always looked happy. She was about the same height as me and wore a military style jacket with cargo pants and combat boots. It was hard to tell but she looked pretty muscled as well.
The way to the apartments was tortuous. It was close to the training facility which was nice but Keira wouldn’t shut up. She was spouting off about how important proper nutrition and exercise is. For some reason she also boasted about how going to the gym even after training will yield better results.
It was ridiculous how long she would spend at the gym. We had a solid eight hours of training, which included Lucas and Keira and she would go back afterwards. I definitely was not about to do something like that, nor did I have the time to.
“We’re here. All your stuff is already there, you just have to finish unpacking. If anyone needs my help, feel free to call. Everyone’s phone numbers are posted on the fridge.” She grinned.
Carter opened the door to his apartment, “I’m definitely going to need help.”
“I’m on it.” Keira grinned and they walked into the room together.
When I walked into my apartment, boxes were sprawled out everywhere. I didn’t think that I had packed that much.
All the apartments were set up in the same way. When you walk in there’s a small mudroom that leads directly into the living room. Off to the side is the kitchen and there’s a hallway in the back that leads to the bathroom and bedroom. It was all pretty standard.
They were also equipped with a set amount of furniture. There was a couch already set up in the living room. It reminded me of a couch that my grandparents would have. It was decorated with floral patterns and had a rough texture to it.
In the kitchen there was a tiny table set-up that could probably fit two people at most. Next, was the bedroom that had the most rickety looking bed frame and a thin mattress. Other appliances were set up as well. Everything was there that we needed but we could add other things if we wanted to.
I started to unpack the boxes. It was mostly just shoving things into piles and hoping for the best. It wasn’t fun by any means but if it saved time before hours of training tomorrow then I just had to struggle through it.
In the midst of all the unpacking chaos my mom was video calling me.
“Hey, mom.” I tried to look somewhat presentable.
“Hey, just wanted to check up on you, see how you’re doing.” She gave a soft smile.
She was one of the sweetest people I had ever met in my life. Always putting us kids ahead of herself. As I got older that really seemed to bother me. I wanted the best for her just like she gave for us.
I explained everything that had happened since I left. Meeting everyone and the results of my tests. I knew that it made her sad that I wasn’t home all the time anymore, but she was supportive of my decision.
“Yup, that’s pretty much, I’m just unpacking now.” I sighed.
“Believe me, if they allowed me to, I would get it all done for you. You don't know how to properly put things away.” She remarked sassily.
I rolled my eyes, “I'm managing just fine.” I showed her all my progress, which wasn’t a lot.
“Yikes. Your sister could do better than that.” She laughed.
“Mom, she’s three.”
“Still could do better. Speaking of which, someone wants to see you.” Mom panned the camera towards Alexandra.
“Hey fish, how’re you doing over there?” I smiled. Her blonde curls bobbed up and down, her face slightly red from her presumably having just been running around before the call started.
She went on to explain every single detail of her day, starting from when she got up this morning. What mom made her for breakfast, every conversation she had with her friend and even the cookies that she helped make.
“Seems like you’re doing great over there.” I tried to sound enthusiastic.
“Nope. When are you coming home?” She stammered. Her cheeks were a little flushed, with her frowned face.
“Not for a couple months, but I do have a present for you when I get back.” I smiled.
“Really?” She got excited.
“Yup but I can’t tell you, until I get home.”
She frowned, “Alright.”
“I gotta finish unpacking but I’ll talk to you guys soon. Love you.”
“Love you,” They both said in unison and the call ended.
I looked over at one of the smaller boxes that was yet to be unpacked. It had all my crocheting items. Something I liked to do when I was bored was crochet. Usually different animals for Alexandra. I couldn’t help it, especially when she enjoyed every single thing that I made her. It made me happy to do it.
I opened the box and started setting out everything. I carefully placed my needle on the ground and took out all my different colored rolls of yarn. I wasn’t sure on a color scheme yet, it was something I was going to have to think about.
I was about to get started when I heard a knock at the door. When I opened it I was surprised to see Clarisse. That same smile on her face, this time she was wearing more casual clothes than earlier today. Her shirt was a crop top with some sort of cute character on it and a pair of loose jeans.
“So I finished packing and figured I would see if you needed any help.”
“You’re done? Geez I still have all this to do.” I indicated to the rest of the apartment. “Sure, why not.”
“Awesome.” She grinned and barged in.
Immediately she started getting things out of boxes and started sorting them. Her vigor intrigued me.
“Any particular reason you wanted to help?” I started sorting the clothes.
She looked over at me with what looked like sad eyes, “It’s less lonely when you have no one to help.”
“Oh I’m sorry that I didn’t help you.”I felt kinda bad.
“Don’t worry, that’s not what I meant.” She laughed.
There was silence after that. I didn’t mean to make things awkward but I somehow have a talent of making it happen. She didn’t seem to mind the silence but it made me really uncomfortable. Instead I just kept myself busy figuring out a color scheme.
“Hey, is this your boyfriend?”
I looked over and Clarisse had a picture in her hand. I snatched it from her, “No. He’s my ex.” I felt butterflies in my stomach and threw the picture in a random box.
“Oh, sorry.” She laughed weakly.
I plopped on the couch, “It’s complicated.”
Why did she have to ask about him? I wasn’t even ready to face my own demons yet, let alone let someone else in on it. It wasn’t her business anyways. I didn’t know her long enough to dump all my dirty laundry on her.
More uncomfortable silence. I thought I was going to lose my mind when she turned on the tv and sat down next to me. I scooted away from her. It felt as if she could read my mind. I hated when people felt like they had the upper hand on me.
She turned on the tv. It was an animal show, with kittens and puppies running around. Just because I didn’t like the silence didn’t mean I wanted the stupid tv on.
“Any particular reason,” I indicated at the tv.
She grinned, “No one can resist the charms of puppies.”
“I suppose.” More silence. “What time is it?” I was starting to get hungry.
She pulled out her phone. Her wallpaper was a snowy environment. In the center was a white rabbit with trees surrounding it. “Cool wallpaper.” I finally remarked.
“Thanks. I painted it myself.”
“Wait really?”
“Yeah, For a long time I’ve wanted to go pro, be up there with the greats. My parents quickly squashed that dream.” She faked a smile. It was best if I didn’t ask.
“I think it’s amazing. You clearly have some talent.” I grinned.
“Thanks. That means a lot.”
When I was trying to get a better look at her wallpaper, I realized that it was almost seven and we had no food.
Carter barged in the room. “Yo, we’re goin’ shopping, wanna join?”
“Heck yeah.’ Clarisse stood up from the couch.
“Yeah, I’m in.” I followed behind her.
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