This was my life now. Though I shouldn't complain; the health benefits are amazing. All the doctors are at my dispense in the military.
I arched my back slightly, to make myself seem taller. Not that I really needed to, me being 5'10. The tallest woman in the battalion, baby. It has its benefits. For example: I sleep with the tall, buff guys. Now that's a benefit.
"Luis!" Chief Ent called out.
I stepped forward. "Here, Chief!" I yelled at the top of my lungs.
Ent casually strolled to me. "At ease, Sugar." My squad nickname because I'm the only girl; it sucks.
I relaxed and looked up to meet his gaze, "What's up, Fairy?" His nickname is slightly more clever.
"Commander wants to see you, again. This time it's at the lake, next to the forest."
I sulked, "But I haven't even had breakfast, yet."
"Don't worry, Sugar, I'll save you something sweet." Okay, I lied. 'Sugar' is actually because of my obsession with sugar.
"A Twinkie?" I pleaded.
"Anything, now go."
I smiled and skipped it of the barracks. Not before I heard several jokes about Commander and myself. I love those guys. Although, I'm not too thrilled to have a walk in the woods with just Commander. It's spooky without the rest of the squad to make sexual jokes the entire time. I went anyway. Commander has me come to him a lot. I am the best Cadet. I've ranked highest in everything, except running. Waters beats me every time.
I can see the trees, and a man, probably Commander, nobody else is that tall. He's seven feet and four inches tall. I wonder what the air must be like for him. I wave frantically, though he's already looking at me.
"Good Morning, Cadet Luis." Commander nodded at me when I fianally reached him.
"Good Morning, Commander." I saluted and stood at attention.
He waved his hand at me, "At ease, Luis."
I put my arm down, "What do you need, Commander?"
"I heard you're afraid of the forest. You can thank Dewberry for this: every time I call you to my office, you have to jog a lap around the forest. Not now, though."
I'm going to kill him. "You heard correct, Commander." I hadn't told anyone, yet the guys can see right through me. They'll all die.
"Actually, there's plenty of things I've heard about you, Luis." He said matter-of-factly.
I had no idea what he was talking about. I hadn't committed any crimes thus far. "Commander, I swearβ."
"Now hold on Luis, you're not in trouble quite yet."
A sigh of relief escaped me.
"Walk with me, Luis." He began a slow pace, away from the forest (yay!), so I'd be able to keep up. "The boys aren't the only ones who've been sharing. Turns out everyone's got a say. I originally heard this from Master Chief, though I have no idea why anyone would tell him anything. Poor soul can't keep a secret to save his life."
"What did he say, Commander?" Curiosity snuck up on me.
"He wasn't even the only one to share, Luis. Nobody from your squad has spilled, so don't hate them." Too late.