queaking sneakers and shoute

through every

!" Sergeant Miller bar

nodded,

Jessica leaning against the ble

t there to wa

ow, Ash, trying so hard! You almost l

snick

ning, my p

red of failing, A

. Their words

as packing my bag

my way. "All this effort. It's kind_

. "Because the ending I remember inv

ened. Jessica

ffing out her chest. "He remembers all the right st

... what? A soldier?" S

I said, meeting her gaze. "Somet

ed pas

ollowed me, but

d their foreknowledge

realize it

Mike' s spending b

s. He even leased a flashy, second-hand sport

he phone once, w

I know this company's going to

as slick, m

life, had been so proud

ng played, fundi

anwhile, la

new gifts, makin

igh dramatically if I was within ear

ll a per

their worth, to rub their s

s pat

ogress repor

re perfect.

s were

, a D in

e school counsel

ut of her office

ll-meaning attempt to understand

d there seems to be some... history between

ect, my focus is on my academics and my ROTC application.

sappointed bu

t. Mike wasn't li

busy living

was already sta