Chapter 1: Casey

Casey: 10 years ago

"Mom, can you stop stressing"

"No. I won't stop stressing. You have just turned 18 and are planning to go into the military. It's every mother's worst nightmare, Casey, My oldest babies are leaving tonight and I don't know how to feel about this"

"So is it a bad time to let you know that Oliver is leaving too, cause I don't want you to chew my ear off alone?"

"Oh, goodness me. I always knew you two would do everything together. Thick and Thieves" My mom sighs as she calls for our dad to come down the stairs. He already knew that we were doing this, and when we filled out all the paperwork, our medical history, and everything else that was needed on the list, our dad was right there explaining it all to us and guiding us. So I bet my mom is going to give him hell for it.

"He's thick, if you must know." I can't help but joke. It's my coping mechanism when I'm nervous.

We didn't exactly tell our mom that we was joining because we knew she would tell us she didn't want us to and would try to talk us out of it but our father knew and Jake, who is my best friend, knew.

"Don't joke, Casey. I know we have been over this all day, and yes, I am so proud of you both, but I am scared, and I can't help it, okay? I want you to do this; if you want to do it, I won't stop you, but I also want letters whenever you can, okay?"

Oliver is my brother. To be exact, he is my twin brother. He's 3 minutes older than me, but we have the same characteristics-humour and thinking alike-so when I told him I was planning to join the military after graduation, he was all on board with doing it as well, serving our country, and gaining new experiences to top it all off. Leah, who is a close friend of mine, and also my brother's girlfriend, Max, and Jake are also good friends of Oliver's we're happy for us. I'm not a big fan of Max; he's the sort of person you instantly dislike. He joined the military last year, and he is 2 years older than me and Oliver, whereas Jake is the same age as us. He just doesn't see himself doing this, which is understandable. It's not everyone's right path. But it is mine.

"So you told mom then?" Oliver asks as I begin packing for boot camp. All the light material they said when they called yesterday and said me and Oliver had gotten in and passed most examinations. All that's left now is 10–12 weeks of boot camp and then back before our first deployment, which could be weeks or months.

"Yeah. Not happy and I think she's going to rip Dad a new one as well, with how pissed she looked at him"

"Cassssi," our 4-year-old sister, Sophia, shouts as she enters my room. She can't say my name properly so she settles for the nickname of Cassi. Most people now call me Cassi, or just Cass for short. I don't mind it.

"Hey munchkin, What's up?"

"I have something for you and Olly" Her four-year-old personality is a downpour of sass with a pinch of attitude and a handful of love. Everyone who meets her meets this amazing little girl and I can't believe how big she is growing already. Oliver and I are 14 years older than her. When my mom fell pregnant, it was madness. We stayed well clear of the house and spent much-needed time with our friends. Much. Needed. Time.

"What is it, sweetie?" I ask as I crouch down to her level and so does Olly the Wolly. That nickname was set by our mom because he was always causing mischief; little did she know that he performed the mischief, and I just instigated it. Or maybe she does know but refuses to see that her oldest is capable of causing trouble.

I open the card from Sophia, which reads in her four-year-old language.

Cassssi.

I am so prowd of you. I will wait for you to come, Bak.

Luv Sophia

"Sophia, this is a lovely baby. Thank you. I love you too," I say with unshed tears threatening to spill. I will take this card with me and have it in my bag so when I get homesick, which I know I will, or when I just need a reminder of home, I can open her card and smile.

"Thank you, Sophia. This is a beautiful gift for us," Olly says as he crouches too. We were very protective of our sister and even our parents. I can't wait to be out there serving my country, but I am scared. I won't lie. Over the last few months, me and my brother have gotten up before dawn, gone running, and begun training early on, so our muscles were used to the exercise and the pressure that they put on all soldiers.

After packing all the basics they told us to pack: toothbrush, toothpaste, brush, bobbles and hair pins, hair spray, socks, underwear, and the usual stuff you would need, I gathered my driver's licence and put it in the front pocket of my bag. Me and Oliver leave in a few hours for our 10–12 week training at San Diego's Naval Training Centre, which starts tomorrow, so we are leaving today and having one last night with our family in a hotel the military has on site.

"Casey, Sophia, and Oliver, can you come down here, please" Dad shouts as we all pile onto the landing and head downstairs. We have our Uniforms on ready to leave but I know Jake and Leah are coming over this afternoon as well to see us off. Leah is a little emotional as we are going, but she holds it together pretty well until she's only with me or Oliver.

Heading downstairs, we enter the living room to find all of our family here: aunts, uncles, gramps, and gramps on mom's side, and Nan and grandpa on our dad's side. Mom's sister and Dad's sisters and brothers are all crammed into the living room. I can't help but feel the swell of pride and happiness run through my veins.

"We spoke to everyone last night about coming today; they were so proud of how you both chose to do this together and wanted to be here for a minor going away tea to wish you both luck and to tell you to keep safe and keep each other company. I am one very proud mother, and I expect to have you both at home as soon as your training is finished." Mom's always been a soft soul, easygoing, and happy, but her emotions today are what cause both me and Oliver to have tears fresh in our eyes as we stand by her and give everyone hugs.

By the time everyone has wished us luck, eaten everything on the tables, and had a few moments to joke and have a laugh, we are heading to the car, ready for our mom, dad, and Sophia to take us to San Diego. Our photos have been taken. Some of me and Oliver, some with all 3 kids, cousins, friends and Leah I can't help but set it as my lock screen photo. A photo of me, Olly, and Sophia is now my mom's F******k profile picture with several hashtags.

"Are we ready, guys?"

"Yeah, Dad, we are ready. Let's rock and roll, shall we" I say in a cheery voice.

By the time we get to the hotel, it's gone 8 p.m., and we are all exhausted from the drive. The singing we all did and the emotions radiating through the car were hard. I think once we get into it all, everything will work out for the best. Everything will be better, and they can still continue with their lives as well We can still speak to them whenever we get the chance. Letters are also an option.

The night is full, and I sit outside, overlooking everything around us. The sky is darker, and I smile to myself.

"What are you thinking about?" Dad asks me as he sits down on the chair next to me.

"Are you mad at the choices we have made?"

He looks over at me, puzzlement written across his face as he says, "Why on earth would you think that we were disappointed with you, champ?"

Champ. The nickname he has had for me since I was little.

"I don't want you both worrying. It's hard enough to have to leave but I need you to understand that we will come home. And I can't wait until we do"

"Me too, kiddo. Just don't expect your mother to let you rest. She will have you cooking the moment you walk through that door" His laughter ricochets from outside life, making me laugh too.

"In that case, I don't think I will come home" I laugh.

Me and dad speak about so much, and before I know it, I'm crawling into bed with my younger sister, and I am conked out asleep.

"Oi shitface. Wake up"

"Olly?"

"Yeah sissy?"

"I will boot you in the dick if you don't go away right this second"

"Oh, come on. We have to get on site and moms got to head home. Grammes burned so much food and the smoke alarm keeps going off"

The thought of our Grammes cooking makes even me shiver. The last time she cooked, we all had non-edible food. The takeaway that night cost a fortune, but she tried.

"Right. Fine, I'm up. Let me sort myself out and I will meet you all out front in 10"

Once I'm sorted, I head outside with my duffel bag attached to my shoulders, and we say emotional goodbyes to our families. It doesn't seem like a long time since we were away, but it is for them. I have read many, many articles about how most people find that boot camp goes by so fast.

"Right, come on then, let's go, soldier," my brother says with his arm around my shoulder, looking down at me. I look up at him, and I smile so brightly that he matches my smile just as we hear the familiar click of a camera. Mom snapped a photo of us both together. We are proud of each other. The looks are the happy looks.

"Let's go"