The army reveille sounded throughout the campus at six am, signalling the beginning of a new day.In the dorm room, Wendy groaned in protest at the blaring sound.The deafening noise interrupted her much-needed sleep, and she grumbled about wanting to go back to dreamland.Angelia, who had tossed and turned all night, was just as irritated as her roommate.She rolled around to face the wall, attempting to block out the annoying sound, and buried her face in the pillow.Callie, on the other hand, was already awake, sitting up at the reveille.She climbed down from her top bunk, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.Despite her grogginess, she decided to get up and start her day.Yawning, she washed up and brushed her teeth, preparing for the morning ahead.Remembering Elias’s words from the previous day, Callie hesitated for a moment before opting for her white lab coat instead of the military uniform.She quickly combed her hair and tied it into a neat top bun.The reveille, a blaring loud
Wendy raised an eyebrow. ‘Lost? Seriously? Well, I guess it happens. Anyway, I’ve got to say, you look great in that white lab coat. But you know what would look even better on you? The military uniform! You should wear it more often.’Callie smiled. ‘Thanks, Wendy. I appreciate the compliment, but I actually prefer the lab coat. It’s more comfortable for me.’‘Come on, don’t be shy. I bet you’d rock the uniform too. Why don’t you wear it?’‘Because Elias told me not to,’ Callie thought.‘Well, let’s not make a big deal out of it.’ She quickly changed the subject. ‘So, anyway, I went to the training ground earlier, and it was intense! The soldiers were doing combat training, and it was quite impressive.’Wendy’s eyes lit up. ‘Combat training, huh? Any shirtless hunks among them?’Callie laughed. ‘Sorry to disappoint you, but they were fully dressed. Still, it was quite a sight to see.’‘Aw, man! I was hoping for some eye candy. Guess I’ll have to wake up early next time to catch them
Amidst the banter, Wendy noticed a soldier pushing through the crowd, heading upstairs.Wendy’s heart skipped a beat, and a blush crept up her cheeks.‘Callie, look!’ Wendy whispered excitedly. ‘To your right, going upstairs.’Callie followed her gaze and nodded, impressed by the sight. ‘He does look rather dashing.’Angelia glanced at the man indifferently. ‘He’s all right, I guess.’The man’s insignia and army service uniform identified him as a captain.Wendy couldn’t understand how Angelia could be so blasé about such an attractive officer.But before she could dwell on it, she noticed the captain glancing their way.Their eyes locked for a moment, and Wendy felt her cheeks burn brighter.‘Uh-oh, he’s looking this way,’ Wendy whispered, feeling flustered.‘Don’t make eye contact!’ Callie warned, her cheeks also tinted with a blush.Angelia scoffed. ‘If he’s interested, let him come to me. I don’t waste my time on admirers.’Just as the tension seemed to escalate, a loud voice boom
Elias packed the muffin along with some berries into two separate containers.Then he left the officers’ mess hall and went downstairs, where a throng of soldiers lingered after their breakfast, trying to engage the three women in conversation.His presence commanded respect, and the soldiers quickly straightened up, saluting him as he passed by.‘As you were,’ he said, acknowledging their salute.Among the trio, Wendy was the first to notice Elias approaching, and she couldn’t contain her excitement.‘Hey, look! It’s your lieutenant colonel!’ Wendy nudged Callie.Callie looked up, a smile spreading across her face as she saw Elias making his way towards them. ‘Yup, that’s him.’Angelia, ever composed, noticed Elias too.Her eyes trailed over his tall and imposing figure, taking in the insignia that marked him as a Major General—a gold star surrounded by a wreath of laurel leaves, with two red stripes on a red background, worn on the collar of his olive green uniform.She pegged the m
Callie nodded. ‘Absolutely! I’m excited to get started and make a difference here.’Elias’s expression softened as he looked at her. ‘Just a heads up, it could get tough. The cadets here go through rigorous training, and you might be dealing with all sorts of injuries.’Callie chuckled, her eyes twinkling with confidence. ‘I’m a trained general surgeon, Elias. I can handle a few scrapes, cuts, and bruises.’‘Just be careful, okay? Take care of yourself while you’re at it.’Callie felt a rush of gratitude as she gazed at Elias.His familiar presence eased some of the anxiety she had about starting in a new environment.He had a way of grounding her, making her feel at home even in unfamiliar surroundings.‘I will, don’t worry,’ Callie assured him, her eyes locked with his.‘Shoot! I’m going to be late!’ Callie checked the time on her watch. ‘I have to get going.’Elias nodded reluctantly. ‘All right, take care.’‘See you later,’ Callie said, offering a brief smile before she dashed off
As the clock struck eleven, the health centre seemed to momentarily slow down.Callie finally caught a break from attending to the steady stream of cadets seeking her attention, medical or otherwise.She made her way to the triage desk, where Wendy was busy with paperwork.‘Hey, Wendy. How’s it going?’ Callie greeted, a hint of relief in her voice.Wendy looked up, her face lighting up at the sight of her friend. ‘Hey, Callie! It’s been a wild ride, but we’re managing,’ she replied, her voice filled with admiration for the soldiers they had been treating.Callie leaned against the desk, sharing a knowing look with Wendy. ‘I know what you mean. These soldiers are tough as nails. I’ve treated everything from broken arms to twisted ankles, and they handle it like champs,’ she said, genuinely impressed.Wendy nodded enthusiastically. ‘Oh, let me tell you about this one young soldier, just nineteen years old. He had some serious injuries from hand-to-hand combat training and rock climbing,
‘Can you believe her, Callie? She acts like she’s the queen of this place just because she comes from a wealthy background. The way she looks down on everyone is infuriating,’ Wendy grumbled, rolling her eyes.Then she let out a sigh. ‘She and you may share the same last name, but the two of you couldn’t be more different.’Callie was busy battling with a piece of roast beef, too preoccupied to reply.The beef was overcooked, with no hint of pink in the centre, and lacked the juicy tenderness characteristic of a well-cooked roast beef.The meat was dry and tough, with a leathery texture that made it difficult to chew.Callie had often prided herself on her ability to survive in any environment, but as she struggled to swallow, she was starting to look forward to a weekend trip to Sandsville, where she could at least enjoy some normal food.Wendy was frowning, still concerned about the next six months they would have to work alongside Angelia. ‘I don’t know how I’m going to handle her.
Wendy couldn’t contain her indignation any longer. ‘I can’t believe I helped her lug those suitcases,’ she spat, feeling used and deceived.Callie placed a comforting hand on Wendy’s shoulder. ‘We didn’t know what kind of person she was when we offered to help. Now we do. Let’s just focus on having a good time tonight at the party,’ she said, trying to lift Wendy’s spirits.Outside, the sun had set, and the night was alive with excitement and anticipation.The training ground had been transformed into a festive gathering, with soldiers and cadets mingling, laughing, and dancing around a bonfire, whose crackling flames cast a warm glow over the crowd.Callie and Wendy arrived right on time, ready to embrace the night’s festivities.As they approached, a group of soldiers offered them non-alcoholic drinks, a gesture of hospitality.Wendy nudged Callie. ‘Look.’Callie followed Wendy’s line of sight and saw Angelia in the distance, surrounded by a group of soldiers.Her presence commanded