4pm, I'm at the gym for all kinds of people, both soldiers and non soldiers. Punching hard on the punching bag, I can feel people's eyes burn on me. They must be wondering why am I hitting this thing like a mad beast. Heh! Like I care!
5:45pm, I arrived back home. I went upstairs to change. I took my uniform off and threw it in the basket. I changed into my casual clothes and flops down on my bed. I stared at the ceiling and sighed.
"What's the point?? No one would give me the chance..."
The door to my room creaked open. I lift my head and saw mommy. I let my head down again. She walked up to my laundry basket and took it.
"Hey Vol, why do you look so sad?"
I look at her briefly and our eyes met. Her round curious eyes looked at me, waiting. I avoided her gaze and turned my back to her.
"Aunt Pheene announced they've received a response from Taiwan and only Expanders and Researchers are going there."
"And, what's the matter?"
I took a deep breath, "I wish I could come."
I heard the laundry basket being placed down. I felt the side of the bed sinking a little.
"Why would you want to go? It's dangerous, you might get killed."
I didn't respond. I felt mommy's hand on my shoulder.
"Expanders always have one of their foot on the grave. Every time they go out on a mission, there's no guarantee they'd return alive or even human. Do you want that, Vol? Do you want to die out there and never return to us?"
My jaw clenched.
"As a mother, I wouldn't want you to go. Son, there are plenty of Expanders. Let them do their job."
My ears pricked up and I immediately got up. I walked out of our house. I went out for a walk. Like I already expected, no one would give me any chance. I know my parents are just... concerned...I understand that part...but...dude, I'm 34 years old! I'm no longer the same teen 20 years ago! I'm in my 30's and still need their approval?! Arghh!!
Walking down the street, I saw Aunt Pheene's pick-up truck stop close to their gate. Jarren stepped out of the car and went on to opening their gate. He saw me and he greeted me. I helped him open their gate. And then, Nigel being behind the wheel, he drove the car in the parking space. After that, Jarren and I closed the gate. The car engine silenced, Aunt Pheene and Nigel got out of the car.
"Aunt Pheene! Hi!"
I came to her and hugged her.
"Hey, Nigel."
"Sup, Vol."
Nigel and I bumped fists.
Aunt Pheene invited me in their house. Aunt brought out a key and unlocked their front door. We all went in. Both Aunt and Nigel took their upper gear off.
"Oh boy, that feels better."
Expanders wear different uniform than the rest of the soldiers. Actually, all types of soldiers have specific uniforms and even color coded when in meetings. Expanders always wear black uniforms same with their armor. I'm a Sniper, I wear a very dark shade of blue for my uniform and armor. For the rest: Gatherers-grey, Protectors-deep shade of red, Post Guards-navy blue, Police-blue, and last but not the least the Trainers-green. I don't know who came up with these color coding and designs. But eh...not like it mattered much.
"So where were you heading?" Asked Aunt after changing in to her usual tank-top and shorts. Damn, she's as swole as ever.
"Oh, I was just out for a walk."
"Hmm, aight. Want some cake?"
"Sure! What kind?"
"Blueberry Cheesecake."
Her favorite cake.
I spent all afternoon at Aunt Pheene's. I know they're supposed to be resting, but me invading their dwelling, we just watched some CD's(yes they still exist) while eating cake.
7:30pm, I left to go back home. In 5mins I arrived at our house. I still got 25mins before dinner. When I entered home, I saw my mom and dad sitting on the couch talking. Their faces were serious, I decided to just walk at the side not to disturb. But immediately they called me.
"Where have you been?" asked dad.
"At Aunt's."
Both of their brows furrowed.
"What were you doing there?" asked mom.
"I just hanged out with them and ate cake."
"Did you say anything to your Aunt?" asked dad sternly.
"Uhh...no?"
Dad glared at me but knowing my attitude, incapable of lying, he didn't press on. Mom then stood up and told me to call Telly for dinner. I walked upstairs and found her reading one of Aunt Etah's books.
"Telly, time for dinner."
She looked at me and grinned.
"Your dead to dad."
She got up, placed a bookmark in the book and stood up.
"What do you mean?"
She didn't answer and just walked past me. I shook my head, sometimes I don't understand the wiring of this woman's head. She's my younger sister and would always get me in trouble since she was a toddler. Even now she still does and she's 29. But we don't hate each other, she's just a diva that loves attention.
We went down stairs and sat by the dining table. Altogether we ate dinner. Midway, dad called me.
"Son."
"Yes dad?"
"Why'd you want to be deployed to Taiwan?"
I stopped what I was doing and lift my head to look at him. All of them waited for my answer.
"I won't get mad, just be honest."
I took a deep breath and gathered all my strength before speaking. "I feel like I'm just...r-rotting... away in here."
"You could have just said you were bored," said Telly before shoving a spoon full in her mouth.
I looked at my sister with my brows furrowed. This little!
My dad sighed, "If we let you go, you promise to return?"
"Ye..."
"With your entire body intact?" asked mom.
"I do."
"I'll talk to Pheene, let's see what she says."
After dinner, dad went out for a min. I went up to my room after bringing my plate to the sink. Currently lying on my bed, staring at the ceiling. My feet are cold waiting for dad.
"You got off easy. How bizarre." Telly's voice echoed from my doorway.
I glanced at her.
"I expected more shouting and stuff flying and crashing."
"Telly, I'm too old to get shouted on."
"Pfft, sure."
Telly went to her room and I was left there by myself, left with my thoughts. I wonder, will Aunt Pheene let me come along despite the fact I'm no Expander? I mean, I'm an S-Rank too but a Sniper. I'm agile, I'm strong, I'm good with both melee and ranged. I'm pretty sure I can take care of myself. I'm not so different from them, aren't I? I rolled on my side, hugged a pillow close to me. And then I heard the front door open, dad's back! Dad called out on me and so I went downstairs.
"Your aunt agreed." said dad looking mad yet defeated.
My eyes widened and I grinned. But before I could say something, he continued.
"But, because you're no Expander, she said you'll have to go through intensive training before leaving and while you're on the ship."
"I could d..."
"Expander training is no joke so you better prove yourself enough. Your Aunt and I will pull some strings to let you come along them."
I lost my voice for a moment.
"Don't make your mom and I regret letting you go."
Mom and dad went to their room. I just followed them with my eyes.
I went back up to my room. I turned the light off and lied down on my bed. I took a deep breath. I looked up in the darkness. I blinked my eyes, slowly and eventually my vision adapted. I can make out the shape of the light bulb and the lines on the ceiling. Slowly my lips curved up into a smile. I can't believe it, they let me go! Finally, this is the chance I've been praying for! I'll prove them right for letting me go to Taiwan!