LISA
I get off work and I make my way back to my room. As I open the door and walk into my room I almost thought that I am in the wrong room. Tina is looking like a different woman. I met her in her uniform and ever since then I hardly see her in any other clothes. She is standing in front of a mirror making herself look pretty. I walk close to her and say.
"Did I miss something?"
I gesture towards her clothes and then she turns around saying with a big smile on her face.
"Tonight is the annual party on base. It is meant for the new trainees that qualified but over time it has become just a good time for everyone"
I put my hands on my hips and then I say with a slight frown on my forehead.
"Why did I not know about this?"
She turns back to the mirror while she applies her mascara and then she says.
"Well, you are here now. Are you coming?"
I am not really someone that likes to go to parties or rave clubs but for some reason, I just feel like I need to let loose after the day that I had. There are so many things that went wrong today and I just want to forget about everything.
"You do not have to invite me twice"
She laughs and then I walk over to my suitcase which I did not even unpack yet. I guess deep down inside me I thought that this will be a quick evaluation and I would be on my way back home again by now. But I was clearly wrong as there is so much more going on with Captain Smith and my dad than what I originally thought.
I know that I have packed in at least one black number which I can use for tonight as I can see that Tina is not exactly looking informal. I take out the dress and then I turn to her.
"Will this work?"
She smiles and then she says.
"I think you will fit in perfectly. It is meant to be a formal get together but most of the people just dress the way that they want to"
Then I make my way to the bathroom and take a shower. I hate going out and not feel my best. I think about everything that happened today and how Captain Smith had that panic attack. I am still not sure exactly what happened but it was severe enough for him not to be able to react.
Then suddenly as I get out of the shower I realized that I might run into Captain Smith and not even know it. I hate that I do not know how he looks like. Then I do my makeup and put on my dress. I walk out of the bathroom and I hear Tina whistling at me.
"Someone is going to draw attention tonight"
I slap her shoulder lightly and then I open the door while I look back at her over my shoulder.
"Are you coming?"
I do not even know where I am going but Tina quickly gets off her bed and then we make our way to what looks like a hall that is decorated for a dance. It almost feels like I am going to my prom. I turn to look at her and then I say.
"Really?"
She just laughs and shakes her head and then she says.
"I guess it is just a one time thing and everyone makes it a big deal. We do not really get to go out much on base"
I can not help but smile at her because I can feel how happy this party makes her. I guess she is right when she says that joy is not exactly the thing that is found on a military base. Usually, it is strictly business.
BRIAN
I walk back from the office where Admiral Johnson just told me that I will be going on a mission. He also gave me a bit of good news that I have a day off. I think I have never been this happy that I can have a day off because this entire thing of my mother is driving me insane.
It is strange how the news of my dad has more of an effect on me than my mother that is dead. I walk through the park where I saw that beautiful woman that slowly brought me back to life. I think the best thing for me right now is just to relax. If I can just get a good night's sleep, things will look better in the morning.
Then I feel a hand on my shoulder and as I turn and I see Jim.
"So...are you ready?"
I frown as I turn to look at him and then I say.
"Ready for what? My bed? Yes, I am very ready"
He laughs as he keeps on slapping me on my shoulder. Then he shakes his head and says.
"A bed is for old people. We are going to a party tonight"
"A party?"
"Do not tell me you do not remember? It is the annual party on base for the trainees? You must remember last time you went?"
Then it all came back to me and it only makes me realize that I do not want to go to this party at all. It is my turn to shake my head as I say.
"I remember well what happened the last time...and for that reason, I will not be going. Weren't you the one that begged me not to get involved with anyone on base again"
I see the shocked look on his face and I guess he did not expect me to decline to go to any kind of party. I am usually the hit of the party but nothing that happened today has motivated me to go to this party.
"Are you sick?"
I laugh and then I say.
"No. I am perfectly fine. I am just not in the mood"
"Then we definitely need to get you to the doctor because my man, Brian over here always wants to go to a party and is always in the mood"
I just smile at him and then I say.
"You might be right but not today"
"Are you sure?"
"I am positive. You go and have fun. I just need some rest"
"Okay but do not come crying to me tomorrow and say how you had to go to this party because you saw how much fun I had"
This time I am bursting out with laughter and then I say.
"I promise, I won't"
Then he gives me another slap on the shoulder and turns back to his room. I watch as the sun is setting in the sky and I wonder about what happened to me in the sky today. I realized that I can not carry on the way that I am because if they need me for this mission I need to be a hundred percent.
I open the door to my room and make sure to close it behind me. I fall down on my bed and I realize that I have missed the peace that this bed brings me. I just need to relax and put some things in perspective. But first I need to take a shower as I was sweating like a dog when I had whatever attack I had today.
I get into my shower only to discover that the water is not working. I throw a towel over my body and then I open the door to my room. The hallway is empty and I guess everyone is at the party. That is the perfect time for me to go to the communal showers.
That was probably the thing I hated the most when I was in training. I really wanted a room with my own shower. I find the best shower and then I open the tap and the water comes out. I guess I am going to have to report the problem in my room as I do not want to shower like this every day.
As soon as I am finished showering I walk back to my room but then through the glass doors I see how the people walk to the party. My eyes catch a glimpse of an angel that just walked past our building. I have to stop and walk back and make sure what I saw.
Maybe my eyes were playing tricks on me but then I saw that blonde hair and I know it is not a trick. She is far away from the building already but that dress is doing her justice. I see her long locks of hair blowing through the wind and suddenly I found a new energy inside myself to go to the party.
I almost run back to my room and find my suit. I knew that I had to pack it in and I am glad that in my automatic state I did it. I get ready for the party as quickly as I can and then I look in the mirror one more time just to make sure that there is some way that I might get her attention.
Then, just as I am about to leave the building, I see Jim walking to the party.
"Jim!"
I wave my hand in the air and then he turns around. He sees me and then walks up to me.
"So what happened with all the rest?"
"I did not want to cry tomorrow. So I decided to join you"
He smiles at me and then he says.
"I am glad that you got to your senses because I would lie if I say that I did not feel a bit worried"
I ignore his words as I do not want to think about my mother's death right now. I know that he does not know and I guess I should tell him some time but right now all I want to do is see that beautiful woman. I do not care if I do not talk to her tonight. I just want to stare at her for a little while.
Then we walk through the doors and the decor of the party looks as well as every year. They really went all out and even had a theme for the dance. Snow. It is ironic that this is snow because in these parts you do not see snow a lot.
The entire place is draped in white and they even got a snowman. There are tables and chairs everywhere and the dance floor is surrounded by it. We walk straight up to the bar and get ourselves some beer. The party is already in full swing and the music is perfect.
The only thing missing right now is that my eyes only want to find that beautiful woman. If I get to see her then my night would be perfect. I realize that I am standing next to Jim and he does not want me to hook up with the women on base.
I would love to walk up to her and maybe just hear her voice. I wonder how it is going with her ankle and she really looked in pain at the gym. Maybe I can get Jim drunk enough and then he would forget about me. That way I can steal a moment with her.
LISA
I can almost not believe the effort that they put into this party. I was thinking it felt like me going to my prom but now I know it feels this way. But I am not complaining because it is nice to see all these soldiers dressed up and it almost feels like home.
We walk over to a table and take a seat. I always loved to go to restaurants or parties or even weddings and just stare at the people, watching them. I guess it must have something to do with my profession. I like to analyze people.
But then as I stare at everyone around me, I see that man that has been haunting my thoughts and has not left my thoughts for a second. I thought he was looking good in his military uniform but now when I see him in a suit, I can feel myself slowly losing control.