Ch.1 | Red, White, & Blue.

Riley

"Riley, you missed a spot on this fork. Disgusting." My mother scoffed and scratched at a spot on her salad fork.

I rolled my eyes, she could always help with the dishes. I watched as my family all started fiddling with their utensils, their faces grimacing with disgust.

"You guys serious?" I asked, very annoyed. They did this everyday and everyday the utensils were spotless.

My mother was just a drama bomb.

"Haven't you learned how to clean these by now, sissy?" My little brother, Timothy, chimed in today.

He's walking a thin line with me these days. Always blaming me for his mistakes. 14 year olds always got what they wanted.

I was 19, still living at home, unemployed, and struggling to stay afloat in this stuck up home.

"Riley, Since you're done eating," My father looked from me to my very full plate, "Can you run to the sporting goods store?"

I cocked an eyebrow at him and he pulled out two twenty dollar bills, then proceeded to hand them to me.

"What for?" I asked and cautiously took the money.

"I need new clubs. They've already been picked out. The store manager is keeping them locked up." He waved for me to leave without any further explanation and I sighed.

I guess no breakfast for me today.

•••

The walk to the store was always a hassle. The roads were utter garbage. Potholes and gravel lined them.

Along with drunk drivers and crackheads. This town sucked.

I finally made it to the store and pushed through the glass doors, a bell ringing ahead.

"Welcome to Abe's Sporting Goods!" A peppy cherry waved as I entered.

Great, the usual guy wasn't working. Wonder if she'd be as hollow headed as she seemed.

I fiddled with the cash in my hands as I approached her counter, "Hey, where's Jimmy?" I asked politely, flashing her a concerned smile.

I was nice when it came to dealing with people.

Sometimes.

"Oh he's out sick today! I'm his sister, Lizzie." She extended her hand for me to shake and I gently did so.

"Riley. He blowin chunks or some?" I chuckled and her face grimaced with disgust.

"Can I help you with something?" Lizzie asked, sounding offended.

Did I say something wrong?

"Can you actually grab my father's golf clubs for me? It should be under Daniel Earningest." I handed her my ID and she nodded, retreating to a back room.

I took the time to admire the store. It was quite beautiful but too fancy for our neighborhood- and for a sports store.

I scanned over the racks, just the same windbreakers and shoelaces. Lame.

I slowly skimmed past a booth in the corner of the store and my head snapped back. It was a green camo based booth. New vendor?

"Here you go, Miss Riley. That'll be $35.56." She sat the clubs on the side of the counter and I placed the cash on the counter, turning back towards the booth.

"Hey Lizzie, what's the booth for?" I asked but she was too busy counting change, and messing up, to respond.

2 uniformed men sat behind the booth. I felt my face heat up when I realized the one was watching me like a hawk.

Was he bent? What kinda creeper watches someone?

"$1.45 is your change, Have a good day." She flashed me a cheerleader like smile and I nodded, picking up the clubs and sliding the bag on my back.

The booth had intrigued me enough to earn a visit from yours truly.

I slowly made my way over, reading the name as I closed in.

"Oregon Military."

The army maybe?

"Good morning, Miss." One of the uniformed men greeted me as I approached the booth. I smiled and returned the greeting.

The one who was eye-stalking me trained his eyes on a black book in front of him.

Hello to you too.

"You interested in enlisting, Ma'am?" The first one asked and I couldn't respond.

I had never put any thought into something like this. It would be pretty sick to be a military babe.

Although, I don't think I'm cut out for it.

"She looks like a candyass, Davis. Don't waste your breath." The stalker spoke, his deep voice startling me. Did he eat nails for breakfast?

I scrunched my eyebrows together at his remark, "Excuse me, Sergeant?" I peaked over at his name tag.

Perrish. Why had that sounded so familiar?

"Sergeant Perrish." The other man answered, Davis.

"Sergeant Perrish, Have we met before?" I asked, smiling at the very rude boy in front of me.

Id call him a man but he had the mannerisms of a boy.

"No." His one word response sent shivers down my spine.

"Thought so. Maybe don't make assumptions about gals you don't know." I turned towards Davis,"What exactly does this offer? Are there benefits? What are the requirements for enlistment?" I began firing off questions before my brain had a second to react.

I felt my cheeks heat up but they didn't seem bothered.

"Are you over 18?" Davis asked, I nodded.

"Do you have a criminal record?" Another question, I shook my head this time.

"Any crippling medical issues?" This one stunned me for a second.

I had asthma, not crippling though.

"Nope." I smiled and pushed a loose strand of brown hair away from my face.

I needed a haircut.

"Then you meet the requirements. If you choose to enlist, you'd receive free health coverage - eyes, general health, and dental. Free housing on base, and the rest depend on if you picked active duty or not." Davis handed me a pamphlet and I gently accepted the piece of paper.

This didn't sound half bad.

"Where do I sign up?"