Ch.7 | Oopsie

Riley

"You bitch." He hissed, the rest of his face turning red.

"Maybe try being polite." I scoffed and turned towards my cabin, ready to pack up and go.

But Derek's hand wrapped around my wrist stopped me. I curled my hand into a ball and turned towards him.

"You think you get to hit me and get away with it? Why cause you're a chick?" He laughed without humor.

Derek tightened his grip and I could feel the bruise already forming.

"Private Wilson, is there an issue here?" My head snapped towards Perish who was now watching Wilson with a stare I had never seen before.

"Ye-"

"No sir, no issue here." I smiled and pulled my hand from Wilson, if Perish wasn't standing there he wouldn't have let go.

"Private Wilson?" Perish ignored me and continued to hold his stare on the douchebag next to me.

I looked over at Derek and he looked from me to Perish before shaking his head.

"Good," Perish walked over to Derek,"Never lay hands on another soldier or I will have you kicked out faster then you can say your name." Perish nodded at me then returned to directing soldiers.

Thanks I guess?

•••

I managed to pack up three bags worth of crap from my cabin. Looking at all of my clothes made me realize I'd need to revamp my wardrobe.

And buy furniture, decor, groceries, a washer and dryer, and about everything else you need in an apartment.

I groaned at the amount of money that'd be drained from my bank account. I attempted to juggle all three bags between two arms.

I made it to the front gates before they all slowly fell off of my shoulders to the ground.

"Fan-fucking-tastic." I bent over and began picking up the bags and apparently items that had fallen out. The government really gave us the best quality bags.

"Earningst, A solider should have a put together act always." Perish crouched down, helping me gather the bags.

Why did he always just show up?

I watched him grab an item and throw it in the bag, zipping it up after. His hazel eyes looking up and meeting mine, catching me off guard.

"Sorry,Sir." I stood, feeling heat on my cheeks. Stupid face.

"Leo Perish. Not sir." Perish handed me the bag and I piled it onto my shoulder once more.

"Perish." I smiled and he returned it, sadly though, as fast as It had appeared it had disappeared.

"Riley," I extended my arm halfway to offer him a handshake.

"We already know each other?" Leo, Perish, cocked an eyebrow at me, slowly taking my hand in his.

He didn't let go and I could feel my heart speed up. Would it do this everytime I had physical contact with a new male?

"True, but not on first name bases. So, Leo Perish, nice to officially meet you." I smiled and gently shook his hand.

"And same to you, Riley Earningst." Leo ran a hand through his thick dirty brown hair, causing a loose strand to fall onto his forehead.

"Sergeant, They're now loading your squad onto bus 3. You guys will be staying on the Portal Air force base." A man who I was unfamiliar with briefed Leo on todays plans.

I took the opportunity to get to the bus and load my things, which was a lot harder when the storage on the bus was already filled.

I felt my stress levels rising already and I hadn't boarded the bus.

•••

Portland was a lot farther then I had thought.

3 hours into the bus ride and I had wanted to sacrifice myself to some terrorists.

"Dude, There's going to be so many babes in Portland. I can't wait to get some tail." Private douchebag from earlier was discussing all of the half naked chicks he'd hoped to see, once more.

Men were no longer attractive.

I rolled my eyes and leaned my head against the window, hoping to catch a quick nap. Tonight would be grueling with trying to find our living spaces. Not to mention, figuring out living arrangements.

"Can't believe they let a princess in here." One of my squad mates whispered behind me, no doubt talking about me.

Why must they insult me? Had I attacked them personally at some point?

"No clue. She'll be out within a few weeks though. Can't have décor preventing actual soldiers from doing their jobs." Wilson, Only voice I could put a name to, spoke this time.

Now, I get why he'd be salty.

I dug my nails into the palm of my hand, the stinging bringing me some comfort. I wasn't exactly sensitive but I wasn't a fan of being harassed based on my gender or looks either.

"You guys are really that jealous, huh?" This time, my eyes snapped open to see Davis turned around looking at the group.

"Im sorry sir, Jealous?" Wilson looked at him confused. I could tell I was doing the same.

"She's a far better shot then most of you combined, She's intelligent and can use her brain, she completed training without having to be corrected or redo any of the exercises." Davis shrugged and turned around in his seat.

I knew my face was red again. I needed to get makeup or medicine to make this stop.

"Its okay, Lads. I'd be Jealous too if I had gotten outshined by a chick." Leo was in the row across from me, watching me as he spoke.

"We did just as well. She didn't 'outshine' us,Sir." Another man from the back spoke.

Were they all against me?

This would make the rest of my career a shitshow.

I kept my gaze on Leo who nodded at me.

I took a page out of his book and cocked an eyebrow at him. He slightly pointed at my hand and I looked down to see blood dripping onto my olive green uniform.

I guess I should cut my nails.