Just Your Average Military Girl (Chapter 1)

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Chapter 1.

When an average kid looses his or her last remaining parent they usually don’t recover for months, even years but when a military kid looses a parent it doesn’t even look like it. Why? This is because military kids are taught to not show any weakness as weakness can get you killed, regardless of the fact that they are truly breaking inside, the rule always applies.

My name is Aurora Simon. I have light brown hair that has hints of honey blonde, courtesy of my mother, with dark hazel eyes that almost look brown but when I cry (which has only happened twice in my life) they turn a bright green. I have an athlete’s body, which, in turn means I have muscles just about everywhere, not like a body builder but they have tone, including my lightly defined six-pack (very light), arms, legs and calves. This is all thanks to my father. I grew up living a normal life. I had a beautiful mother who had the kindest heart, she looked like me except with curves and she looked feminine.

Her name was Abigail Simon; she died when I was eleven though, because of a hit and run driver. My father was pretty upset about it, even though he didn’t show it. He was of high rank in the army, a lieutenant to be exact. His name is Walter Simon, he has black hair, with hints of gray in it, dark green eyes that only rarely showed emotion, he had a strong muscular build and was the hardest, toughest man I had ever met. To show weakness to him means that you are not worth his time and gender did not matter.

After my mother passed it was the hardest time for me, dealing with it, accepting it was nearly impossible. That was the only time I have ever cried. My father on the other hand was tough on the outside but I knew him well enough to know he was crumbling. My parents love was indescribable, he love her more than she would ever know and losing her cut him deep even though he didn’t want to admit it. Soon after he began to take his anger out on me. I remember the first day he came into my room. I was twelve.

*********
I woke to a sound knocking at my door, well more or less a banging sound. I looked at the clock and it said it was four o’clock. We live in the wetlands of Penrith, near the mountains, which means that it is constantly raining and so cold that it could probably turn juice into a Popsicle if you put it out long enough. Anyway back to present.
"Dad is that you?" I called. Suddenly the door swings open.
"Get up!" He yelled.
"Dad it’s four o’clock."
"Did I ask you what the time was? No now get up and get dressed!" Then he left. His face was so angry that it made me flinch. I got quickly out of bed and grabbed some clothes; my baggy grey shirt, track pants, jumper, my trusty beanie and a scarf. Once I was dressed and ready I grabbed my chucks, and decided not to bother with socks, as I probably won’t need them. I came downstairs and found the front door open, it was raining harder now and on the verge of hailing. I walked outside and found my father standing in the driveway facing the house.

"Dad? What’s going on? Where are we going?"
"Did I give you permission to speak soldier?!" He yelled.
"Dad I’m your daughter, I’m not one of your soldiers."
"Not today. Your training commences as of now!"
"What do you mean training?"
"You were not given permission to speak, drop and give me twenty!" He yelled at me. I looked at him in shock and realized that he actually meant what he said.
"You can’t be serious?"
"Does it look like I am kidding?"
I was frozen for a few minutes then dropped to my hands and knees and began doing push-ups.

"What kind of push-ups are those? I asked for real push-ups so give me real push-ups!" He screamed. I moved the weight from my knees to my toes and attempted at doing them.
"Pathetic you can’t even do a really push up. Well you can pay for it with you run."
"What?" I asked breathlessly. I was already tired from all the push-ups, keep in mind I am twelve.
"Get up and out of the dirt, we are going for a run." A sly smile crossed his face. He got into his car and reversed it so its side was facing me.
"You are going to follow this truck and by god if you don’t keep up then you will run even more. Get it?" I nodded my head slowly and cautiously.

He began to drive slowly. I didn’t know what to do so I started to run. Every once and a while he would increase the pace. I don’t know how long I ran but it felt like years. The sun was up and the birds were singing a happy tune but this was far from a happy day. I could feel the layers of skin were stripping off my feet, I was so cold and drenched and my legs felt like they were going to give way and probably never work again. My whole body was numb. He made me run at lest ten miles not including the run back.

I finally reached home, I struggled up the stairs but when I got to the patio I collapsed. My lungs feel like they were going to give way at any moment and my entire body was screaming in pain. My dad keeled down close to my ear.
"You think that was hard, you have no idea what I am going to do. I would be prepared solider, this is going to be the longest journey of your life." He whispered then he turned around and got in his car and left.

That is exactly what he says to his new recruits. I laid there for what felt like hours, I couldn’t physically move but I willed it to. My legs felt like they were going to collapse, but I kept on pushing until I got to the freezer. I pulled out about four bags of ice and slowly dragged it up the stairs towards the bathroom. I filled the bath with cold water and tipped the ice in. I knew everything there is to know about fixing wounds, aching muscles and I even know how to stitch wounds in four different ways. The one thing I was fully equipped in though was surviving. Once I filled the bath I slowly put my feet in. I started to take deep breaths as I slid into the tub.

"AHHHH!" I screamed as I was fully in the bath. I may know how to fix things but I have never had experience in it. I laid there waiting to get used to it but it wasn’t working and I knew it wouldn’t but all I could do is hope. The water slowly started to show red at the end of the bath due to my feet. I looked down at my chucks and most of it was stained with red blood. After about ten minutes I slowly climbed out of the tub and turned the shower on hot. It stung my skin once I got in but it was better than cold. My legs couldn’t even stand so I ended up sitting on the ground and I cried harder than I ever had because I knew that this wasn’t going to be the last time this happens.

*****
After that morning I slept for the day and the rest of the night until the next morning when it was time for round two but this time I was ready. Over the years it got worse and worse and my training schedules included running for a long time, weights, skipping, pull ups, sit ups and negatives with weights on my feet (start it pull up position at the top of the bar and gradually decrease by 10 or any number until your arms are straight). This explains the muscles that I have.

One day it all came to an end though, I was waiting at the front door for the daily training when my father hadn’t come down yet. I waited there for about half an hour and was a little frightened because this wasn’t like him. I walked up the stairs and into his room and I found him on the floor. I called 911 instantly and he was rushed to hospital. He had a heart attack and the doctors couldn’t revive him. I actually thought that the line "we did everything we can" was just in movies but apparently not. I didn’t cry though because my father had taught me not to show weakness. Even at the funeral I didn’t cry, when everyone else did, or after at the reception, I don’t even remember it that well. I was like a statue, no emotion. I kept on thinking that maybe if I wasn’t weak I would make him proud.

I am here now in the lawyers office going over his will, not something that really intrigues me, all I wanted to know was who would I be living with. I mean as much as I want to live alone I am not stupid enough to beg only to be said no to.

"Well Miss Simon, your father will states that a third of his money, which also includes your mothers will be donated to a charity that helps with soldiers who are recovering from war injuries."
"Okay." I said.
"The rest of his belongings and money, including the estate and your trust fund will be left to you."
I snapped my head up, "What? H-he actually left it all to me?"
"Yes…oh on one condition though. You will be given his assets and the house when you…join the army."

"What?!" I almost screamed. "Still from the grave he is trying to push me to-" I cut myself off taking deep breaths. I honestly didn’t care about the money but I won’t be able to get his things, mom’s things.
"So let me get this straight…I can’t live in the house or even take personal possessions from the house until I join the military."
"Yes that’s what the paper says Miss Simon."
"You have got to be kidding me."
"Well you are allowed to collect your items, clothing ect, which you will probably be needing for your new home."

"Right. Do you mind telling me where my new home is?"
"You will be staying with Mr and Mrs Stanley."
"The Stanley’s?" I asked surprised.
"Yes they are you god parents."
"No, right, I remember them." I haven’t seen the Stanley’s in years.
"Well their son Rodger will be picking you up tomorrow."
"Right."
"Well I can give you are ride back to your house if you would like?"
"No it’s okay. I’ll run."
"Run? It’s about five miles from here."
"I know. I’ll be fine."

I walked out of the office and started to run. Over the years I began to love running, the wind pushing itself against you. Running makes you feel so alive, like anything is possible. It makes me feel like if I run fast enough…nothing can touch me. I was there in record time. I went up stairs to my room and had a long shower before I began packing.

My house is pretty big but not overly big like a mansion. It had about five rooms, a library (which is the biggest room in the house) and also acted as my dad’s office, a kitchen, a lounge room, one large bathroom and two ensuites and an attic. The attic is my favourite part of the room because all my mother’s things are here. My dad packed them away when she died but I unpacked them, considering my dad never came up here it didn’t really matter. My room was the smallest in the house which I loved as I am not a fan of big spaces.

The room is plain with just a wardrobe, draws, a bed and a mirror. I grew out of the colorful theme a while back. I liked things that were plain and simple because they were always easy. It made packing a whole lot easier too. With in seconds I was packed. I walked out of my room and walked past the stairs on the right towards the door that led to the attic. I walked up the narrow and pretty much straight stairs to the top, all my mothers things laid there untouched. I walked over to the desk and picked up the framed picture of her and I, lying on the grass. It was black and white, plain and simple. I walked back down the stairs to my room, collapsed onto my bed and I slowly fell asleep.

There was a loud knock at the door and I jolted up out of bed. I looked at the clock and it said five o’clock in the morning, which is funny because I usually am awake by then. I get out of bed and walk down the stairs to the front door and pull it open. I looked up and almost gasped in shock. It was Rodger. I haven’t seen him since I was nine, when his parents and the rest of his family came to visit.

Rodger is the oldest out of the family. He is twenty-one and I am ashamed to say that I used to follow him around when I was younger because I had an insanely huge crush on him. He is pretty tall now, around 6"5, with a little muscle showing, and he still had those irresistible brown eyes. The thing that surprised me the most though was that he is a complete hippy. He has long dreadlocks, a bright green beanie on with a faded green shirt saying "Greenpeace is the only way" on it with long, cream coloured khaki pants on and flip flops.

"Aurora! It’s so good to see you!" He basically yelled then pulled me in for a big hug, which pretty much crushed me.
"Yeah Rodger, you too," he stepped back to look at me, "your looking really good. I see you’ve gone earthy now."
He looked down and laughed, "Yeah. My goal in life is to make the earth a better place you know. Stop litters, polluters and my life target to stop global warming."
"Well…ah…good luck with that."
"How have you been? Your dad dying must be pretty hard to take isn’t it?"
"I’m fine." He looked skeptical and I couldn’t blame him but once again I was taught to show no weakness.
"I’m sorry to come so early but we have like a four hour drive to the only ferry leaving for Russell’s island, it’s at ten thirty."
"That’s okay. I will just go get dressed and grab my bags."
"You just get dressed and I will grab your bags."
"Ah okay."

I led him to my room and pointed out the bags. I had a backpack that was full of my essentials, computer, and mp3 player, phone (even though its old, like black and white screen old and has like three peoples number on it) but like I said: plain and simple and I had my clothes for today as well as spears. I pulled out my black adidas hoody, dark blue jeans, my black chucks and a plain grey shirt and headed towards the bathroom. I changed quickly and went downstairs to finish of the cereal that has lasted me that past two weeks and the only food in the house. With all my things packed in the car, I locked up for the last time in I guess forever, considering the fact that I will never join the army. I almost cried but took a deep breath and steady myself. I got into the beat up red Volkswagen bug. I actually thought it was cute.

"I like your car." I said after he started to drive off.
"Thanks. It’s actually my first car. Got it when I was seventeen and had it ever since, granted it is old and is falling apart I think it has character you know, style."
"Right." I said and gave a small smile. I’m not really one to show emotions either, all apart of the hard exterior.
"I can’t believe you are all grown up. I keep on thinking you’re of the girl with pigtails and fairy wings not this tall, gorgeous women before me."
I forced a smile and I could feel myself blushing a little. I’m also not good with compliments either, or actually talking to people at all. I have my father to blame for that.
"You know you have really toned up, you have muscles everywhere. Do you do gymnastics or something."
"No I’m very much into running."

"Oh that explains it."
"So how is the family?" I asked, trying to get the subject off me.
"Oh they are great. I have seven little brothers and sisters now."
"There are eight of you?" I said in disbelief. I don’t actually remember there being eight.
"Yes surie. There is me of course, then Julia who is nineteen-"
"Yeah I remember Julia."
"Marshall who is seventeen- Do you remember Marshall?"
"Ah yeah, he…was my first kiss."
"Really? He never told me that. Anyway there is Francesca and Lauren the fifteen-year-old twins. Evan, he is a thirteen year old genies and Mary-Lou who is nine and Spud who is four."
"Spud?"
"Well his actual name is Spencer but we call him spud."
"Oh."
"Yeah he really likes potatoes." I gave him one small smile and turned forward.

I sat there mostly in silence the rest of the trip, while Rodger talked about nothing in particular. I said an occasionally "yes" and "really" but that was about it. Communicating is not really one of my strong points. In fact if I were just to be locked up in a house with no communication from the outside world I think would be better for everybody. Have you ever been in the quiet? Sat in a room with no sound but the occasional intake of breath. Personally I prefer it. You are able to think and just be without anything distracting you, just living with you and your thoughts. For me it’s my idea of bliss.

We eventually got to the ferry; just before it was about to leave I might add. Rodger drove the car onto the ferry and there were many looks towards our way, because of the loud engine and the constant explosions coming from the back of the car. We both got out of the car and Rodger went up these stairs to go to the cafe room. I however went to the front of the boat, as I have never actually been on a ferry, or boat, I wanted to see what it was like. I walked over to the very front of the ferry. It was traveling pretty fast and it jumped a few times because of the waves. The water was an icy blue and looked quite rough today. I looked straight ahead and in the distance was the outline of the Island. The wind pushed my hair back and it felt like I was running with the wind pushing against me, trying to force me back. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply with the smell of the ocean running through me and I could almost taste the salt.

"Hey I brought you a coffee." Rodger said. I jumped slightly and turned to my side seeing the cup in his hand. I reached my hand out and took it.
"Thanks." I said. I don’t really drink coffee but I didn’t want to be rude. I sipped it and made a face at the bitter taste. Rodger laughed beside me.
"I guess you don’t like coffee then. Sorry I just thought you would."
"It’s okay. It’s the thought that counts." I gave him my now routinely small smile. I saw him studying me and to be honest it creped me out so I turned to face the ocean again.
"Your different than you used to be. I mean you were nine but you were so loud, so full of life but now you’re so quiet and reserved."

I didn’t bother responding. I knew I was different to but responding would only bring on more statements, more assumptions and I didn’t want to talk about.
"I’m sorry if that was out of line…I just noticed and- sorry."
"It’s okay." This was one of the many phrases that have accompanied me over the past month.
"Here try this." He said after a moment of aw quid silence. I turned and he was handing his cup over to me.
"What is it?"
"It’s a Chi Tea. I think you will like it a lot more than the coffee."
I hesitated at first then accepted it. I took a small sip and it wasn’t as bad as the coffee although it wasn’t the best drink I had, it also wasn’t the worst.
"Thanks."

It took two hours to get from the mainland to Russel’s Island. We got into the car and drove off the ferry with once again people looking at us. I honestly didn’t really care but it was the principle of the thing. We passed houses that were big, small, long and tall. They were all different sizes and shapes and the only thing they actually had in common...they were all colourful. Every house had different colours or patterns; there was one house that had different coloured stripes running down it, which kind of reminded me of a clown house.

Eventually we reached a house that was light blue with red shutters and a big red door. It was at least three stories high but it wasn’t big in width. There were toys all on the front yard with skateboards and bikes in the driveway. It looked like an actual home. We pulled into it and I realized this was the home that I will be living in for the next year. My birthday is in June so I will be eighteen and legal to live on my own. Anyway we pulled into the drive way and Rodger and I get out of the car. I sling the backpack over my shoulder and we walk up the stairs that led to the front door.
"Ahh!" Rodger says as he slips on a skateboard. I take a step forward and grab him before he slams his head on the ground. I push him back up to his feet. He turns and looks at me stunned for a moment.
"Nice reflexes." He says obviously stunned.
"Thanks."
"No, no, thank you."
He smiles and walks towards the front door, grasping his hand around the knob and turning it, to reveal "my new family".