"The first phase of Training is over and we're moving on to Phase two. Phase two is all about hand-to-hand combat, how to take out bad guys if you get a little too close, and, now that your bodies are conditioned, we might be able to teach you how to do easy stunts. But if your interested in stunts, do it on your own time 'cuz the rest of us have too many things to do," Vidia explained. It was now our third month in the Division and two weeks ago, I was asked to take a bunch of junk to the Storage Room. While I was putting the various boxes on the shelves, one of them ripped open. To my surprise, it was full of old books. As I was cleaning up, I realized that all of the books were about how to survive the military. My curiosity got the best me and I found one that was all about do-it-yourself stunts. Since then, I've been practicing every chance I get. On one of these occasions, I was interrupted. I was trying to learn how to land in a somersault and take out your opponent by knocking them off of their feet with a single kick. I had already mastered the somersault, I just needed the knocking off part. I landed perfectly for the eighth time when someone's feet stopped in front of me. I had no intention of being laughed at, so I somersaulted away from them and tried again, but to my disappointment, they followed me.

"Your not doing it right," a man's voice said.

"Clearly," I answered as I did it again using a different method.

"Your never going to take someone out that way," he stated the obvious.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence, but for your information," I attempted another one, "I'm still learning."

"Let me show you what happens when you do it wrong," he offered. Before I could object, he kicked my leg back, which automatically flung me onto my back, taking the breath out of me in the process, and used his arm to pierce my neck to the ground. Whatever breath was left in me quickly vanished when I saw his face.

"Commander Howlett! What are you doing here?" I breathed.

"Thought I'd check up on my best Squad of Cadets," he answered arrogantly. I laid my head back and tried to relax as I regained my breath.

"You gave me quite the scare," I said as I looked up into his eyes. We suddenly realized how close we really were to each other. Commander Howlett released his arm from my neck and laid his hands on either side of the ground next to me. We sat there staring at each other as I tried to regain my breath.

"Commander Howlett," Vidia so looted, "It's an honor to see you again." She gave me a confused look that made Commander Howlett quickly stand and help me up.

"Thanks for the professionalism, but I'm on break." Howlett so looted back, gave a small glance in my direction, and realizing that I had never taken my eyes off of him, I ended the awkward moment to get water. A few minutes later, Commander Howlett was back at my side. "What's all this about?" he asked as he threw a sweat towel at me and held up the stunt book.

"I needed something fun to do," I answered as I wiped my face and neck with the towel.

"Is Training getting boring for you?"

"No! I, I don't know, this whole thing is..." I trailed off in thought.

"You can't be doing this Sarah. They'll find you before you even know what happened," Commander Howlett warned.

"But Vidia said we could as long as we did it on our own time," I argued.

"Sure, but your not like the others, your different." I didn't know what to say to that, but I knew what I wanted.

"Then teach me, because you obviously know more than I do when it comes to this stuff."

"I can't do that," Howlett said.

"Why not?" I asked angrily.

"I just can't all right?" he said haughtily. There was more to this than what he was telling me and I knew that this wasn't the time to ask questions. We stood there in confused, defeated silence and I walked away because I felt like it was the best thing to do, but he continued to follow me and I wanted to know why.

"Wait, I already know," I thought. "Nah, that would be against the rules and I'd let it get in the way of my training," I thought. I rolled my eyes at my own stupid desires knowing that I couldn't have it. There was just no way, even if he felt the same. Commander Howlett followed me all the way back to my quarters.

"It's too quiet," he said.

"How? There's always the usual noise and bustle of people no matter what Division your in," I said.

"I meant without you around, it's too quiet," Commander Howlett said. I looked at him in astonishment. Could this really be happening, especially after I convinced myself it couldn't?

"I-"

"You don't need to say anything. I just wanted you to know," he quickly explained.

"I was thinking the same thing about you the other day, how it's not the same without you around," I still wasn't entirely sure this was really happening, but I took a shot anyway.

"I was not  expecting that," he said slowly in equal disbelief. "Are you...flirting with me?" he asked with a slight hint of a grin.

"No, not at all. Isn't it against the rules for a Cadet and a Commander to do that?" I asked innocently.

"Since when have you been known to follow the rules?" he asked sarcastically and we both laughed at the idea. "But you're right, technically, I couldn't do that," Howlett confirmed.

"That's too bad," I said sadly, without thinking. He nodded in agreement and the silence between us returned. I didn't want to go inside, but at the same time, I didn't want to be in this awkward spot.

"Look at the time! I have my own training session to get to," Commander Howlett said, pointing to his watch. I gazed at his huge, muscled arms as he walked out of sight before I headed inside. A hand on my shoulder stopped me.

"Who was that?" Alice asked. I gave her a hard look.

"Who? I didn't see anybody," I asked politely and Alice smiled knowingly.

"I can tell when you're lying Sarah and I'll bet twenty bucks that was the Commander." I had been caught and I gave her my "defeated" look. "Ha! I told you! What did he say?"

"It was nothing," I said trying not to smile.

"Come on, I know it was something! I can see it on your face," Alice poked.

"Alright! You caught me and nothing really happened, at least, not what you were thinking."

"Then why did he follow you all the way back here?" Alice asked.

"You saw that?!"

"Yeah, a few people did, actually. Bella was a little jealous and honestly, I can't say that I blame her."

"I can't be doing this," I said as I threw the sweat towel into my laundry basket.

"Why not? Howlett has the hots for you, so what? There's nothing to be ashamed of," Alice said.

"So what? If people see us together like that, they'll know something's up, word will spread fast, and me and him could get in trouble!" I explained.

"Why? I don't see what the problem is if two people are in love. If anything, it gives those who have nothing some hope," she explained. I rubbed my hand across my face.

"You know what happens to me when I go crazy about a guy. It takes over and I can't focus. If I let that happen, how am I supposed to complete my training?" I pointed out.

"I think you're afraid," Alice stated.

"Why?" I asked offended.

"Because you don't want this relationship to end like the last one did," she answered. I shook my head.

"It's not because of that," I mumbled.

"I get it, you haven't gotten over Peter yet," Alice said understandingly.

"It is not  because of him," I said hastily.

"Yes, it is. I mean look at you, you can't even say his name without blowing up."

"That  is not any of your business," I started.

"Maybe it isn't, but I'm trying to help you," Alice pleaded.

"I don't need your help Alice, I can get by on my own," I said.

"OH REALLY? WHO'S DRAGGED YOU OUT OF EVERY SINGLE PROBLEM YOU GOT YOURSELF INTO?" Alice raised her voice.

"THAT'S BECAUSE I LET YOU! IT WAS BETTER THAN HAVING MY PARENTS MAD AT ME!" I argued. A small crowd started forming in the hallway, since I had left my door open.

"AND WHAT ABOUT THE TWO D'S YOU GOT ON YOUR REPORT CARD FRESHMAN YEAR? HMM? I FORGED YOUR PARENTS SIGNATURE FOR YOU ON THE ORIGINAL AND  PHOTOSHOPPED THE FAKE!" Alice fought back.

"WHAT ELSE WAS I SUPPOSED TO DO? I COULDN'T BEAR TO SEE MY MOTHER'S FACE IF SHE KNEW!" The few members of the crowd that semi-knew me gasped and whispered.

"SURE YOU COULD! SHE WOULD'VE FORCED YOU INTO TUTORING BUT YOU CARED MORE ABOUT YOUR REPUTATION!" Alice yelled, followed by the crowd's ooh.

"I WAS STUPID BACK THEN!" I defended myself as the crowd continued to grow.

"WHEN PETER BROKE UP WITH YOU ONLY THREE DAYS BEFORE HE LEFT FOR THIS MISERABLE MILITARY LIFE AND YOU CRIED YOURSELF TO SLEEP FOR HOW MANY WEEKS WAS IT, TWO? NO, MAKE THAT THREE! WHO WAS THERE TO COMFORT YOU? I WAS! AND TO THINK THAT I ACTUALLY JOINED ALL OF THIS BECAUSE I WANTED TO MAKE SURE SOMEONE WAS HERE TO LOOK AFTER YOU!" The crowd continued to make comments, but I paid no attention to them.

"THAT WAS YOUR OWN DAMN MISTAKE! I'VE SURVIVED JUST FINE WITH AND WITHOUT YOU SINCE I GOT HERE!" I shouted back. Commander Howlett hurriedly pushed his way through the immense crowd of people.