Lisa was panting hard after running through an obstacle course in which she had to run, climb over, crawl under, balance and jump. This had become a part of her daily exercise routine. She would set a specific time frame as a goal, in which she would have to finish running through the course. Whenever she failed to reach the end of the course within the set time frame, she would start all over again until she succeeded.
"Oh crap, Lisa, you're too fast. How could you improve so much? We were so left behind. Look, my body is shaking..." Lana said, also panting really hard.
She had finished the final obstacle just a few minutes after Lisa. She had tried to compete with Lisa to prove that she still had what it takes to perform an active soldier duty, just like real soldiers, and to show that she would be of great use to the team. However, she was just no match for Lisa.
May was the last one to finish. She put her hands on her hips as her chest rose and fell with rapid breaths. After a moment of trying hard to calm her breathing, she spread her sweaty body on the grass next to Lana.
"I think you need to lose more weight, May. You were too slow. You might slow down the whole group if you don't improve," Lana remarked, while looking at May. Lana was a straightforward person. She was not afraid to speak her mind and tell it like it is.
May scoffed and said, "Well, maybe I don't have to go on the frontline during the mission. Maybe I could act as a lookout or take on any other roles that won't require me to be that close to the enemy. I could also just stay behind and do all the necessary reporting works for the base…"
Lana was right. She was too slow. She was sure that she would be the first to get caught if she was to join a risky operation during the mission. She would only be a burden to the team.
They were startled by the loud sound of Drey's hands clapping as he shouted, "Get up! Quick! Who told you girls to slack? Get up and run more! Geez May, I told you this thing is serious and a burden is the least thing we need..."
May's nostrils flared as she sat herself up and quickly retorted at Drey with her glaring eyes, "Dammit, Drey! Cut me some slack, will you? I know my own limitations, okay? Don't worry, I'll avoid any risky work. Besides, I can help with the operation in many other ways, and you bet I will help wherever I could! Whatever it is, I won't let myself be a burden, okay?"
Drey laughed at May's irritated state and sat down beside her. "It's been a while since I last saw that murderous look of yours… Tell me, do you cook your dishes with that expression on your face? Because I'm sure it will affect the taste..." Drey said jokingly.
Lisa laughed at their banters. She then moved towards them and sat herself down next to Lana.
She heard Lana sigh. Then Lana asked her, "Is he worth it?"
Lisa's face lit up as she turned her head towards Lana and smiled. It was a smile as lovely as a pink spring radiating from her dazzling and beautiful face. It was a smile so sweet, it could capture anyone's heart.
There were no more words needed. Lana knew that Lisa had answered her with a big 'YES' with that smile.
She saw a lock of Lisa's hair loosely covering her cheek, so she held out a hand to tuck it behind Lisa's ear. She then nodded and said, "Hm, I guess he is worth it then… For you to risk your life like this."
"Well, aren't you risking your life for me too?" Lisa said as she stared at Lana.
"Yeah, but that's different. You are not only my best friend, you are like a sister to me. The sister that I got to choose. We all grew up together, and to me you guys are siblings. The siblings God forgot to give me. Our bond is thicker than blood, and so I would do anything for you, for any of you…" explained Lana.
