"It's this mission where we have to blow up a underground chemical plant that could spark more tension if explodes on it's own. We have to train constantly because it's likely we won't make it all back." She shrugs, but I could tell she was weary of the mission.
My heart sinks as I look over at him. That's what it was, the feeling. My intuition was telling me not to get attached because he may not come back from this mission. Why didn't he tell me?
He isn't obligated to tell me, it's not like I'm his girlfriend or anything.
"Wait, he didn't tell you?" She asks. Shaking my head, I look back to her. "Fuck. I'm so sorry if I just-." She rambled.
"No, no. You're okay. No worries." I shake off the feeling before plastering a fake smile on my face.
"I have hope you guys will pull through safe and sound." I nod, trying to convince myself.
•••
For the rest of the night, I put as much distance as I could between Bradley and I. Although he didn't have to tell me, it hurt that he didn't. Throughout the night, my mind was racing with the possible end of our...fling? Is that what you could call it? We obviously had feelings for each other, but we never truly acted on it. Sure, he'd kiss me on the forehead or whatever but he hasn't kissed me either. What if he's just using this to get his mind off of the mission, to keep sane?
"I have to use the bathroom." I blurt, moving away from the system's computer and making my way towards the bathrooms.
"Rae, hey-." Brad's voice pipes up behind me above the chaos. "Can't talk." I quicken my pace before feeling a gentle hand grab my elbow.
"Why're you avoiding-."
"Bradley, I'm not avoiding you, I'm just busy." I avoid his eyes, motioning to the crowd as he turns me towards him.
"You used my full name, and you won't even look at me." He tilts his head so he was directly in my line of view. His eyes were soft and concerned, but I couldn't back down.
"Why didn't you tell me about the mission?"
His eyes darken at my words, hardening as he straightened his posture. "How'd you find out?" He drops his hand from my elbow, crossing his arms over his chest.
Mimicking his movements, I stared up at him. His nostrils flared as he looked back at Phoenix.
"We're you just gonna go off on the mission one day and not tell me, maybe die in the process?" I whisper-shout, considering the customers and my coworkers bustling around us. Victoria slips past us, rushing out a quick 'excuse me.'
A angry sigh leaves his lips as he grabs my wrist, beginning to lead me outside.
"Bradley, I'm working. I can't just leave to argue." I pulled my wrist out of his grip. His body spins towards me abruptly, his frame towering over me.
"We're not done." His eyes stare into mine coldly.
Deciding to give him the last word, for now, I push past him and back to the bar. It's not too long until we close, I could use the bathroom later.
"What was that about?" Cora asks as I rejoin them behind the bar, nodding towards Bradley who was angrily standing next to his friends.
"Nothing." I shrug, turning my attention to the customers.
•••
Finally, the bar was filtering out. The Aviators were still having a good time, playing pool. Although, I hadn't heard Rooster's laugh in awhile.
Shaking my nerves off, I grabbed a wash rag and began wiping down the bar tables.
All of a sudden, I felt a hand wrap around my forearm before pulling me towards the porch. Dropping the rag on the table, I follow after Bradley. My legs stumbled behind Bradley, relying on him. Although he was dragging me behind him, his hand wasn't tight or harsh around my arm. It was still gentle, but firm.
"Are you-."
"I told you we're not done." The door slams behind us as he whips around, dropping my arm in the process.
"Fine, you want to talk about it so badly? Why didn't you tell me about this mission?" I cross my arms, looking up at him.
"I didn't have to." He rests his hands on his hips.
"Are you serious? You pull me out here-." I argue, but he cuts me off.
"I just wanted something to be different from my work life, alright! Everything I've done until now was to get to where I am now, I just wanted one thing that had nothing to do with flying F-18's. You are the one thing that has nothing to do with the Navy, and I wanted it to stay that way."
My heart sinks at his words. He had a fair point, I'd give him that. But was he was just going to keep leading me on until he left...with the possibility of never coming back?
"You know, maybe it was for the best I found out before I got too attached." I sigh, looking out over the ocean.
"Wait, what? What do you mean?" He asks, his voice lowering.
"I think we both know what I mean." I sigh, my heart breaking at my decision. If he was just going to leave the whole time, why would that change now?
When he didn't reply, I turned on my heel to walk back inside with tears in my eyes.
YOU ARE READING
•clueless•
Fanfiction"Why did you make me fall in love with you when you're about to leave for a mission you may not even come back from?" I exclaim, my throat burning as I fought the urge to cry. "Do you seriously think I wanted to fall in love right before I left? Fa...
