Free Falling

Chapter 6: High Tensions

Despite being out so late with Bob the previous night, Annabelle found herself wide awake well before she was due to be at training. Her mind was still reeling from the date last night. The feeling of her hand in Bob's was as if the two were made for each other. His hands were soft and warm, and she had felt the urge more than once to plant small kisses on his knuckles throughout the night. And those lips. The restraint she had shown at the end of the night was perhaps her most impressive feat to date. Even more so than her freefall maneuver. A vibration from her phone on the nightstand grabbed Annabelle's attention forcing her to sit up in bed, which would inevitably end with her getting ready for the day far sooner than necessary. Her face lit up as she unlocked her phone to read the message. It was from her mom. Weird. Normally she'd just call. 

Hi honey. Hope training is going well. We are having a family barbeque this weekend. We'd like you to come since you're in town. Haven't seen you in a while. Missing you. 

Hi mama. Training is fine. Don't know if I'll be able to make it. Will all depend on the training schedule. I'll let you know. Missing you and dad too. 

Annie. You need to come to the barbeque. 

Annabelle stared down at the last text from her mother somewhat confused. Her mother never spoke like this. What was so important about a barbeque? Then it hit her. A strong gasp left her lips as her eyes immediately began to fill with tears. She covered her mouth with one hand, hoping to lessen the volume of her cries. 

"No, God, please no. Not this, anything but this." She wasn't sure how long it took her to regain her composure, but when the tears had finally dried up and her breathing was back to normal, she found it in her to respond to her mother, then prepare for the day ahead. 

I'll be there. I promise.

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Annabelle had gotten into the habit of being the first trainee to arrive for briefings every morning. So, when she walked into the classroom to find Rooster already sitting in his designated seat, she was caught off guard. The two still hadn't spoken since her freefall incident, and quite frankly, she had completely forgotten about the whole thing in the midst of her date with Bob last night. They needed to hash it out though before they got any further in training. Fighting wasn't going to solve anything between them personally, and it sure as hell wasn't going to do them any good up in the air professionally. The slight turn of Rooster's head as she approached indicated he heard her coming in; the way it turned away from her yet again indicated he was still upset with her. But Annabelle had no energy for such immaturity today. 

"Rooster. We need to talk."

"I've already said everything I need to say to you." 

"So, what then? That's it? I scare you one day in a training session, and you decide you never want to speak to me again? Friendship over?" Rooster showed no sign that he had heard a word she said. Annabelle couldn't do this today. She couldn't lose her best friend the same day she found out she'll be losing something even greater soon enough. She decided to change tactics and moved to sit in the seat next to him. 

"Rooster, I'm sorry. I understand why you're upset. Yes, my freefall move is dangerous, and I know I shouldn't be using it. I just wanted to stand out. I wanted to win. And you're right, maybe I didn't put Phoenix and Bob in danger the other day, but I potentially could have had I done that in a real dogfighting scenario. I'm sorry I scared you. But you scared me just as bad yesterday when you got yourself into that cobra maneuver with Maverick. Your anger and stubbornness could have gotten you killed, and I was so mad that you would chew me out for risking my life when you turned and did the same thing. You're my best friend, Rooster. Hell, you're my brother. I can't lose you. Especially not if I have to stand on the sidelines and watch it happen completely helpless." Rooster remained silent for a while, worrying Annabelle more and more with each passing second. But when he finally turned to face her, Annabelle knew they'd be okay.