#Chapter 108 – Rising to the Challenge

Our car ride home the next day is subdued. Ian stares out the window, a smile stuck on his face, clearly dreaming of Black Hawk helicopters and his future as a Navy SEAL. Alvin just naps. He loved our full tour this morning, of the barracks and the training courses. He didn’t have Ian’s full enthusiasm, but still had fun. Victor and I don’t have much to say to one another. I keep stealing glances at him from the front seat, but he’s silent, his brow drawn low over his eyes. Thinking, clearly. The rest of the evening was quiet and awkward after Edgar arrived. Victor had cleared his own throat, stood up quickly, and went inside with a brief goodnight. Edgar had sat down next to me, his face confused. “What’s happening between you two?” He asked, after I begged him to say something, anything. “Nothing,” I had breathed, desperate for him to believe it. “Just…old drama. Kid stuff. We are…so not.” He had looked at me then, studying my face for a long time. Then he had given me a