Abdullah Williams
New member
Introduction:
I didn't know where it began. All I know was that I was on the plane to the basic training facility in Phoenix, Arizona. I don't know how it happened. Mom told me I would end up in the military. Dad said I was a wimp and needed the discipline. Either way, I was suprized by my train of thoughts.
My own thoughts were the basic 18 year old's: a car, money, a good job, a girl, and a family. I guess I got distracted somewhere along the line. The military just sort of, I don't know, rushed into my thoughts. I'm sure it was impulse, or because I wanted to impress my brother.
I looked out the window. The clouds blocked me from seeing anything of any importance. I was uncomforatble sitting next to the twelve year old next to me. He hadn't said a word and was looking around as if in a trance. He was sipping a coke and I wondering if it was a caffine reaction.
Hi, I am Mike the boy said.
Hello Mike I replied, with certainty that he was nervous about the flight.
This must have been his first plane ride, because he asked me a few questions someone who rode on a plane before should know.
He tried to make some small talk, but failed to pull me into his seemingly endless energy pool. I kept quiet and tried to watch the inflight movie. It was Infamous, which, while not a great movie, was better than making small talk with a twelve year old.
I must have dozed off, because I was in Pheonix and Infamous was at the credits.
I got of the plane and I grabbed my carry-on. I could only imagine the look on my brother's face. He had something about him that could make me smile without him even being there. I hailed a taxi and was on my way to the Redemption hotel, when I realized that Pheonix was hot as h***. It wasn't like the normal, cool and crisp Massachusetts air I was used to.
When we arived at the hotel, the manager said Captain Sanders had left me a schedule of where to go when to get on the bus to basic training. I had one week. I figured I should do some sightseeing while I had the chance. The first thing I wanted, was something to eat.
With the aid of my room's computer, I managed to find a resturant called West Oak Italian and I called a delivery of some Speghetti and Meatballs supream with a Coke and some cinna ice bread sticks.
It was the last positive moment of my life, for the phone call I got right after my delicious meal was one that changed my life... For Ever.
Chapter One: The Nickname.
I was on the bus. I didn't know it would come so soon. A week felt like a few hours. And I was, of course, sunburned.
I didn't complain though. I easily could have been whiny about it, but that wasn't the first impression I wanted to leave. They took all of my electronic devices, as well as everyone else's to make sure we focused our entire basic training. We were almost silent. Some other recruits were chattering away, but I was more silent that a single mouse in a empty house at night.
Hey, man! I am talking to you! You got your head in the clouds? said one of the other recruits to me.
Sorry. I, uh, spaced out there for a second. I said.
What's your name? I'm Donald.
I shrugged. Private Inter **I-ne-ter** ( Ine as in spine )
Private Inter, huh? he started, I'm gonna call you Cloud, okay?
Why? I asked kind of weirded out by the nature of the nickname.
Because you always have high your head in the clouds. You even spaced when you were talking to my brother Matthew. He told me.
He is your brother? He sure is... energetic. I remarked.
Yeah, that's Matthew. Can't stand the kid sometimes. Can't believe mom made me bring him with me to take him to his aunt's. He loves aunt Dana. He's her favorite out of my siblings, and she makes sure EVERYONE knows it. He commented.
You have other siblings? I asked.
Yeah. Two Brothers, one older, and Matthew, and 1 sister, Gina, and she's 10. How about you Cloud, any bros or sisters?
No. I said coldly.
What's with the ice tone Cloud? he asked.
Oh, it's nothing. I made a convicing face, and he bought it.
Pretty soon, we were there, and Donald and I were like best friends. Donald sure does work fast with spreading nicknames, because as soon as the drive was over, everybody on the bus besides the driver was calling me Cloud.
I was starting to like that Nickname. I had a feeling it would stick for good.
Chapter Two: Donald's Nickname
I am your drill instructor, Lieutenant Summers. You sorry, worthless, maggots will be MEN when I get through with you. Summers said.
Sir, Yes Sir we replied in unison.
He looked us over, and stopped and commented on each individual.
You have bad posture.
Your breath smells your my ar**
What is your name private? He bellowed in my face.
Private Cloud Inter, Sir I replied.
Where ya from, Cloudy? He Bellowed
I didn't know where it began. All I know was that I was on the plane to the basic training facility in Phoenix, Arizona. I don't know how it happened. Mom told me I would end up in the military. Dad said I was a wimp and needed the discipline. Either way, I was suprized by my train of thoughts.
My own thoughts were the basic 18 year old's: a car, money, a good job, a girl, and a family. I guess I got distracted somewhere along the line. The military just sort of, I don't know, rushed into my thoughts. I'm sure it was impulse, or because I wanted to impress my brother.
I looked out the window. The clouds blocked me from seeing anything of any importance. I was uncomforatble sitting next to the twelve year old next to me. He hadn't said a word and was looking around as if in a trance. He was sipping a coke and I wondering if it was a caffine reaction.
Hi, I am Mike the boy said.
Hello Mike I replied, with certainty that he was nervous about the flight.
This must have been his first plane ride, because he asked me a few questions someone who rode on a plane before should know.
He tried to make some small talk, but failed to pull me into his seemingly endless energy pool. I kept quiet and tried to watch the inflight movie. It was Infamous, which, while not a great movie, was better than making small talk with a twelve year old.
I must have dozed off, because I was in Pheonix and Infamous was at the credits.
I got of the plane and I grabbed my carry-on. I could only imagine the look on my brother's face. He had something about him that could make me smile without him even being there. I hailed a taxi and was on my way to the Redemption hotel, when I realized that Pheonix was hot as h***. It wasn't like the normal, cool and crisp Massachusetts air I was used to.
When we arived at the hotel, the manager said Captain Sanders had left me a schedule of where to go when to get on the bus to basic training. I had one week. I figured I should do some sightseeing while I had the chance. The first thing I wanted, was something to eat.
With the aid of my room's computer, I managed to find a resturant called West Oak Italian and I called a delivery of some Speghetti and Meatballs supream with a Coke and some cinna ice bread sticks.
It was the last positive moment of my life, for the phone call I got right after my delicious meal was one that changed my life... For Ever.
Chapter One: The Nickname.
I was on the bus. I didn't know it would come so soon. A week felt like a few hours. And I was, of course, sunburned.
I didn't complain though. I easily could have been whiny about it, but that wasn't the first impression I wanted to leave. They took all of my electronic devices, as well as everyone else's to make sure we focused our entire basic training. We were almost silent. Some other recruits were chattering away, but I was more silent that a single mouse in a empty house at night.
Hey, man! I am talking to you! You got your head in the clouds? said one of the other recruits to me.
Sorry. I, uh, spaced out there for a second. I said.
What's your name? I'm Donald.
I shrugged. Private Inter **I-ne-ter** ( Ine as in spine )
Private Inter, huh? he started, I'm gonna call you Cloud, okay?
Why? I asked kind of weirded out by the nature of the nickname.
Because you always have high your head in the clouds. You even spaced when you were talking to my brother Matthew. He told me.
He is your brother? He sure is... energetic. I remarked.
Yeah, that's Matthew. Can't stand the kid sometimes. Can't believe mom made me bring him with me to take him to his aunt's. He loves aunt Dana. He's her favorite out of my siblings, and she makes sure EVERYONE knows it. He commented.
You have other siblings? I asked.
Yeah. Two Brothers, one older, and Matthew, and 1 sister, Gina, and she's 10. How about you Cloud, any bros or sisters?
No. I said coldly.
What's with the ice tone Cloud? he asked.
Oh, it's nothing. I made a convicing face, and he bought it.
Pretty soon, we were there, and Donald and I were like best friends. Donald sure does work fast with spreading nicknames, because as soon as the drive was over, everybody on the bus besides the driver was calling me Cloud.
I was starting to like that Nickname. I had a feeling it would stick for good.
Chapter Two: Donald's Nickname
I am your drill instructor, Lieutenant Summers. You sorry, worthless, maggots will be MEN when I get through with you. Summers said.
Sir, Yes Sir we replied in unison.
He looked us over, and stopped and commented on each individual.
You have bad posture.
Your breath smells your my ar**
What is your name private? He bellowed in my face.
Private Cloud Inter, Sir I replied.
Where ya from, Cloudy? He Bellowed