Driving into the camp, and not being seen together was difficult. Very difficult. Ellie ducked down in her seat as they drove in. Jim ducked down with her after they parked, to kiss her good-bye. Then he got out of the truck, and 10 minutes later, Ellie exited via the drivers side door. No one noticed a thing. Ellie made the half a mile walk to the cabin, and entered through the rickety door. Sarah was the only one in there, and she was reading.

“How were your days off?” Sarah asked. Ellie smiled.

“Oh, they were nice.” Ellie said.

“What did you do?”

“Nothing really, I just spent it at the beach.”

“Sounds pleasant.” Sarah spat, not really paying attention, but obviously was jealous.

“Oh it was.” Ellie replied sweetly. “It was.” Soon the rest of the girls of cabin six entered. They talked excitedly about their visits with family and friends. Celeste talked about her boyfriend, in great detail, and it got really annoying to everyone else. They soon retired, and Ellie kept herself from crying, thinking about Jim.

The horn blasted the next day, marking the hardest day for Ellie, and Jim. Ellie got dressed and went to breakfast. General McPhearson got up to talk.

“Good Morning Cadets!” He started, “I hope you all enjoyed your vacations, because it’s over now.” He looked at Ellie for the rest of his speech, and Ellie held back her tears. “Back to hard work.” He went on from there. After breakfast was a conditioning session. As always the General looked over everyone’s uniforms, stopping to point out things wrong. This time Ellie had been mischievous, and had tied her boots backwards, just to see what General McPhearson would do. He didn’t pass by her. He stopped, stared at her and looked down.

“Cadet! Your shoes are tied backwards again!” He barked. “Fix them.” Ellie saluted, bent down, tied them and stood back up. All General McPhearson did was shake his head and move on. Things were back to normal. Just the way Ellie thought they should be. At least inside the camp.

Lunch rolled around, and Ellie knew the day would come to an end soon, and she would survive. The obstacle course run was harder then ever. She had to pass the general every time she went up the stairs. She gave him a look as if to say, ‘I told you so’ because Jim wasn’t there with her at that moment. Jim knew exactly what the look she gave him meant.

Then it was time for dinner. Dinner was time for another speech. This one was “the end of the 15th day of training speech.” This meant 69 more days of training before they were officially a part of the military. The girls of cabin six made their way back to their temporary home. They climbed into bed and chatted about their day.

“Only 69 more days to make him like me!” Celeste purred evilly.

“Oh good Lord, Celeste! It through your head, he’ll never like you like that!” Ellie piped in.

“Oh, well, she speaks!” Celeste said.

“Yes, She does, imagine that!” Sarah wanted to stick up for Ellie. “Of course, all you do is gossip about her, so obviously you haven’t realized she’s a real person.”

“Oh, wow . . . she’s a smart little thing isn’t she.” Celeste said to Mel. Mel smiled.

“Yes she is. Smart to not be friends with you. I don’t know why I hung out with someone like you in the first place.” Mel said. Ellie thanked them for sticking up for her, and they went to bed.

Weeks and weeks went by. There were soon only three weeks left of training. There was another vacation weekend, and Ellie and Jim went to the beach again.

They walked along the beach holding hands.

“I’ve missed you.” Ellie said quietly.

“I’ve missed you too, Ellie.” Jim bent down to capture her lips in a tender kiss. “I love you.”

“ I love you too, Jim. Promise me we’ll still see each other after I graduate.”

“We will. Summer is my off time. I have to tell you, though. I could get called up at any time.” Jim was resenting saying this, but it had to be put out there. She had to realize it.

“I know, I know.” Ellie held back her tears having to think about it. She wouldn’t be called up yet, as she needed her training as a nurse.

Jim pulled her close to him.

“I’ll spend as much time as I can with you, sweetie.” Ellie looked up at him, with a puzzled look on her face. “What?” He asked.

“You called me sweetie.” Ellie said. “You’ve never done anything like that before.”

“Well . . . I’m sorry!” Jim loved to toy with her.

“No, I like it. It’s different.” Ellie looked up at him, and pecked him on the cheek.

“Awww . . . ” Jim mocked “See why I call you sweetie?” Ellie laughed and tried to push him in the water. “Oh no you don’t!” He yelled. Then he lifted Ellie off the ground and acted like he was going to throw her in.

“No! Please! Don’t do it.” Ellie squealed, breathless. The couple once again ended up lying in the sand next to each other. They cuddled together, laughing. They really enjoyed every minute they could be together, and that’s part of what made them perfect for each other. They stayed that way for two hours, until lunch. For lunch they went to a nice corner bistro.

“I have to admit, this is much better then ‘Joe’s Crabs and fish’!” Ellie Joked.

“Thanks Ellie!” Jim said sarcastically.

“No problem.” They were soon seated, and ordered. Suddenly, they saw someone walk in. It was Celeste.

“Oh no! Oh my gosh, Jim, we have to get out of here. She can’t know, she’ll tell!” “How do you know that?” Jim asked.

“Because she wants you, Jim.” Ellie whispered. Jim had to snicker at this. Ellie playfully slapped him. “I’m not kidding! Don’t laugh!”

“Ok... Ok..” Jim said as he flagged down a waiter. “Can we get our check, and someone to distract that blonde over there, so she doesn’t see us.”

“Certainly” The waiter looked a bit confused, but complied. Luckily they got out before Celeste could see them. As they were exiting, however, they ran into Sarah. Sarah didn’t say a word, but gave Ellie a thumbs up as they passed. Ellie laughed, but never told Jim why.

They decided to go shopping after lunch, but went to another city to avoid encountering Celeste. The couple basically just fooled around all day, trying on random clothes, and window shopping. Neither of them bought anything, but enjoyed being together anyway. They went out to dinner and then to a hotel. This time, Ellie payed for the rooms. Again they spent the evening together, and departed at bedtime, with a kiss goodnight.

The next day was spent much like the last vacation. They tried the picnic lunch thing again, which was much easier when the wind was not as strong. They spent some time together, went out to dinner, and went back to the beach for the sunset.

“I’m so glad I’m going to graduate in three weeks.” Ellie said light-heartedly.

“I am too. I’m very proud of you, Ellie.” Jim praised.

“Awww! Thank you!” She cooed happily. Jim pecked her on the lips.

“You’re welcome.” It began to get colder outside, so the couple snuggled close to keep warm. They then realized they had to get back, and made it back to the camp the same secretive way they had before.

Sarah was again the only one in cabin six when Ellie arrived.

“I know your day was nice, Ellie!” Sarah squealed.

“It was very nice.” Ellie said, winking.

“So, what’s he like outside of the gates of this academy?” Sarah asked.

“He’s a very sensitive, loving man.” Ellie confessed. The conversation came to a halt as Celeste entered the cabin.

“I spent the ENTIRE vacation with my great boyfriend!” She purred. Ellie and Sarah exchanged a glance.

“Really?” Sarah asked, “Then where was this great boyfriend when I saw you at that bistro?” Celeste looked puzzled.

“What bistro?” She said, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Yes ya do, Celeste. ‘Cause I saw ya too!” Ellie accused. She was very proud of herself.

“Really, Ellie, I didn’t see you there.” Celeste was surprised. “Why were you there?”

“I was having lunch with my friend.” Ellie said sheepishly.

“What is your friends name?” Celeste pried.

“Jim.” Ellie stated.

“Jim what?”

“Why do you care?”

“I don’t, I guess.”

“Good, then lets all go to bed!” Sarah suggested. Mel came in, and went directly to bed as well.

“Ellie, I’ve been called up for duty.”

“You can’t! It’s four days until our wedding!”

“I’m sorry.”

Ellie awoke with a start. She noticed she had been crying in her sleep. She was a bit flustered to notice that Mel was looking at her.

“Are you OK?” Mel asked.

“Yea, I just had a bad dream.” Ellie admitted.

“Alright.” Mel said. “It’s 5:34 so we might as well stay up.”

“Yea.” Ellie said, rolling out of bed. Ellie was ready at 6:00, so she went right to the mess hall. She arrived at 6:10 and before she went in she saw General McPhearson outside.

“Cadet!” He barked. “I need to see you.”

“Sir, yes Sir.” Ellie yelled back. ‘What is he doing?’ She thought.

“Ellie,” he whispered. “I love you.” and then he kissed her. Luckily no one was around, and they were behind a wall.

“Whoa, Jim, what are you doing?” Ellie asked, “Not that I mind, but what if we get caught?”

“I don’t care.”

“Yes you do, and I better go.” Ellie left him standing alone. She was confused as she walked into the mess hall. ‘What would make him do that?’ She asked herself. Then suddenly she realized something. ‘I didn’t say I loved him back.’

Everyone filed in, and they got their morning speech. General McPhearson looked at Ellie for part of it, and she mouthed ‘I love you too’ The rest of the day went by quickly, and then so did the next three weeks. It was soon the day of graduation. The girls of cabin six said goodbye while packing and dressing in their dress whites. All their hair was done perfectly to fit beneath their hats. They left their things in their cabins until after the ceremony. They walked together to the festivities. There was a band playing, and a podium at the front of the mess hall. General McPhearson greeted everyone as they came into the room. He shook their hands, and gave them a program.

Ellie Sampson stepped up to shake his hand, and made him freeze. He took her hand in his and shook it firmly.

“I’m proud of you.” He said.

“Thank you.” Ellie replied, and winked. The band played a song. Every one picked a partner to dance. General McPhearson passed right by Celeste, who stepped before him, and asked Ellie to be his partner. They swayed back and forth to the music, as Celeste pouted in the corner.

Looking back over the years

of all the things I've always meant to say

But the words didn't come easily

So many times through empty fears

Of all the nights I tried to pick up the phone

So scared of who might be answering

You try to live your life from day to day

But seeing you across the room tonight

Just gives me away

'Cause the heart won't lie

Sometimes life gets in the way

But there's one thing that won't change

I know, I've tried

The heart won't lie

You can live your alibi

Who can see you're lost inside

A foolish disguise?

The heart won't lie

Long after tonight

Will you still hear my voice through the radio

Old desires make us act carelessly

Long after tonight, after the fire

After the scattered ashes fly

Through the four winds blown and gone

Will you come back to me?

You try to live your life from day to day

But seeing you across the room tonight

Just gives me away

'Cause the heart won't lie

Sometimes life gets in the way

But there's one thing that won't change

I know, I've tried

The heart won't lie

You can live your alibi

Who can see you're lost inside

A foolish disguise?

The heart won't lie

The heart won't lie

The dance finished as it was time for the ceremony. A few speeches were given, and then the newest members of the military lined up to get their diplomas.

“Margaret Hanson. Robert Jones. . .Elise Sampson.” The crowd applauded for everyone as they stepped up on the stage, saluted and received the ‘prize’ for all their hard work. Ellie smiled at her parents in the audience. Then she went to sit with the rest of her ‘class’. The graduation ceremony was soon over. Ellie went to say goodbye to Jim...for now.

“Here’s my phone number, address and Email.” Ellie giggled as she said this.

“And here’s mine” Jim said, handing her a piece of paper.

“I love you.”

“I love you too, Ellie.” And then they kissed. Everyone who noticed cheered. Then the ‘tough’ General McPhearson picked up Ellie and spun her around. And they parted to start their new lives. . . together.

A/N: Song is by Reba, not me!!!!! I don’t know who wrote it, but it’s a great song!