Chapter 1

January 7, 2012, 7:15 a.m. Saturday

A loud, annoying sound was ringing in his ear, causing him to jolt awake from his deep slumber. Confused and disoriented, he quickly realized that it was his alarm clock blaring its piercing noise, signaling the start of a new day. He fumbled to find the snooze button, desperately wanting a few more minutes of sleep. As he finally silenced the alarm, he couldn't help but feel a sense of dread as he remembered the long list of tasks and responsibilities that awaited him.

A familiar person was standing beside his bed with an annoyed look on her cute little face; it was Lailah, a ten-year-old military fanatic. at four feet tall 60 lbs, nicknamed Nugget, with brown hair and a violet hair color highlights in her hair fringe, she adores her parents, who are currently serving in the United Nations Peacekeeping Force based in the western region of a small country near Russia. Lailah had always been fascinated by her father's and mother's military careers and had developed a deep admiration for the work they are doing. She often spent hours listening to their stories and studying maps of the countries they had the opportunity to deploy into,

while the eldest son Aziel Grey Chevalier, a seventeen-year-old lean young man with brown hair and eyes, stood around five feet seven and 120 lbs. and had a confident demeanor that radiated from him. Despite his slight frame, Aziel possessed remarkable agility and strength, honed through years of practicing martial arts. His piercing gaze hinted at a depth of wisdom beyond his years, while his warm smile brought comfort to those around him.

Unlike his younger sister, who was outspoken and energetic and more interested in reading books and training her young mind, Grey was more silent and calm in developing his skills in close-quarter fights, especially since he is going to apply to the Marines in the near future and follow in his parent's footsteps. He dedicated countless hours to perfecting his combat techniques, constantly pushing his limits and seeking new challenges. Grey believed that the discipline and resilience he gained from martial arts would serve him well in the demanding world of military service. As he trained rigorously, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride, knowing that he was preparing himself for a path that held great significance to his family.

They were both very open-minded when it came to their parents being absent to fulfil their duties as parents to them; in their minds, saving more lives is the greatest job in the world, and they understood that their parents' commitment to military service was a sacrifice that ultimately benefited society as a whole. They admired their parents' dedication and hoped to follow in their footsteps, knowing that their own future contributions to the military would also make a difference in the lives of others.

Grey would always add strap weight to both of his arms and legs, five kilos on all four straps. This extra weight would simulate the physical demands of carrying heavy equipment and gear during military operations. he believed that by training with added weight, he could better prepare himself for the challenges he would face in the field. He knew that building his strength and endurance in this way would help him become a more effective and resilient soldier in the future.

He has been doing this for the past year, and as of yesterday, he added an additional one kilo to his weight, which is why he was too tired to even get up early today, but Lailah was unaware of this she just tug his older brother blanket and mentioned a girl from his class was waiting for him and told her, he promises to accompany her to the city library for their class report project, but he had completely forgotten about it due to his exhaustion. Lailah's excitement quickly turned into disappointment when she realized her brother couldn't fulfil his promise, leaving her to find another partner for the project.

Grey ran toward their door and went out to greet his classmate. He saw her sitting on their front porch seating area. She looked serene and silent. he apologized profusely for forgetting about their library visit and promised to make it up to her. He suggested they work on the project together at his house instead, hoping to salvage their partnership.

The Chevalier family was staying on their ancestral farmland with a suburban home that had been passed down through four generations, all of whom served in the military in many ways. hey took great pride in their heritage and the strong sense of duty instilled in each family member. Whether it was actively serving in the armed forces, supporting veterans' organizations, or participating in community service projects, the Chevalier family always found ways to contribute to the military community. .the house was surrounded by vast privately owned residential and farmland fields and many rolling hills, providing a peaceful and serene environment for the family. Despite the modern amenities of the suburban home, it still retained its rustic charm, making it a perfect home for the Chevalier family.

And the best part of their home was that it was located somewhat isolated within the downward slope of the hill facing their home and at the back was the state mountain terrain which stands at 50 metres above the surrounding terrain and 180 metres above sea level, an area that was surrounded and covered by large dense trees and large naturally forming sedimentary rock formations, and many water sources flowing through it. This picturesque setting provided a sense of tranquillity and serenity, making it the perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life. The family often enjoyed exploring the nearby trails, immersing themselves in the beauty of nature and discovering hidden gems along the way.

giving the family a sense of privacy and seclusion. and Grey's private training ground, The unique landscape also provided opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking and rock climbing, adding to the family's enjoyment of their ancestral farmland. a few miles away in a medium-sized city with more than twenty thousand residents, and where the majority of the citizens were working in a Military weapons factory.

That is why Grey was so ashamed to face his classmate, who had to travel half an hour from their farm toward the rocky hill where their home was situated. The stark contrast between the peacefulness of their farmland and the bustling industrial city made Gray feel like an outsider, causing him to feel embarrassed in front of his classmates. The distance and unfamiliarity of their home further intensified his feelings of shame. Gray's classmate once lived in the city, surrounded by modern conveniences and a vibrant social scene.

After losing her parents in an accident nine months ago, she had to transfer and stay with her grandparent's farmhouse, which was the seventh house near the Chevalier residence, a small, isolated farm community that lacked the same level of modernity and excitement. This stark contrast between their previous lives and their current surroundings only deepened Gray's sense of isolation and embarrassment, as he couldn't help but compare his classmate's former city life to his own humble existence in the countryside.

This made him feel even more isolated and different from them, deepening his sense of shame. The constant reminder of their divergent lifestyles only added to Grey's discomfort and made it difficult for him to connect with his peers., but it never bothered him at all because he knew that his uniqueness was what made him special. Grey embraced his individuality and found solace in pursuing his own passions and interests, regardless of what others thought.

Maeve Thatcher has this shy city-girl look; her hobbies are like his sister, reading and researching, she was around Five foot four and 80 lbs and has a firm slim but toned body, red hair brown eyes, and with delicate features that give her an air of elegance. Despite her petite frame, Maeve exudes confidence and carries herself with grace and independence. Her dedication to maintaining a healthy lifestyle is evident in her toned physique, which she achieves through regular exercise and a balanced diet.

She is a bit shy and a certified nature lover and kind-hearted and never once showed any signs of arrogance or superiority. Maeve's love for nature is reflected in her choice of hobbies, as she often spends her free time exploring hiking trails and capturing the beauty of the outdoors through photography. Her compassionate nature extends beyond her love for nature, as she actively volunteers at local animal shelters and advocates for environmental conservation.

That is why when an opportunity landed on her lap to visit a place that was beyond her grandparent's farmland she took it knowing Aziel Grey Chevalier who was her classmate was living in an area known for its breathtaking landscapes and wildlife. Aziel had always shared his captivating stories and stunning photographs of the area, sparking her curiosity and desire to experience it firsthand. Eager to immerse herself in this new environment, she couldn't pass up the chance to not only explore the unknown but also reconnect with her classmate and learn from his expertise in capturing the essence of this extraordinary place.

Grey was confused about what to do and say next, as he had already given his reason and asked for forgiveness. Maeve Thatcher just smiled at him and said

"Mr Grey Chevalier, it is seven in the morning!"

"I didn't spend twenty-six minutes trekking this hill just to see you feel sad.

Maeve continued, her voice filled with warmth and understanding. She reached out and gently placed a hand on Grey's shoulder, assuring him that everything would be alright and that he didn't do anything wrong; in fact, it was such a wonderful reaction coming from a young man who made the school bullies turn their backs and just leave in haste, fearing to get on his bad side, impressed by his resilience and determination. Maeve admired Grey's ability to stay true to himself.

"I believe in second chances, and I know that you have the strength to make things right. Let's focus on the task at hand together."

"Again, Grey, it's just seven in the morning; forgetting something as trivial as a missed alarm is completely understandable. Don't be too hard on yourself. We all have our moments of forgetfulness."

"So are you ready to accompany me to the library ?"

Grey was shocked but happy to hear her nice and understanding words, and then the feeling of shame of letting her travel all the way to their home soon faded, but the fact that he smelled like tree bark and sweat made him conscious, and he asked Maeve to wait inside and give him a few minutes to take a shower and wear a clean shirt, assuring her that he would be ready to accompany her to the library afterwards. He apologized for the inconvenience and thanked her for her patience.

Lailah was setting the kitchen dining table and preparing their usual cereal breakfast when she greeted Maeve and asked if she liked milk. Maeve smiled and accepted her offer. Grey pulled out the dining table stool chair and offered it to her, and she again apologized, showing that their living room sofa was filled with many unopened packages that came from their parents and there was no place for her to wait and sit. Lailah reassured Maeve that they would find a solution and quickly cleared a space on the dining table for her to sit. She explained that their parents had been sending them packages while they were away on a trip, causing the temporary clutter in the living room.

Maeve usually sees Grey's sister at the same school, but she always minds her own business and casually nods and smiles at her if they do cross paths. Maeve was admiring Lailah for being too dependent and mature for her age. She admired how Lailah always seemed to have everything under control and was able to handle any situation with grace and maturity. Maeve often found herself seeking advice and guidance, from her grandparents on how to manoeuvre around their own home, but seeing a four-foot-tall ten-year-old casually and easily do this task,

Lailah gave Maeve a glass of warm milk, sat in front of her, and casually had a conversation with her, asking her simple questions about the things she does and what she enjoys doing in her free time. Lailah was genuinely interested in getting to know Maeve better and wanted to create a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere for their conversation. As they sipped on their warm drinks, they laughed and shared stories, building a connection that started their newfound friendship.

They were no longer just schoolmates. Being pretty and famous at school, Maeve has somewhat of a following on her social media account, with many students admiring her style and personality. Lailah couldn't help but be curious about how Maeve handled the attention and if it affected her daily life in any way. Intrigued, she decided to ask Maeve about her experiences with social media and how she managed to balance her online presence with her offline life.

Maeve gave a reasonable explanation that, her social media account was her way of coping with the loss of her parents, and even if it was a foolish action, she had to do it because she really never had a real friend that would understand her feelings, so even if she that her social media friends were all fake, she found solace in the virtual connections she made. Maeve acknowledged that, while it may not be the healthiest way to cope, it provided her with a sense of belonging and support that she couldn't find elsewhere. Despite the superficiality of her online relationships, they filled a void in her life and helped her navigate through her grief.

But as of now, she was trying to move out of that self-pitying life, and move on and just seek true happiness with real friends and genuine connections. Maeve realized that relying solely on virtual relationships was limiting her growth and preventing her from fully experiencing the joys of authentic human interaction. She made a conscious effort to cultivate meaningful relationships offline, seeking out opportunities to connect with others in person and engage in activities that brought her genuine happiness.

"We can be your friends, me and my clumsy brother of mine!"

Maeve embraced the offer, recognizing the value of forming connections with kind-hearted individuals who would support her in her journey towards true happiness. With open arms, she welcomed the opportunity to create lasting memories and share genuine experiences with her newfound friends and Lailah's older brother's endearing and charming clumsiness.

January 7, 2012, 8:15 a.m. Saturday