2 Corporal and Rosie

Once it was time for basic training, Elliot had already met a few of the other soldiers he would be fighting alongside. Plenty of them came from impoverished households who couldn't afford a way out. Plenty of them young people who craved freedom.

Perhaps the most shocking thing to Elliot was the fact that more than half of these enlistees had no goals for their life whatsoever. It was quite depressing to witness, though.

At last the time had come to meet the seniors. Elliot was divided into a group of soldiers who would share a barracks and train together. These were now his family.

Among these people was a girl named Rosie O'Neill, or as they were taught, Private O'Neill. She was a shy girl, barely spoke three words to anyone. She had brown hair that was pulled into a tight bun at the back of her head. Army standard. Elliot wondered what had brought her here. What would drive a young woman to join such a brute cause?

"Can I help you?" Her voice was as sweet when she spoke, but there was a hint of fear. Elliot knew that crack. She had caught him staring. "Oh, I-I apologize. I didn't mean to stare. I was just wondering-" She cut him off. "Here comes the corporal."

Corporal Rocco Flynn. The biggest hotshot here. Barely a few ranks above them but he knew it all. He was of average height. Not too tall, not too short. He had dark, short hair (as all soldiers were instructed to have), and green eyes that pierced your soul. He was quite the handsome man.

It was time for inspection. The most dreaded part of any private's day.

"You. What's your name?" A stern finger pointed straight at Elliot.

"I am Private Elliot Butterfield, sir."

"Butterfield? What are you? A fairy princess?"

"No, sir."

"Fix your goddamn hair. This is the army! Not a parade! There is no room for fashionistas in my squad! Understood? You are to go sort it out. Immediately." His voice was deep and stern, but warm. Something about it sent chills down Elliot's spine, even if he didn't like the tone.

"Yes, sir. May I be excused?"

"No." Asshole.

Rosie stood next to Elliot as the inspection continued. She had to hide the smile that grew on her face after the interaction with Corporal Flynn. She could see Elliot was embarrassed. "Seems the corporal has it out for you, huh?" She whispered.

Elliot just turned his head away in shame and hoped that Rocco saw nothing. He didn't want to run laps after his very first inspection.

----

After the inspection had finished and the enlistees were dismissed, Elliot was on his way to get his hair cut. Rosie decided to walk with him, as she felt out of place herself.

"So, why'd you join?" She broke the silence after a few minutes.

"Mandatory service. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for that stupid draft."

"I see..." Her voice grew quiet.

"How about you? Why are you here?" Elliot asked, looking at the girl next to him. Her face had some scars and her uniform seemed to look strange on her. She had a very feminine build and this caused her stomach to be squeezed by her pants. It made sense now. Rosie was wearing a men's uniform.

"It's a long story. I volunteered. I couldn't afford staying on my own. I mean I'm not cut out for the Army at all but I need all the help I can get!" She seemed to close herself off a bit. He wouldn't pry. She would tell him when she wanted to.

The wait at the hairdresser was short. It was a standard cut and they knew how to do it.

Elliot looked in the mirror at his full head of curls. It took him a few years to grow them out. It was a sad parting for him. "Goodbye, my darlings." He gave them a pat. It was his turn next.

The buzzer cut through his hair like a warm knife through butter as his hair all fell to the floor.

It was a new chapter for Elliot and he was thrown in the deep end. His world was about to change.

----

When dinnertime was over, the soldiers were all sent to their barracks where they were free to do what they pleased until it was lights-out.

Of course Corporal Flynn would come do his nightly rounds.

He stopped in front of Elliot's bed, looking at him as he sat there, and cleared his throat.

Elliot looked up at him. "Oh. Corporal Flynn." He wasn't expecting to see him.

"Is that how you greet me?"

Elliot quickly jumped up and mumbled an apology. "Corporal."

The corporal huffed. "I'm glad to see your hair is fixed. No fairy-frolicking through the night, you hear me?" His voice sounded so intimidating. What was his deal?

"There will be none of it, sir."

Finally he left and Elliot was free to write.

"Dear Diary.

Today we had our first proper inspection and we were sorted into our barracks.

I met a girl named Rosie O'Neill. She seems to have a story to tell. She was wearing a men's uniform. I wonder if we even have women's uniforms...

The corporal is an asshole. He's picking on me for no reason.... Ok well my hair was wrong but it's not my fault!

I don't know the army like he does. He thinks he knows everything with his stupid big muscles.

'Oo look at me I'm corporal Rocco Flynn and I run the entire army despite only being a shitty little corporal.'

Ok... he's not that bad. He intimidates me.

I've said to much. I'll keep you updated. It's time for bed.

End."