Ciara: Excuse me! Could you just... maybe, let me... through..?

I run as fast as possible trying to make my way to the academy building. After my parents were mysteriously murdered 5 years ago, Chief Griffin, a senior instructor at the NDIA, got hold of the criminals and apprehended them... Or so everyone says..

Since then, I've abandoned my dream of becoming a dancer and wanted to become just like him and provide justice and peace to the people. Until a few weeks ago, I was just a mere police officer at a local cubicle.

Then, my supervisor handed me a form from the National Defense and Investigation Academy (NDIA), the largest military institution in the country! I managed passing the entrance exams and registering my resume and today's the first lecture.... which I just MAYBE be running late for.

I run as fast as my legs can take me. After a while, a tall and grand building comes into view. That's it! I approach the gate completely out of breath. I get in the line for ID card check.

Ah, it's my turn already. I rummage through my bag to look for my ID that was couriered to me a few days ago.

Ciara:...

This is weird, I'm sure I put it in!

Guard: Don't waste everyone's time! If you don't have your ID, go home; other people are waiting!

The guard starts scolding me impatiently. I look behind me to see the angry faces of the other trainees.

Ciara: Um, I forgot my ID but I can assure you that I'll get it tomorrow! Please let me in!

Guard: That's not how it works here, young lady. Now, out of the line!

Ciara: But!

The other trainees start pushing me out of the line when a stern voice calls out to them from behind.

???: Hold it.

Everyone turns to look at the owner of the voice. There's a tall man with short, black hair and beautiful brown eyes standing there wearing a very familiar uniform. Wait, that's the uniform that the instructors at the NDIA wear! Is he...

He walks towards us and looks down at me. His intimidating aura makes me shrink.

???: I'll take care of her.

He grabs my arm and starts to drag me away. T-Take care of me?! He isn't going to punish me for making a scene is he?! I try pulling my hand back, but it's all in vain; he's too strong.

Ciara: Please let me go! I didn't mean to cause trouble!!

???: *sigh* Sure you didn't.

Ciara: I mean it!!

He turns around a corner and then glares at me. I almost jump out of my skin in fright.

???: I won't repeat myself, DON'T make a fuss.

Make a fuss?! He's talking to me like I did that on purpose!

Ciara:... I didn't do it on purpose.

He doesn't even pay attention to me and drags me to the other end of the building. Wait, that's the backdoor. The guard on the door greets him and doesn't even ask me for my ID as we walk in. Still pulling me behind him, he leads me to the front desk. Hey, he actually helped me. He glances at me.

???: Go mark your attendance and collect your uniform.

Ciara:... Don't you think that I might just be a trespasser acting as a student?

He didn't even ask for my confirmation papers or anything. Isn't this irresponsible? He smirks at me.

???: Hah! You're funny. YOU really think that you could be a threat?

What's that supposed to mean?! That good-looking face is just a mistake that God gave you, you pig! Hey, mister! You see, I could just be the most dangerous person on earth! Hmph!

Ciara:...

I keep cursing at him in my mind because I don't really have the guts to tell him that on his face, he's an instructor after all... Hahh, who am I kidding...

He turns around and leaves. Sharp tongue, huh! But, he did help me out (though I'm not sure what I should think after that insult). I go to the front desk and tell the receptionist my name. She hands me a form and I fill it.

Receptionist: Here's your badge and name tag. To collect your uniform go to the room on the left.

Ciara: Thank you!

I run my thumb over my student badge. I've finally made it here, I've got to work hard so that I don't let myself or my position down. I clutch it tightly in my hand and head to the uniform collection room.....

After collecting our uniforms and changing into them, all trainees are instructed to assemble in the assembly hall. I look around. Hmm, I don't see a lot of girls here, just a handful.

Trainee 1: Hey, have you heard? 5 of the 8 female trainees that made it here are frauds?

Trainee 2: For real?! I guess these women are good for nothing after all.

Trainee 1: Pfft.

Hey, what's with these sexist people?! But the thing they said about the female trainees, 8 female trainees are in our batch and if the rumour is true then, only 3 of us are fair in the game?

Also, considering that comment from the instructor earlier, I don't think I'm too qualified to be a trainee here; I was even cornered by others at the gate. I'm not one of the fraud entries, am I?! It's impossible, I didn't even write my own resume!

My supervisor did that for me and submitted it because he wanted to make sure that I don't miss anything out (since I'm so clumsy at times).... But he was really looking forward to seeing me enroll in this academy.

Did he do something he shouldn't have to help me? No, he's a very honest person, he would never.... 'He would never do such a thing' is what I want to say but, I'm not so sure anymore.

???: Trainees, please pay attention.

An austre voice from the stage interrupts my thoughts. All the chatter in the room dies down. I look to over to find the rude instructor from before.

Eric: I'm Senior Instructor Eric Foster, you all will address me as Instructor Foster. All trainees that are aces according to their exams and previous cases will be divided in groups of seven, into teams A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H and I. I will be in charge of team A. The others who aren't on the list, will be in Team J.

If I recall correctly, the teams are; Team A- Ace (the smartest).

Team B- Bulldog Team (it has the strongest trainees).

Team C- Criminal Investigation (the most observant and philosophical).

Team D- Dagger (it has the most precise snipers).

Team E- Eagle (they have a gift of sharp eyesight and prediction).

Team F- Falcon (the swiftest in their tasks).

Team G- Griffin (they are not only strong but also crafty).

Team H- Hunter (they excel in playing the part of the scene while still being ready to attack at all times).

Team I- Intel (they handle the technology back at the base and send the other teams information or backup when required).

As far as the Team J goes, they are the Jaguar team who blend in with the crowd and serve as informants, but rumour has it that they're just a bunch of 'J'ackasses.

I really hope that I don't get thrown in Team J! Instructor Foster starts allotting the teams but, I don't get called out. Uh oh, it's Team I now! I'm not very good at tech so there are very high chances of-

Eric: As for Team J, there's Ryan Lawrence, Jake Locke, Marques Blanc, Momo Xia or Xia Momo... Which one is it?

He looks up searching for her. Ah, it's that Chinese girl with short hair, she's dressed in such a way that I almost thought that she was a guy.

Momo: Anything's fine.

She says in a bored tone. She's being put in the Jackass team? She looks so capable though.

Eric: Well then, Momo Xia, Hanley White, Kwan Son and... Ciara Sue.

Ciara:...!

He looks up and stares at me with a smirk. Eh?! How did he know my name and where I was standing?! Moreover, that smirk doesn't sit well with me, is he plotting something?... Or is he just humiliating me for what I said earlier?

Eric: Oh, and Sue, do something about your hair.

Ciara: What?

All the eyes turn to me and I start to feel nervous. Does he mean that my hair is too long? It's a few inches lower than my shoulders. Yeah, this could be a problem during training. I'm about to say something when he continues...

Eric: The receptionist will hand you bag of supplies to make your hair grow faster.

All Trainees: What?!

Ciara:.....

I'm lost for words. He wants me to do what now?! Grow my hair?! Why would anyone make such a suggestion?! This not a fashion show mister! It's a training academy! You should know that best of all people! This is ridiculous! I stand there gaping at him as he walks down the stage.....

I can't believe he just said that! I mean, what the...! The other instructors introduce themselves as well but, all that they say goes in from one ear and out the other. What the hell is going on here? This is B.S.! Why is the length of your hair important for training to become a detective?! Hmm, come to think of it, how long was Sherlock Holmes' hair?

Instructor: Students who are daydreaming during the assembly will be punished!

Ciara:...!

A sharp voice snaps me back to my senses. I look up to see the person on the stage. Holy cow! Just how much of a hunk are these instructors?! He looks just like a top model!! Wait, is he one?

Jared: Lastly, I'm Jared Johnson, I'll be supervising Team J. You all will address me as Instructor Johnson.

He'll be supervising the Jackasses?! That means I'll get to feast my eyes on him everyday! Hold up, that's not what I came here for. I can feel everyone's eyes fixed on him as he speaks.

Jared: Trainer Doris will be assisting me with training Team J.

He motions towards a tall man wearing a grey hoodie, his black and cerulean cap placed so low on his head that it could almost cover his eyes. Doris gestures with his hand in confirmation.

Jared: That's all, I hope you all are familiar with the basic rules of this academy; any violations will not be tolerated. You may get familiar with your teammates today, the training will start tomorrow morning. Circulars regarding each team's schedule will be sent to your dormitory. The receptionist will hand you the keys and room numbers to your dormitory. Do you understand?

Trainees: Yes sir!

Jared: Very well. Assembly dismissed.

He gets off the stage and all the trainees go to find their teammates. I don't know how my teammates look like except that Momo girl. I spot her in the crowd and approach her. It seems like my other teammates followed the suit as well.... Um, why is everyone so quiet? Should I start a conversation?

Ciara: Hello, my name is-

???: Ciara Sue. We all got that.

One of my teammates interrupts me. Of course they did... I look at his name tag. Marques Blanc, huh.

Ciara: That's good to know, Mar-kiss...?

???: Pfft.

One of the guys laughs. He is... Jake Locke.

Ciara: Huh? Did I say something wrong?

I'm pretty sure it's spelled that way.

Marques: You heard the man, girl, it's 'Marques' and not 'Mar- kiss'... What even is that..

He says with an African accent.

Ciara: But it's spelled that way.

Marques: Then I can call ya Ki- ara, can't I?

Ciara: Hmm...

Another guy looks nervously between us and timidly speaks up.

Kwan: Ahem, I'm Kwan Son. I look forward to learning with you.

Jake: I'm Jake Locke, I look forward to learning with you all as well.

He smiles at us, his beautiful green eyes slightly squinting beneath his red hair.

Momo: I'm Momo Xia....

All:...

Wait, that's it? Come to think of it, she was quite aloof with Instructor Johnson earlier too. Maybe she'll be a difficult one to get along with.

Hanley: I'm Hanley White, I'll be in your team too. I know about all the rumors regarding the 'Jackass' team but, I'm sure we can clear them together once and for all by the end of this year.

He seems easy (on the eyes and) to get along with. But, Momo, Marques, Jake, Kwan, Hanley and I make the six of us; where's the seventh one?

???: I'm sorry I'm late! There was just so much rush.

A tall man with dark brown hair and blue eyes comes sprinting towards us.... Have I finally reached the mine of good luck? Handsome guys keep appearing out of nowhere!

Hanley: You're late, Ryan.

Ryan: I know, there was a crowd (of pretty girls) back there so I got late.

They sound like they know know each other well.

Ryan: I'm Ryan Lawrence, it's my pleasure to be here.

Marques: Pleasure to be in the Jackass Team?

Ryan: Hah, you're a funny one.

Although Marques speaks to him in a sarcastic tone, Ryan humours him. He looks at his name tag and back at him with a polite smile.

Ryan: I look forward to getting to know you, Mar- kiss.

Marques:....

Ciara and Kwan: Ahahaha!!

#Payback!!

Ciara: Are you okay there, 'Mar-kiss'? You seem unwell.

I ask him in a playful tone, teasing him.

Marques:.... *sigh* I'm surrounded by a bunch of idiots. You guys just stick with 'Mark'.

Ciara: Why? No 'kiss'?

Wait, that didn't come out how I wanted it to. Marques looks at me and smirks.

Marques: You want a 'kiss', Young Lady?

Ciara:...!

Don't let that panic show on your face, Ciara... Don't let the panic from 5 years ago show.

Ciara: Who're you calling a 'Young Lady'?! I'm 24!

Jake: I would've never pinned you down as a flirt at first sight, Mark.

Marques:... I don't flirt with kids.

Jake: Uh huh, sure you don't.

Ciara: I'm not a kid, y'know.

Hanley: Hey, looks like everyone's leaving. We should get our dorm keys as well.

Ryan: I... I'll go get them.

Ryan rushes towards the exit. What's up with him?

Kwan: Something tells me that it was not the keys he ran for.

Ciara:???

Momo: Probably a girl, a... blondie to be exact.

Momo says, brushing her short, black hair behind her ear. I follow her line of sight to see him talking to a beautiful, blonde girl while walking out the door.

Momo: Don't you think we should be heading to the receptionist too?

Jake: Yeah, we need to move our stuff in today too.

Everyone starts walking towards the exit but I keep looking at their backs in a daze. This... this is my team, we're going to be training together this whole year. Except for Momo, and MAYBE Mark, everyone seems pretty easy to talk to.

But, then again that rumour about the fraud trainees, could I be one of them? Just the thought of it makes my heart ache. If I am indeed one of the frauds, I will be weeded out of here; my dream will be crushed.

As these thoughts plague me with self-doubt, Mark looks over his shoulder to see me staring into space. He smiles teasingly at me.

Marques: You look like a little girl who just lost her doll. How sad.

Sad? Did I seriously look that depressed? Wait a second, he called me a little girl again!

Ciara: I'll beat you!

Marques: Bite me.

Ciara: Come back here!

He sticks his tongue out and starts to run and I chase after him well aware of my teammates laughing at us. I feel all my tension from before fade away and a small smile spreading across my face.

Weird, did he say that on purpose to cheer me up? But why? He doesn't even know what was bothering me. I guess, he is a good guy after all. Maybe we'll get along well in the future.

Whatever happens, this is my team, in the ups and downs we'll have to support each other in one way or another. With that thought in my mind, I resume taking my 'revenge' on 'Mar-kiss'.