Shorter Than Me

7 Ecyn

Commander Erwin quizzes me on my knowledge of the titans and I answer the questions easily. Ever since I was little, the information has been drilled into my brain.

He has me move around as fast as I can in a small section of trees and watches me. I show him the flip I learned and I feel very relieved when I do it perfectly.

At the end, he asks me which way is the way back.

I confidently point and say, "This way, sir."

He motions for me to go. "Lead the way."

I start back and hear the commander behind me. Suddenly, I remember the horses. I glance ahead and turn around, still moving. "We forgot the horses, sir."

"Yes, we did." He nods like this was supposed to happen. "Can you call them?"

"Yes, sir." I whistle and we wait for the horses in silence. I whistle about every thirty seconds until the horses come galloping. They come at the same time and we land on them lightly. We continue finding our way out of the forest.

***

"Guiin," the commander says to me once we put the maneuver gear away and the horses are back in their stalls.

"Yes sir?"

"Don't tell any of the other recruits what happened today for your assessment. Is that clear?"

He looks me straight in the eyes and I say, "Yes, sir."

He turns and walks out. I breathe deeply. It's over. I hope I impressed him.

***

"Are you allowed to tell us what happened?" Dren asks me.

"No," I tell him.

He lets out a long exaggerated sigh.

"He told me not to!" I defend myself.

"But you're not helping your friends." Briine teases me.

"I take orders from the commander, not from you."

"Ouch." Briine puts a hand over his heart.

"Don't pretend you're in pain." I give him a light shove. "I'm not going to tell you guys anything."

"Not even to your best friend?" Briine looks at me with sad eyes.

"Shut up." I roll my eyes.

"Wow." He shrugs to Dren. "Practically lifelong friends and she blows me off just like that. Some friend." He shoots me a hateful glare I can tell is completely fake.

"I'm still your friend."

"Girls." He keeps talking to Dren. "So bipolar. They can't make up their minds about anything."

"Oh, I've made up my mind." I fling myself into Briine, who then falls into Dren. We roll on the grass a little. I find my way on top of Briine. I try to hold him down, but I don't weigh much. He flips us over so he's on top now. He kind of hits me against the ground and I pretend to be hurt. "Ow. What the heck?" I grimace and try to look like I'm in pain.

"Oh. Sorry." He starts to let the weight off me.

I shove him over and jump back on top of him, holding his arms down. "Idiot. You always fall for that one." He rolls his eyes and I know it's because sometimes he feels like my older brother and doesn't want me hurt.

"That's not fair." Dren wraps his arms around my waist and lifts me off Briine with so much ease it annoys me slightly. I fight to get away and Dren falls to the ground. I scramble to get on top of him but he says, "Ow! Ecyn!" He reaches for his wrist.

"Are you alright?" I ask.

He pushes me over. "Idiot. You always fall for that." He laughs and holds my arms down. Briine holds my legs and I groan in frustration.

"This isn't fair. You're twelve times heavier than me!" I try to struggle but with no avail.

"She's right, you know." Dren tackles Briine and I help him hold Briine down.

I smile at Dren as Briine fights to get up. Finally, he gives up and Dren and I laugh at him as he sits up.

"Still deciding not to tell us?" Dren looks at me.

"No." I look upward in defiance, a smile playing on my lips.