Airframe specific training began when Kyle returned from his week off. He, Burr, Hilson, Fern, August, Stein and Avery were in the same class along with two other Airman they had never seen before. Apparently, they had joined the Air Force recently. They didn't have to wait for a class opening. Their timeline ran the way it should have: basic, tech school, and airframe specific training in succession.
Kyle and his crew had experienced what life was like in the Phase Dock so returning to a classroom setting was a step backwards, and the instructors treated them as if they were trainees, again.
Back to this thought Kyle.
The other classmates introduced themselves as Reynolds and Brower. They weren't assigned to the Phase Dock—they were flightline crew chiefs—which meant they were a part of the 9th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (AMXS)—a seemingly slight difference from where Kyle was assigned in the 9th MXS, but they had separate Squadron Commanders, First Sergeants and everything else. Interconnected but separate.
Kyle was made their class leader. For some reason, when the instructor asked who the ranking Airman was, they all looked at Kyle. Except, he wasn't the ranking Airman. Technically, they were all the same rank. The Date of Rank (DOR) was the day they graduated basic because that's what was stipulated in the six-year contract. Among the Airman that enlisted for six years were: Kyle, Hilson, Stein, Avery, and August. Fern and Burr only enlisted for four years so they were one-striped Airman.
Still, more responsibility assigned to Kyle—in his mind—unnecessarily.
Training wasn't difficult, though. Kyle found ways to poke fun and insert humor. He kept making sound effects as he described things.
"My, you'd be great as an instructor," said Brower through a chuckle. "Just imagine. He'd be teaching and say 'you just *whirring sound* and then when you hear a *clicking sound* you start it up and then *revving noises* and you know you've done it right."
They all laughed at Brower's impersonation of Kyle.
Brower was a tall guy with a Philly accent and auburn colored hair. Reynolds was a skinny kid who joined at seventeen-years old and needed his parent's signature to enlist. He seemed like Avery. Something about him screamed he received a lot of handouts.
Kyle and the guys from class became decent friends. They would hang out at the dorms even after class. Brower would invite everyone to his room to listen to music and just shoot the breeze.
Kyle got a text from Erin while he was hanging out with the fellas. He smirked and sent her a text back.
"Is that your cell phone, My?" asked Brower.
"Yeah."
"God, even your cell phone is cool, small and Asian," said Brower. "You've got the coolest shit, man."
Kyle was amused by that. In his experience, people didn't really think Asian things were cool. He certainly felt outcast growing up in a primarily Black and Puerto Rican neighborhood and school so to hear these things were out of the norm for Kyle.
"Haha. You messaging a lady, My?" asked Brower.
"Yeah, I met her recently."
"Nice. I've been shtupping a lady here. Met her in FTAC," said Brower.
"Who?" asked Reynolds. "Lara?"
"Yeah. She's so tiny. I love it," said Brower. "You hit, yet?"
"I've never hit ever."
Brower was shocked. He thought it was normal that people lost their virginity in high school. He had a bunch of questions whirling in his head.
"By choice?" asked Brower.
Kyle was a little hesitant to be the topic of conversation. Especially when it came to sex and virginity. He had grown up in a Christian household so he held more traditional beliefs, but slowly, his faith began to unravel. There were things he questioned—one of them was purity.
Like any other man, he had urges and desires, and he wasn't sure how to control them or live with them without having his fantasies and imagination run wild.
And, for the first time, he was somewhere where he was alone and no one to hold him accountable to his beliefs.
Still, he had his beliefs.
"Yeah… I actually want to wait for marriage," said Kyle.
Here we go… thought Kyle. The ridicule.
"That's cool, man," said Brower.
Kyle was stunned.
"Good on you," continued Brower. "Not a lot of people can do that, and I respect you for it."
"Thanks…"
"I mean," Brower went on. "I know I sure as hell can't! If me and Lara call it quits, who's next?"
Brower chuckled.
"On that note…" said Kyle.
"No, man. I'm not teasing," Brower said.
"It's not that. Erin and I made plans anyway."
"Oh, cool. Then, by all means…" said Brower.
Kyle left Brower's room and the rest of the guys stayed and had some beers. Brower was of age so he'd buy beer and took a chance by inviting the underage Airman to drink in his room and hang out. If they got caught, they would all be in trouble so that was another reason for Kyle to leave.
No use getting into senseless trouble.
He'd have company soon anyway. The Front Gate would call whenever Erin arrived. He had to verify she was his guest. She had to show her ID and get a base pass for herself and her car.
Kyle didn't have much time to lose. He had to cook the dinner he promised her: garlic stir fried shrimp and rice. It was a dish his mom taught him how to make. Simple and delicious. It was convenient having his own room, shower and kitchen. He felt truly independent. No one was taking care of him but himself.
Kyle received the phone call from the Front Gate. He confirmed Erin was his guest and just needed to wait for her arrival. Dinner was ready, and now, he waited.
Kyle's phone rang.
"Hey, I just parked."
"Do you know which side?"
"The closest parking lot."
"Ok, let me step outside."
Kyle propped his door open and walked out onto the walkway that overlooked the parking lot. He saw Erin's little black Honda Civic so he waved his hand.
"Do you see me waving on the third floor?"
Erin looked up and saw Kyle waving.
"Yeah, I'll be right up."
Erin took the stairs up to the third floor and met Kyle outside his room. The two hugged and went into Kyle's room.
"What the heck?" Erin asked.
She pointed to a giant cardboard cutout of Sarah Michelle Gellar.
"You don't like Buffy?"
"No, I mean. Why do you have that?"
"First off: rude," Kyle said as he smirked. "Second: why not? Third: I needed a place to put my beanie."
Erin noticed Kyle had placed a beanie on Sarah Michelle Gellar's cardboard cutout's head.
"Ok, I guess."
"I'm kidding. Some dude had it and was gonna throw it away so I took it," explained Kyle. "Every now and then, drunk Airman would come by, and I'd place it in the opening of the walkway. The drunks would holla at her."
Kyle laughed. Erin just accepted his answer.
"You just love to joke and prank, huh?"
"Yeah, that's why I messaged you."
"Should I be concerned?"
"About?"
"What you just said…"
"I'm only kidding."
"I can't tell when you're kidding… you use a lot of sarcasm."
"I'm pretty much always kidding."
"Ok, so never take you seriously."
"Exactly."
"I think I'm getting it."
You can get it thought Kyle.
"What's that smile for?" asked Erin.
"Nothing… ready to eat?"
"Oh, yeah. I'm starving."
Kyle served up two plates and placed them in the dining area of his room. He had to stagger the plates so he could sit on one side that was also in the kitchen and for Erin to sit on the other side which was in his living room area.
The two of them shared a meal. It was delicious.
"You've checked off another box," said Erin.
"Oh, yeah? What's that?"
"You can cook."
"Can you cook?"
"I mainly order fast food. Did that answer your question?"
"Not at all."
Erin laughed. She enjoyed Kyle's humor and she thought he was handsome.
Kyle also enjoyed Erin's company.
Other than the recliner, and the chairs in the dining area, the only other place to sit or relax was on Kyle's bed. He had acquired a DVD player, TV and a PlayStation 2 so he had entertainment covered.
"What do you want to watch? I have these DVDs."
Erin looked through his collection.
"I kinda want to laugh."
"I know just the movie."
Kyle popped in the DVD he had of Van Wilder. It was one of his favorite movies, and she said she wanted to laugh so what better than a raunchy comedy flick.
They cuddled onto Kyle's bed and watched the movie. Every so often, Erin would rub on Kyle's chest.
He turned over to her and kissed her gently.
Erin continued to kiss Kyle with increasing intensity. Before he knew it, they weren't watching the movie at all—just making out.
Erin pulled away and looked at Kyle.
"I like you a lot, Kyle."
"I like you, too."
"…"
"What's wrong?" asked Kyle.
"Nothing, I just don't want to mess things up."
"It's cool. I understand."
"You're not mad?"
"At what?"
"I'm turning you on… obviously, and then, I'm turning away."
"Oh, I'm not worried about that."
Erin was curious.
"How many girls have you been with?"
This topic, again thought Kyle.
"…I haven't been with any."
Erin was surprised, but it made sense. Kyle hadn't treated her like other guys she's tried to date. He was respectful and kind and caring and didn't pressure her for anything. She thought something must be wrong with him.
"You're a virgin."
"Yes."
"Oh, ok."
"You're right, though. I am turned on…"
Erin frowned.
"Sorry," Erin said. "I don't mean to give you blue balls."
"What else is new?" chuckled Kyle.
"Can we finish the movie?"
"Yeah."
They resumed a cuddle position and finished the movie.
After the movie ended, Kyle noticed it had gotten late.
"Are you good to drive?" he asked.
"Oh," Erin said surprised. "I thought I was spending the night."
"Oh… did you bring a bag?"
"Yeah, it's in my car."
"Oh, ok. Want me to grab it?"
"No, it's OK. I got it."
Erin grabbed her keys and headed toward the door.
"I'll be right back."
Erin left to go grab her things from her car. Kyle was unsure of what to think or do. He didn't expect her to spend the night, but then again, he didn't expect her to stay so late. Was he naïve for thinking this way?
Kyle opened the door after hearing a light knock. It was Erin returned from her car.
"Do you need to shower or anything?"
"Yeah," responded Erin.
"OK. Shower is through there," said Kyle pointing at the bathroom door. "Let me know if you need anything else."
"Thanks."
Erin walked toward the bathroom and turned the shower on. She closed the door, and Kyle heard the lock click.
A thousand thoughts ran through Kyle's head.
There was a woman bathing in his shower just a few feet away from him.
Kyle had to calm himself, but he was still a teenager, and his thought just drifted. What was going to happen when she got out the shower? How would they sleep in the same bed together? Was this wrong?
So many thoughts flickered through in a short amount of time.
"No worries. It's just like a sleepover," he muttered.
Erin turned the shower off, and Kyle started to panic a little. Anxiety was not his friend. Was he panicking just thinking about it?
She cracked open the door.
"Do you have a t-shirt I can borrow?"
"Yeah, sure."
Kyle hopped up and went to his dresser and grabbed a shirt for her. He handed it to her through the crack. She grabbed the shirt.
"Thanks."
She shut the door. Kyle plopped himself onto his bed.
Shortly afterwards, she opened the door and was wearing Kyle's shirt. It was normal sized on him, but on her it was oversized.
It was cute.
She walked over to the bed and hopped onto it next to Kyle. He could still feel the heat from her shower.
"What time do you have to get up?" asked Kyle.
"Oh, I don't have work tomorrow."
"I have training in the morning. You're welcome to stay if you wanna hang out tomorrow after I'm off work."
Erin liked the idea.
"Or, you could head home after the morning traffic to Sac dies down," said Kyle.
Erin didn't like that idea. She wanted to hang out with him more, but she didn't want to seem pushy.
"Either one works for me."
Erin didn't want to make a decision. She wanted him to want to hang out with her.
"I'd love to hang out more."
"OK, I'll stay," she said happily.
At that, she slumped down into a sleeping position. Kyle pulled her close to him and cuddled her.
"Good night," he said.
"Good night…"
Erin drifted off rather easily.
Kyle on the other hand was fighting for his life. He felt anxiety, panic, discomfort, and a whole host of other feelings along with hormonal rushes. He was obviously aroused by the idea of her, and he wanted to do something, but what if she rejected him?
This played out the entire night. By the time Kyle had to get up, he was so exhausted. It didn't matter because he had to show up for training. He got up and dressed in his BDUs and made his way to class.
Brower noticed immediately.
"Couldn't sleep there, buddy?" asked Brower.
"Erin kept me up all night."
"What?!" exclaimed Brower. "Dude, you have to tell me all about it."
That was a misunderstanding.
But then, Kyle couldn't bear to tell him the truth. That he had stayed up all night for no reason. It's not like it was a night of love making or anything like that. Just Kyle. In his own head.
"Yeah, man. I couldn't believe it happened," said Kyle—lying through his teeth. He told himself the truth was more unbelievable.
"Aw, man. I was really rooting for you with the whole celibacy thing," said Brower. "Guess you couldn't help it."
Kyle laughed a little.
"Well, all I've got to say is you remember your first and the one you're currently bangin,'" said Brower. "Everything in between is a blur."
"I'm just tryna wake up somehow, man."
"Grab some coffee. We'll talk later."
Kyle struggled to get through the rest of the day. Meanwhile, Brower was spreading the news like wildfire. The whole class was congratulating him on "becoming a man."
Even when Kyle returned to the dorms, one of the crew chiefs he knew shot him a congratulatory salute.
Kyle got back to his room. Erin was there waiting. Luckily, it was a Friday so he had all weekend to think of something to prolong this fabricated truth.
"Hey, you."
"Hey. I texted you earlier about the leftovers in the fridge."
Kyle had sat down on the recliner and was pulling off his boots. Erin got up and walked over to him.
"Yeah, thanks. I didn't think ahead. What was I going to eat while you were gone!?"
She laughed and then gently kissed him.
"I'm gonna rinse off real quick. You wanna get outta here?"
"Sure, how about my place for the weekend?" asked Erin.
"Sounds good to me."
End of Chapter 9