Stars Waited Above Empty Streets by Lorin Wren 212

Chapter 212 Good Show 

Finished 

The second the girl finished performing, the crowd broke into wild applause that shook the field. 

Ava walked right up with a big grin and said, “You were amazing! Seriously, thank you! You just saved Unit B’s entire reputation. Instructor Cavalli, we didn’t lose. Your dignity is saved!” 

Ivan chuckled at her tone and smiled along with her. 

While Unit B was all smiles, the mood over at Unit A had completely soured. 

They had their moment. Malory’s dance gave them both flash and praise. She could’ve stepped off the field gracefully. But instead, she had to provoke Unit B. 

“She really thought that’d work?” 

“That was just an excuse to shake her *ss.” 

“She just wants attention. And she gets it because she’s the captain. Doesn’t ask anyone. Just jumps in.” 

“Yeah, selfish much? At least Unit B’s captain asked her squad before making a move. Our girl just made it all about her.” 

“Keep your voice down. You know her and Ava already clashed yesterday. This was just round two.” 

“She’s so petty. If she’s got a problem, go report it. Oh wait, she won’t. And didn’t that officer explain everything last night? Why’s she still dragging it out?” 

Malory heard all of it. No one was even trying to whisper anymore. Her face flushed hot as she bit down hard on her lip. Her eyes welled up, but she held the tears back. 

Ava had just finished talking and glanced across the field She caught Malory staring at her with watery eyes and clenched lips. 

Ava pressed her mouth shut for a beat, then turned away without a word. 

The party didn’t wind down until close to 9:30. Once the hype finally broke, the crowd started to split. Ava said goodbye to Noelle and Zoey, then walked off by herself. 

The path was lit up on both sides, and the night felt still. Her building wasn’t far, but tonight, the one who usually waited in the shadows wasn’t there. 

The soldier on duty was new. She didn’t recognize him at all. Ava headed upstairs. She stopped for a moment in front of room 308, then turned and walked into 307. 

The day’s training hadn’t been too hard, but it lasted forever. The nonstop drills had drained her. She lifted her arm and sniffed. Gross. She reeked. She grabbed clean clothes, headed for the shower, and scrubbed herself down. Afterward, she washed her uniform in the sink. 

She dried her hair until it was still a little damp and let it fall loose behind her. She leaned back on the bed, grabbed the book she’d been reading, and picked up where she left off. 

Her eyelids started to feel heavy. She glanced at the clock. It was already eleven. Her eyes flicked to the walkie–talkie by her bed. Not a single beep. 

She closed the book, got up, and went to brush her teeth and rinse her face. She looked at herself in the 

20:37 Tue, Jan zu WBG. 

Chapter 212 Good Show 

mirror, gave her cheek a soft slap, and let out a quiet sigh. What the hell was she waiting for? 

14% 

Finished 

She slept through the night without a single dream. Her alarm went off right on time the next morning. The uniform she’d washed was fully dry. She dressed fast. 

Just as she finished, someone knocked on the door. She opened it and saw Laurent standing there. 

“Morning,” he said. “You want breakfast before heading out? I can tell your instructor.” 

Ava looked at the bags in his hands. “Where’s that from? 

“Picked it up outside,” Laurent said. 

“You just got back?” 

“Yeah. Some stuff came up last night. Didn’t make it back to the dorm.” 

He stepped inside, popped open the packaging, and started placing breakfast on the small table in her 

room. 

Ava noticed the dirt on his coat and the way his hair was a mess. He clearly hadn’t even gone to his own room yet. 

“You already ate? Want to eat with me?” 

Laurent pulled out a bowl of hot pumpkin soup and slid a spoon into it. “Yeah.” 

The breakfast spread was huge. But despite saying they’d eat together, Ava was the only one eating. Laurent just sat beside her, quietly handing her what she needed. When she put her spoon down, he smiled. “That’s all?” 

Ava nodded. “Why aren’t you eating?” 

“Who said I’m not?” He smiled again and picked up a meatball with a fork. “I just wanted to watch you eat first. You look so content when you eat. It makes me feel lucky.” 

Ava frowned slightly but let it go. “You don’t have to wait for me to finish first. I don’t like that. If we eat, we eat together. No ‘ladies first‘ crap.” 

Laurent paused for a second, then smiled softly. “Alright From now on, we eat together.” 

Once breakfast was over, he walked her downstairs. “I’ll head over on my own,” Ava said. “You should get some sleep. You look dead.” 

Laurent didn’t say anything. He stayed a few steps behind her. He didn’t walk beside her like he had yesterday. If she didn’t want people to know about them then he’d honor that. 

As Ava neared the guard station, she spotted the same young soldier from earlier. 

Bruno saw her too. He stayed put. 

But then his eyes drifted to the man walking behind her. The second he realized who it was, he straightened his back, threw his arm up, and saluted hard. “Morning, Major.” 

20:37 Tue, Jan 20 W. G. 

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