Stars Waited Above Empty Streets by Lorin Wren 219

Chapter 219 Good Friends 

Finished 

Ava gave a half–laugh and rolled her eyes. “Guys, death’s part of life. Stop acting like I’m some abandoned 

puppy 

“Really, I’m doing okay. Jonathan, my uncles, and my aunt all take good care of me. Grandpa may but I still have a family.” 

be 

gone, 

Noelle pressed a hand to her chest. “Good. That’s good. Ava, you’re too kind. Life had no right to be that cruel to you!” 

Was it cruel? Maybe. She didn’t have her parents, but she had real family again. That had to count for something. 

Shooting practice had been brutal for Ava. This phase was harder than she expected. 

She had no prior experience, not in this life or the last. She studied hard, but it wasn’t paying off. 

Her results were poor. Her scores weren’t close to winning model cadet. But those five extra credits were calling her name. She couldn’t let them slip away. After some thinking, she decided to ask for help. 

She grabbed the walkie and keyed in Laurent’s internal channel. She waited for him to pick up. 

He lived right next door, but he was rarely around. He barely stayed on base during the day and got home late at night. Sometimes, he’d vanish for a full twenty–four hours. 

Ava couldn’t figure out his routine. Her only move was to try reaching him first. 

The signal buzzed again and again with no answer. Ava let out a long breath and moved to hang up. 

A quiet male voice answered. “Hello…” 

“Laurent?” Ava paused. Something sounded off. “Wait, you’re not Laurent, are you?” 

“Who is this? The officer’s not here. He didn’t take his comms. Ma’am, who exactly-” 

“Sorry! Wrong channel!” Ava cut the line before he finished. 

The young soldier looked down at the walkie like it had grown legs. Why was a girl’s voice coming through? 

Over thirty minutes later, Ava had dozed off against her headboard. A knock on the door snapped her awake. 

She threw on her shoes and got up to answer it. 

Laurent stood outside and asked, “You called me?” 

Ava rubbed her eyes. “Yeah. But someone else answered, so I hung up.” 

“I stepped out to handle something.” He looked her over casually. “How’s training? Still keeping up?” 

Ava stepped back and waved him in. “Did you change the entire training program this year? Everyone says none of this stuff was in the old schedule.” 

Laurent nodded. “I looked at previous drills. They were boring and soft. There was no real training value. It didn’t push anyone.” 

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20:38 Tue, Jan 20 

Chapter 219 Good Friends 

Ava gave him a blank look. So it really was his doing. 

Finished 

“You know people think you’re a complete nightmare, right? Nobody has anything nice to say about you.” 

There were way harsher words, but Ava wasn’t about to say them to his face. 

“I’m the head this year. I’m not repeating the same lazy routine. I don’t care what they say. You’re already getting a watered–down version of real cadet training.” 

Ava stared at him. The others weren’t exaggerating. He really was a cold, tone–deaf machine. 

Laurent squinted slightly. “What’s that look? You think n going too far?” 

Ava coughed once. “Not really. I respect whatever orders my commanding officer gives.” 

“So, what, you’re falling behind? It’s too much for you?” 

Ava snapped. “Don’t insult me! I’m not about to tap out over this!” 

Laurent let out a deep, low chuckle. “Then why’d you call me tonight? What’s this about?” 

She hadn’t used his contact info even once until now. This was the first time. And he’d already told her how to get in touch a long while ago. 

Ava sat up straighter. “You know we’re in shooting training now. My scores are kinda bad. I was wondering if you could give me a few pointers.” 

Laurent lowered his gaze, locking eyes with her. “You want me to coach you privately?” 

Ava coughed twice, on purpose. “I mean… I’ve been studying, but it’s not sticking. If I keep this up, I’ll never get model cadet. Missing out on those five credits would suck!” 

“Model cadet means that much to you?” 

Ava nodded fast. “Earning credits is insane at Starry Heavens. They’re strict as hell. I checked the dropout rates–tons of people fail classes, and lots get kicked out!” 

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