Chapter 2
"Eyes right! Eyes front!" Logan's voice cut through the thick heat, sharp and absolute.
I snapped to attention, gaze fixed ahead, though I could still make out Ryan and Olivia's stunned expressions from the corner of my eye.
They probably couldn't figure out why someone as spoiled as me would choose to be here.
Freshman Boot Camp was way tougher than I'd ever imagined. Standing at attention, marching in formation—every move was torture under the burning sun.
Sweat beaded on my forehead. My uniform stuck to my skin, drying again and again into stiff, salty streaks.
My chest started to feel tight, and my breath came short and quick.
That was the telltale sign that an asthma attack was coming.
I quietly adjusted my breathing, fighting to keep the discomfort at bay.
When the break whistle finally blew, everyone dropped to the ground, exhausted.
"Here." A hand shoved a cold water bottle toward me.
I looked up. It was Ryan.
His face twisted with anger as he shoved the water into my hand.
"Yvonne," he snapped, "what do you want? You don't have to act this tough here."
Olivia hurried over behind him, her face full of concern. "Yvonne, you look really pale. Are you okay? Don't overdo it. What if something happens? Do you want me to talk to Mr. Hayes?"
Her voice was just loud enough for a few nearby classmates to hear, and soon whispers began to spread.
"What's wrong with Yvonne? She looks as pale as a ghost."
"I heard she has asthma. Why is she even here? Is she trying to hurt herself?"
"Oh no. If she collapses during training, our whole squad's score will take a hit."
Olivia got exactly what she wanted. Under the cover of fake concern, she quietly turned everyone against me, leaving me isolated.
I twisted off the cap and took a big swig. The cold water cooled the fire in my chest for now.
"I'm fine," I said, meeting Olivia's eyes, my voice steady. "I know my own limits. You don't need to worry about me. We're not close."
Olivia's face paled, her eyes reddening as she bit her lip in hurt. "I-I just worried about you."
"My girlfriend doesn't need your concern," Ryan cut in, shielding Olivia behind him.
He shot me a glare. "Yvonne, since when did you become so difficult? She's being nice. What's with your attitude?"
I watched Ryan jump to defend Olivia, finding it laughable.
In my previous life, he was always like this, taking her side, blaming me for being "unreasonable."
"Ryan," I said, standing up and holding his gaze. "From now on, I'm not your girlfriend."
The air seemed to freeze.
Ryan stood there, stunned, like he couldn't believe what he'd heard.
Olivia hid behind him, but I caught a smug look flicker in her eyes.
"Everyone up. Fall in." Logan's command sliced through the silence.
I didn't spare Ryan or Olivia another glance. I turned and walked straight to my place in formation.
That afternoon was the two-mile run. For most, it was tough. But for me, it was torture.
Halfway through, my lungs were burning. Each breath came out ragged. My vision blurred, and my legs started to give out.
I clenched my teeth and kept going.
Just as I was about to collapse, a hand reached out from behind and held my arm.
"If you can't keep going, report it." Logan's low voice sounded, his expression unreadable.
He'd fallen into step behind the squad at some point, and was now running right beside me.
"Reporting, instructor, I can keep going," I forced out through gritted teeth.
He gave me a long look, said nothing, but kept his hand on my arm.
His hand was big and warm. Even through the thin fabric of my uniform, I could feel his steady, reassuring strength.
Finally, I finished the run and collapsed right there.
I grabbed my inhaler from my pocket, took two quick puffs when no one was looking, and slowly caught my breath.
When I looked up, I locked eyes with a pair of deep, intense eyes.
Logan stood not far away, watching me quietly.
He saw it all.
His gaze was sharp, like he could see right through all my masks.
I instinctively clenched the inhaler in my hand, my heart skipping a beat.
Would he think I was faking a medical condition to get sympathy, like he did in my previous life?
Logan calmly looked away and turned to the rest of the group. "Take a ten-minute break."
He didn't call me out or ask any questions.
He was a bit different from the guy I remembered.
Ryan took the chance to come over, his face stormy. "Yvonne, we need to talk."
"I've got nothing to say to you," I replied, not even bothering to look at him.
"What gives you the right to break up with me?" he hissed, his voice thick with offended anger. "Just because Mr. Hayes is backing you up, you think you're hot stuff now?"
He glanced toward Logan not far away, his eyes full of hostility and jealousy.
I couldn't help but laugh. "You think the world revolves around you, huh? My decisions have nothing to do with anyone else."
"You!" Ryan was so angry he could barely speak.
Just then, Olivia strolled over, playing the helpful friend, holding my wallet in her hand.
"Yvonne, you dropped your wallet," she said, handing it to me, her gaze flickering. "I saw it slip out of your pocket during the break."
I took the wallet and flipped it open for a quick look.
The black card rested quietly in the inner pocket.
Looked like the script from my previous life was about to start all over.