Chapter 148
Both Madison and Sebastian were majors.
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They held the same rank, with the same stars on their shoulders, and even got promoted around the same age, both became majors at twenty–four, making them the youngest in their units.
At their age, having that rank was something that would earn them respect anywhere.
But now, the reality was staring them in the face. Natalie had beaten them fair and square.
But there wasn’t a hint of arrogance in her words, just an undeniable sense that this was simply how things were
3londie grinned as he dug into his food. ‘Damn it, Talia got me again!‘
A few minutes later, people started filing into the cafeteria.
When they walked in and saw Natalie sitting there, everyone fell silent.
At the start of the run, they’d been saying stuff like women would run out of steam, that they’d pass her in no time.
But by the end, she was nowhere to be seen.
Now their faces were burning with embarrassment, and after asking about her score just now, they genuinely respected her
Forget about the other subjects, just for this one, they had to admit she was the real deal.
Kelly staggered into the cafeteria, her whole body drained. When she glanced at Natalie, shock and awe flashed in her eves she couldn’t believe what she’d just witnessed.
ust two hours ago, Kelly had pegged Natalie as some rich girl from the capital, here just to pad her resume Now. Natalie vas blowing everyone else out of the water, and Kelly couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed for ever doubling her
Carrying 55 pounds over 10 kilometers, Kelly had just set her fastest time yet, I hour and 39 minutes, a full five or six ninutes faster than her previous best with a 45–pound load.
Even though she made it to lunch, her score was still at the bottom of the pack.
You never really know your limits until you push yourself, Kelly thought. Honestly, if it wasn’t for getting lugen have even tried this hard.
But what really got me was hearing those guys trash–talking, saying women can’t keep up that pissed me off so y stormed ahead and forced myself to run another two kilometers out of pure stubbornness
Forget the food. This was about proving a point. No way was I letting those guys look down on me or any other wounds
Kelly grabbed her lunch and quietly made her way over to Natalie’s table, feeling a little nervous.
She looked at the empty spot beside Natalie Can I sit here?”
Natalie looked up and said, “Yeah, then got up to grab another plate of food
Madison and Sebastian looked at their plates, then at Natalie
‘How does she eat so much and still stay so thin?‘ they thought.
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Chapter 148-
Wohdie grinned, “She cats a ton. Just wait you’ll see for yourselves”
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Everyone nodded; it made sense. With all that physical training, especially for someone as skinny as her, she definitely needed to eat more.
As they walked out of the cafeteria, they could hear Noah chewing people out on the training field
About seven or eight people were standing around out there, including the ones who’d been mocking Natalie Kelly, and Blondie back in the supply room.
As Natalie and the others walked past, Blondie rubbed his stomach with a satisfied grin. “Dang. I’m so full I could exploder That was awesome!
I’m so skinny, gotta eat more or I’ll starve!”
Xavier stood ramrod straight, his eyes fixated on Blondie’s stomach, lips pressed into a thin, fight line.
Sunny, annoyed by Blondie’s blatant show–off, thought, ‘It’s just a cross–country run, big deal. It’s not like that’s the only thing we’re competing in.
So he beat us this time, but that doesn’t mean he’ll win at everything else. Don’t get cocky yet.
Noah paced back and forth in front of them, hands clasped behind his back.
Today was just a warm–up. Going hungry for one meal won’t kill you,” he barked.
But starting tomorrow, there’s an elimination line every day. It’s not just about missing lunch anymore. If you can’t keep up. back your bags and get lost.”
Understood?”
Understood!”
l’heir voices rang out as one. Noah shot them a final look, then turned and walked away.
After that, there were no more whistles calling everyone together. People just went off to do their own thing
The communal wash area was all the way at the east end of the dorms, lined with cement sinks and about a dozen auerts
When Blondie walked in carrying his plastic basin, he saw a few people were already there.
He found a spot in the corner by the wall, set his basin down, and turned on the faucet
He soaked his towel, wrung it out a bit, and gave his face a quick wipe
Then he tossed the towel over his shoulder, bent over, and started scrubbing his uniform
His training uniform was soaked through with sweat, when he wrung it out in the water, you could see white wall statis clouding up the basin
He twisted open the laundry detergent, just as he was pouring some in, when something suddenly came flying from the side and landed dead center in his basin
The water splashed up into his face, and the reeking smell of mud and sweat hit him full force, making Blondie nearly retch. Blondie scowled and glanced down. It was a balled–up pair of filthy socks
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Damn. That’s disgusting! Whose nasty socks are these?” Blondie shouted, nearly retching
The smell hit him so hard. Blondie jerked back and leapt three steps away from the sink
‘Oops! Sorry about that. Blondie‘
Xavier and Sunny came in. goofing off. Xavier said it, but his face was all smag. He clearly didn’t mean it
EXE VIOLEN
Blondie just stared, hands on his hips, totally speechless. “What did you do, marinate these socks? Did you run 10 kilometers n them and then shower without taking them off?”
Xavier, these gotta be yours, right? Seriously, smell them! Dude, these socks are so nasty, you could use them as bio- weapons on the battlefield!”
When Xavier and Sunny just stood there doing nothing, Blondie was already looking annoyed.
Why are you just standing there? Hurry up and fish those things out for me! My clothes are getting contaminated by your iohazard socks!” Blondie snapped.
Xavier stood by the sink, still holding his basin, his face flushing and then turning pale as Blondie went off on him with a Iramatic rant.
He’d definitely done it on purpose, but what he didn’t expect was that Blondie wouldn’t get mad. He’d just be totally grossed out and make a huge fuss about it.
Blondie made such a scene that everyone in the washroom heard him loud and clear.
someone nearby couldn’t help but let out a laugh, then quickly clapped a hand over their mouth, shoulders shaking with uppressed giggles.
I said sorry, didn’t I?” Xavier muttered as he set his basin in the sink. “It just got knocked over by accident.”
An accident, really?” Blondie shot back, clearly not buying it
Blondie pressed his tongue against his cheek and tilted his head, looking at Xavier with obvious annoyance
Xavier, what kind of attitude is that? You walked in from the door, passed three sinks, and landed your socks ngin basin. Yeah, real ‘accident, huh?”
Blondie took two steps forward, getting right up in Xavier’s face, and let han have it
‘If you aimed that well when you were running, you’d be eating right now! Blondie snackest
That jab hit Xavier right where it stings
His face turned bright red, lips pressed tight jaw muscles bulging, and the veins on his temples throbbing
He stepped forward, chest bumping Blondie hard “Can you even talk
“Why are you yelling? Can you even speak?
“Enough, Blondie!”
Sunny came over and plunked his basin down in the stuk. his voice sharp and full of ruste
“It’s just a pair of socks, man Why are you getting all worked up just wash them and moss on Qual whining like sonu
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drama queen, Synny shot back.
Blondie snorted, thinking, ‘Man, these two are just here to stir things up. “Alright, you think you’re tough Then you boo
it!”
He didn’t even give Sunny a chance to react, just grabbed him by the back of the neck and shoved his face right into biohazard socks.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.

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