Spring, 1996
Jack Hale sat in the back row of History class, chin propped against his hands, eyes glazed as the teacher droned on about the Cold War. His notebook was open, but instead of notes, it was filled with doodles of Ken, Ryu, and Chun-Li from Street Fighter—rough sketches at best.
Jack had blond hair, sleepy blue eyes, and thick reading glasses that made him look more like a bookworm than a fighter. Just your typical white kid from the U.S.
A sharp nudge hit his arm.
"Yo, bro," whispered Tariq Jabari—TJ, his best friend. "You planning on taking notes, or just planning to copy off Rebecca again?"
TJ was a black kid with a wild afro. He'd been with Jack since middle school, always at his side through thick and thin. Jack smirked.
"Maybe. I'll even add a kiss as payment for her notes," he said jokingly.
Before TJ could answer, a hand smacked Jack on the back of the head. He turned to see Rebecca Chambers, brunette hair tied into a neat ponytail, her fair cheeks tinged pink at Jack's comment.
TJ looked between Jack and Rebecca. He'd known for years they had feelings for each other, but neither had ever acted on it—like they were waiting for the other to make the first move.
"I'm surrounded by idiots," TJ muttered. He leaned back in his chair and whispered toward Jack. "You keep saying you want a big family. Well, your wife's right here being handed to you, and you're doing nothing about it…" He sighed, shaking his head at the cowardice.
The final bell rang, cutting the lecture short. Students bolted for the door, but Jack lingered, stuffing his doodle-filled notebook into his bag. TJ slapped his shoulder.
"Arcade?"
"Gym," came another voice.
Koa Makoa stepped into the doorway. Bronze skin, black curly hair, broad shoulders, and a tribal tattoo spiraling down his forearm announced his Hawaiian roots before he even opened his mouth. He was Jack's foster brother, currently home on break from college. His presence filled the empty classroom like sunlight.
"Leg day, little brother. No excuses while I'm here."
Jack groaned. "You're going to tear me in half."
Koa smirked. "Brains and brawn, bruddah. You need both."
"Yeah," TJ added with a grin, "and I'm the brains."
Jack laughed as the three of them headed out together.
Rebecca passed by, hugging her books tightly to her chest, heading out of the classroom toward her extra lab hours. Jack called after her.
"Hey, Rebecca, can we go to the library after your internship? I really do need your notes… please."
Rebecca froze, her cheeks turning pink again, eyes wide like a deer in headlights. She gave the smallest nod before hurrying off.
Jack didn't notice her reaction—too busy grinning at TJ and Koa. But TJ noticed, and he shook his head.
One of these days, Jack. One of these days, you'll get it.
The three guys spilled out into the afternoon sun, laughing as they argued about whether to hit the arcade or the gym first. Jack noticed a crowd funneling toward the gymnasium and slowed his pace.
"Hey, look at this," TJ said, pointing toward a sign taped to the door:
U.S. Marine Corps — Information Session Today
TJ smiled excitedly. "Ooooh, perfect timing. Jack, you thinking about joining the armed service?"
"Not really," Jack muttered, adjusting his glasses.
"Liar," TJ said, smirking. "You've always talked about getting out of this town a million times. This could be it." Then he added with a grin, "Or, you know, put a ring on your girl Rebecca…"
Jack flushed, glaring at him before punching his shoulder hard. His face turned faintly pink, though he shook it off.
Koa laughed as he separated the two before it escalated. "Jack, he does have a point. What do you think you'll do after high school? Do you have a professional goal like Rebecca, or a personal goal? All I'm saying is—let's hear out the recruiter."
Jack stared at them, trying to come up with an answer. It was true—he never had much of a goal. At most, he just wanted to get out of this small town. Maybe get married to Rebe—
A sharp whistle blared through the school intercoms, cutting his thoughts short. The recruitment session was about to begin.
TJ shoved him forward. "C'mon, let's check it out!"
Inside the gymnasium, rows of students filled the bleachers. A tall man in uniform stepped onto the stage, crew cut sharp, medals gleaming. His voice boomed over the chatter.
"Ladies and gentlemen, my name's Staff Sergeant Mitchell. I'm here to talk to you about the opportunity of a lifetime."
The room fell quiet. Jack, TJ, and Koa sat down near the back.
"Alright, listen up.
You're at the age where everyone is asking the same question: What's next? Some of you will go to college. Some will stick around town. Some will figure it out later. But for a few of you—just a few—there's a different path. A harder path.
The Marines.
We're not the biggest branch, we're not the easiest, and we sure as hell don't take everyone. But that's the point. We are the few. The proud. The Marines.
You want challenge? You'll be tested like never before. You want purpose? You'll stand shoulder to shoulder with men and women who would die for you, just as you'd die for them. That's brotherhood.
And yes—you'll see the world. Not just postcards or TV commercials. I'm talking deserts, jungles, mountains. You'll be where history is being written, not sitting at home reading about it in the paper.
But I won't lie to you: it's not easy. You'll sweat. You'll bleed. You'll be pushed until you think you've got nothing left. And that's when you'll find out who you really are.
So here's the question: Do you want to stay the same… or do you want to become a Marine?"
Jack clenched his fist. The words burned into him deeper than he expected.
And just like that—everything started to change.