Part Seventeen: Distance

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One day left before we leave for Iran. It's crazy how time flies.

As the clock runs down I feel myself growing more and more anxious about the mission.

I try my best to distract my thoughts by repeating Ghost's words in my head: "You'll be fine."

Will I be, though?

Why can't my mind ever just shut the fuck up?

There's nothing specific planned for today. We've been given the OK by Shepherd to rest up before we leave.

I want to spend time with Ghost but I'm not going to.

What happened between us can't happen again. We can't get close. It wouldn't be good for either of us.

THUD. THUD. THUD.

Please don't be who I think it is...

I open my door and see Soap smiling.

"Hey." I smile softly.

"Hey. Can I come in?" He asks somewhat nervously.

"Of course."

Soap enters my quarters and keeps standing to talk to me.

"You alright?" I ask concerned.

"Yeah, I just wanted to talk...you know, about the other day..." Soap looks to the side, avoiding my gaze.

What is he talking about?

"What do you mean?" I arch a brow, confused.

He's blushing.

"At the bar. Our kiss," he says softly, clearly nervous.

Oh shit. I totally forgot...

Fuck me.

"Oh, haha." I'm nervous now. "What about it? It was just a stupid drunken kiss, right?" I laugh awkwardly.

Soap looks down.

"I just...I mean since meeting you I've always thought that you were really cool and fun to talk to." He scratches the back of his head.

Oh, no.

"And it felt like there was a connection between us at the bar..."

Oh, no. No.

"Did you feel the same way?" Not the puppy dog eyes...

I don't want to hurt him.

"Soap I-" I take a deep breath. "I'm sorry. It was just a kiss. We were both way too drunk," I say pained.

He looks sad and I feel awful.

"You're great, Soap. You deserve someone better than me anyway." I attempt to ease the rejection.

"You're-"

THUD. THUD. THUD.

Huh?

What am I Ms. Popular today?

"Come in," I call out to the person behind the door.

It's Ghost. Oh, great.

Ghost notices Soap's here too.

"Everything alright?" Ghost asks, his tone firm.

I nod my head in response.

Soap looks at Ghost and then back at me.

"You shouldn't put yourself down." Soap catches my attention again.

What?

"You're great too." Soap places a hand on my cheek before taking his leave.

A Ghost Encounter: My Time with Simon "Ghost" RileyWhere stories live. Discover now