Free Free For Him by Sophie Stern

Prologue
     
    April 12 th
From: StaffSergeantAwesome
To: CutieFrog

Hey CutieFrog. Guess it’s about time I finally write you. Just wanted to thank you for the box of goodies you sent. The cookies were insane. I may have eaten them all. Please send more.

Chris
     
    April 13 th
From: CutieFrog
To: StaffSergeantAwesome

SSgt Awesome? Really? Someone’s a bit sure of himself ;). I’m glad you liked the cookies. I made them with love! Please tell me you’re taking care of my big brother and keeping him out of trouble! He tends to overdo it.

xoxo, Sarah
     
    April 15 th
From: StaffSergeantAwesome
To: CutieFrog

I do what I can, but I make no promises. Garrett has a mind of his own! Just kidding, though. Garrett’s a great guy. He’s always making sure the rest of us are doing our best, following safety protocols, etc. What about you? Is my little CutieFrog staying out of trouble?
     
    April 17 th
From: CutieFrog
To: StaffSergeantAwesome

YOUR CutieFrog? ;) I am not staying out of trouble. Well, I’m trying to. Sort of. I have a date tomorrow. I’m nervous. Don’t tell Garrett.
     
    April 18 th
From: StaffSergeantAwesome
To: CutieFrog

What’s a girl like you have to be nervous about? You’ll knock ‘em dead. I know you’re Garrett’s kid sister, so I should be telling you not to date or to save yourself or something like that, but I’ll just say that you shouldn’t worry. Just be yourself. If he doesn’t see what I see, then he’s an idiot.
     
    April 19 th
From: CutieFrog
To: StaffSergeantAwesome

The date went soooo bad. Ugh. I should swear off men.

April 20 th
From: StaffSergeantAwesome
To: CutieFrog

What happened?

CutieFrog: Hey
StaffSergeantAwesome: Woah, hey! A real chat. I’m surprised.
CutieFrog: Well, you know. I saw you were online, so I figured this was easier than emailing back and forth, sometimes waiting days for a response.
StaffSergeantAwesome: Come on, now. I’m not that bad!
CutieFrog: I know.
StaffSergeantAwesome: So, how was the date?
CutieFrog: So bad!
StaffSergeantAwesome: Tell me all about it.
CutieFrog: He was 20 minutes late meeting me and then he showed up smelling like smoke.
StaffSergeantAwesome: Not a fan of smokers?
CutieFrog: Not so much.
StaffSergeantAwesome: Okay, what else?
CutieFrog: It was just everything. He didn’t hold the door, he was rude, he didn’t ask me about myself…it might sound selfish, but I don’t just want to talk about the guy on a date. I kinda wanna talk about me, too. Doesn’t he want to know what’s important to me?  Doesn’t he want to hear what I value? Maybe I’m being childish…
StaffSergeantAwesome: Not at all. I think if you’re going to take the time to go out with someone, you should know what you’re getting into. What’s the point of dating someone you can’t stand, you know?
CutieFrog: Exactly!
StaffSergeantAwesome: So, Sarah…what are you interested in?
CutieFrog: Why, SSgt…are you trying to date me?
StaffSergeantAwesome: I’m just trying to learn a little more about the girl who makes the best chocolate chip cookies in the world.
CutieFrog: You flatter me! Oh, well, let’s see. I like to draw and paint and jog. I work at a law office, but it’s not my favorite thing in the world.
StaffSergeantAwesome: What’s your favorite thing in the world?
CutieFrog: Talking to cute deployed boys on the Internet.
StaffSergeantAwesome: Aw, and here I thought I was special!
CutieFrog: You are special.
StaffSergeantAwesome: :D
CutieFrog: What about you, SSgt? What do you like to do for fun?
StaffSergeantAwesome: Well, when I’m not working (which is all the time), I like to read. Don’t have much time for that here, though. Sometimes I kick your brother’s ass in Halo.
CutieFrog: Ha! He’ll never admit to that.
StaffSergeantAwesome: Don’t I know it.
CutieFrog: Speaking of brothers…how is Garrett? He hasn’t written me much lately. Is he doing okay?
StaffSergeantAwesome: