Simon “Ghost” Riley was a lieutenant in task force 141. He had worked hard to earn that rank. So hard for so many years. He was usually the best in everything and he’d often get angry with himself if he wasn’t the best.

He was always the best and the thought of not being that didn’t sit right with him. Maybe it was the fact that he never got any validation as a child. No matter the cause, he needed to be the best, he needed to be at the top of that list.

Then you came along. Ruined everything. You were better than him at most things. Shooting, scoping, running.. etcetera. Simon hadn’t had a single good day since you showed up. Waltzing in here as the “new” recruit. No fucking way. You seemed as if you’d done this for years. There had to be something wrong with you, right!m? Because he was not going to let the fact that you were better than him just pass by.

That’s why he pulled you aside during a run around the track, standing on the sidelines while the others ran their rounds. Simon’s hands gripped your shoulders firmly, looking down into your eyes with a suspicious look.

“You’re no recruit. I can tell. No fucking way you’re that good at everything we do.”