I was getting a little worried about Badger. I had not seen him in a few days. After the ceremony, he was whisked away by Lyx and Eve into the med bay. Something about after-ceremony mandatory training. They didn't even let him breathe for a moment.

I was sitting with Esta when Saira came over. She looked happy.

"I'm proud of you." She told me, sitting down beside Esta.

"What did I do?" I rest my chin on my palm.

"You presented Badger to Eve." She's grinning.

"When you say it like that it sounds odd."

"The whole ceremony thing is odd, yes, but the point is you didn't stop him." Saira laughed, and Esta kept a steady eye on her as she spoke.

"Why would I stop him?" I asked her, motioning very vaguely to Esta.

"I already know. Saira told me." Esta says casually, now taking a bite from her meal.

"Okay, what the hell?" I turn to Saira, who raises her hands up.

"I didn't mean to. I'm sorry. It's just, we were gossiping, and Esta told me about how her brother was into men, and she had no idea. Then you just kind of popped into my head, and the secret, being so interesting, I couldn't keep my mouth shut." I roll my eyes at her excuse.

"You cannot tell anyone." I stared at Esta to enforce the idea. Esta just nods and gets back to eating. She had no care in the world. I guess I would prefer it that way.

"I support you; you know? That was never the issue." Saira takes my hand into hers and cradles it. I almost succumb to the urge to weep. I was missing the friendship we had built over the years.

"I knew that." I tell her, and it's right about now that Badger, Lyx, and Aeden come strolling into the common room.

Badger's hand is wrapped, which is an upsetting sight. He's already looking a little different. His hair was trimmed, which is kind of a bummer. I'm into his mid-length look. His clothes were completely different. They look futuristic- the stuff I see Eve wear. His hair is decorated with this gem head piece, and most unfortunately, he does not spare me one glance.

They walk to the food counter together, and I feel my heart sink deep into my chest. Saira squeezes my hand.

"He looks different." Saira comments, and I nod.

"He looks tired." Esta says between a few yawns. She covers her mouth and wafts around her mouth like it's helping to get rid of her fatigue.

"He does." I say, and it's true. His eyes have those purple bags beneath them. He usually has a tired look about him, but today it is incredibly noticeable. It is much worse than usual. Had the guild been that time consuming? He hadn't even visited me at night for training. I had sat on the rooftop by myself. The stars were nice, but they did not keep me much company.

"He has new responsibilities. He will be exhausted until he gets the hang of things, I'm sure." Saira explains, but even she sounds skeptical.

The trio moves to the center of the dining room. They all sit alongside each other. If you said they started spoon feeding him his food, I would have believed you- as close as they were sitting.

"So... odd. I'm going to go say hello." Esta proclaims, standing up. Saira instinctively follows her. They head across the room. I figure it would be best for me to stay put. Lyx wouldn't be too fond of my presence.

Saira and Esta talk to them for a while. I just focus on eating. Once I am done, I pick up my plate and set it in the trash. My back is turned when I hear his voice.

"Hey, Mitah." His voice is shy and awkward- like we haven't been together for a while now.

I turn around and puff my chest out a little. I try to look and act normal when I see him, but, man, he's in rough shape.

"They put you through a bootcamp or something?" I ask, and he frowns. I hate that.

"No, no. It's just been hard these past few days. I'm sorry I haven't been able to see you."

"Well, how about you come by my bunker tonight for a little?" I ask, and he looks back at the table. Saira and Esta are talking to Aeden, but Lyx is glaring right at us.

"I can't. Lyx wants me to practice with him tonight."

"Oh, does he?" I feel jealousy swell inside of me. I hate being a jealous person, but I can't help it when this man is clearly affecting Badger in a negative way. My hands ball into the fists at the thought.

"Quit that." Badger notices and crosses his arms on his chest.

"Well, have fun with Lyx tonight, babe." I grit my teeth and leave the common room. Badger opens his mouth to say something, but it never hits my ears. I wasn't sure if I was being unreasonable or not. To be honest, in this moment, I didn't care if I was.