This morning, the common room was bustling with chatter and commotion. I spot Esta and Briar at a table and take myself a seat. Briar perks up and fills me in immediately.

"Mitah, looking good today. Did you hear about what happened?"

I hum, "Mm, nope. What's going on?"

My mind immediately goes to horrible things. Another war, someone died- worse, Badger died. Badger died last night, and it's all my fault- and I'll never see him again...

Well, it was none of that.

"Raine went in for a checkup because she was feeling sick." Esta starts, and Briar throws her hands to her face. A large smile is spread across her face as she says it.

"She's pregnant!"

"Badger did blood work on her. She's around six weeks." Esta finished, much calmer than before. "She blew up at Carro like half an hour ago in front of everyone. Everyone's talking about it now."

"The one of few times I choose to sleep in." I grumble, rubbing my eyes with my palms. "I need some coffee."

I get up, and Briar trails behind me. I just barely catch Esta roll her eyes.

"So, are you doing anything today?" She asks me as I pour a cup of old coffee into one of the issued mugs. They're all this horrid yellow color. I wonder if Liri made that decision.

"Oh, you know, the usual training."

She nods, crossing her hands down by her waist. I can tell she's nervous about something.

"Let it out Briar. You look like you're about to throw up."

"Okay, fine. I heard about you and Badger. I just wanted to know if it was true- because, you know, I've been interested in you for a while now..." She looks flustered, and I feel horrible. Briar is a nice girl, and she deserves a good person. I am not that person for her. And I never will be.

"Yes, it's true. We've been together since a few weeks after he got here." I speak. And I think that's the first time I've said it out loud with my chest. It feels nice to finally be allowed to say it.

"Oh... Well, that's a long time. I'm happy for you two."

I turned around and faced her. She looks incredibly dejected.

"And I'm proud of you for confessing your feelings. That isn't an easy thing to do, you know? I'm sorry that I don't feel the same. You'll find someone."

She takes a deep breath.

"You sure? I've been real lonely ever since I got here. I don't make friends very easily."

"I'm sure of it."

That gets a small grin from her.

Later, I find Badger when he has a break for lunch. He's sitting with Aeden and Aven. It had been a while since he had talked to Aven. When what happened in the cafeteria happened, I felt bad because Aven was one of Badger's first friends here.

It seemed Badger still hadn't forgiven him, and he's almost completely turned to Aeden, who's carefully reading a printed document laid across the table- so much for a lunch break.

"What's that about?" I ask, smacking my lips and sitting beside Aven- the only option available.

"Oh, and he sits beside me." Aven grins, and Badger rolls his eyes.

"Wouldn't you rather sit on my lap?" Badger shoots a glare at Aven, playfully patting his thighs, and I know this isn't really about me sitting on his lap at all, as enticing as it sounds.

"Okay guys, relax. No sex at the lunch table." Aeden says so nonchalantly, and Aven lets out a hideous laugh.

I just focus on sipping my coffee. Badger hardly looks flustered. He just grunts and leans over to look at the paper Aeden's focused on.

My question is thoroughly ignored by all three of them, and I sit for another two minutes in complete silence. They are extremely invested in the document.

"So secretive. I guess I'll get a jumpstart on my training then. Running laps today." I say and chug down the rest of the coffee as I stand, pushing the chair back abruptly with my knees.

"Why the rush? Are you alright?" Badger looks to me, concerned. Like he did something wrong. He didn't.

"I've just got some warming up to do. That's all." I wave my hands in the air.

"It's the Healer's Guide, Mitah." Aeden crosses her arms. "We are reading over it because we haven't had a pregnancy here in ages. We also aren't allowed to share the Healer's Guide to any non-healer. Hence our silence."

"The more I learn about healers, the more cultic you guys get."

"That didn't deter you too much." Aven teases, bringing a muffin up to his mouth to hide a grin.

"Badger." I say, and he's snapping his head up from the guide.

"Yeah?"

"See me at the bunk later tonight. I need to talk to you." I smirk, grabbing the apple off of Aven's tray and biting into it.

"What the hell man?" He gapes.

I'm gone before I can stay in the presence of Aven's rage. However, I hear Aeden speak to Badger from a distance.

"Someone's getting lucky tonight."

"I wish he'd talk to me like that!" Aven sighs.

Badger just laughs, and I feel my heart lurch with affection. It's enough to get me through the endurance training.