Yellow

The rest of the morning was an uneventful one. After eating breakfast, Z wandered around the entire base. With no missions or training to partake in, she had nothing to do. Syd had offered to do Z's makeup, but she had instantly refused. Instead, Z explored several rooms in the base, checked out some of the other lounges the academy had to offer, and she even went out into the training field just to watch the other cadets train. Overall, Z had been in search of some form of entertainment. The only thing that Z deemed entertaining was when she saw two cadets fighting one another over who had the highest obstacle course scores.

As of right now, Z was walking down a corridor of the base humming to herself. She eventually made it into the medical wing of the base and stopped in front of the infirmary doors. Z stared at the doors and mentally slapped herself. She didn't even think about visiting Sky. Deciding to do just that, Z entered the infirmary and made her way to Sky's bed.

When she arrived there, Z saw the chair Jack had pulled up earlier and sat in it. She stared at Sky's slumbering form and watched his chest slowly move up and down.

Well, at least you're breathing, Z thought and managed a tight smile on her face. She stood up and moved closer to Sky. Z reached over with her hand to Sky's face and brushed some of his hair up. She smiled again and sat back down.

"You know, none of us expected you to save Bridge yesterday," Z said to the unconscious Sky. "In fact, you just showed up and...well, yeah," she said with a frown. Z adjusted herself in the chair and and crossed her left leg over her right one. "You really took one for the team...for Bridge. You really do love him."

Sky continued to lay there, unresponsive. Nevertheless, Z spoke again.

"I feel like I was just getting to know you. It's been more than a week since I've joined you guys. Shortly after I was put on, you looked like you already accepted me as a part of the team." Z gave a shaky breath and rubbed her right eye. "Of course, maybe it's because Cruger made you accept me," Z said and gave a tiny chuckle. "But it doesn't matter. What matters now is that we're...or...were a team."

Z stood up from the chair and walked to the window that was behind her.

"Look at me, I'm talking to a man in a coma," Z remarked with a small laugh. But a tear slid down from her left eye and she wiped it off. "I know you...can't hear me, but I just wanted to say...thank you." Z turned around to face Sky's body. "Thank you for letting me be a part of the team. For being a part of something bigger." Z walked closer to Sky's body. "You get better, you hear me? I wanna show you just how much of that handbook I know more about than you." More tears spilled from Z eyes but she quickly wiped them away.

"Well...I guess that's all." Wiping her face a final time, Z left the infirmary.

Z entered the Common Room and saw Syd sitting on the couch, filing her nails.

"Hey, Syd?" Z called out.

"Yeah? What's up?" Syd asked looking up. She frowned when she saw Z's eyes were slightly red. "What's wrong?" Syd got up and walked over to Z.

Z shook her head. "Not much. Just some...allergies, that's all."

"You sure?"

Z nodded. "Yeah, don't worry. Say, you wanna do my nails too?"

Syd beamed. "Sure! I'll go get the rest of manicure set!" She turned and ran to her room she shared with Z.

Z smiled and sat down on the couch, waiting for Syd to return.

Another very short chapter. I apologize, but after we get through with Syd and Bridge visiting Sky, the chapters will be longer. So stay tuned! Until next chapter!