Hadji paused at the door to Jessie's room, hesitant to enter.
It was a few hours after he had helped his friend lay down and actually sleep for a change. He didn't wish to wake her up; however, he was deeply concerned about Jessie's well-being. She needed to eat something.
He shifted the tray that held the orange juice and turkey sandwich from his left to his right arm and knocked on the door lightly...His knocking was answered by a low moan. Hadji opened the door a crack and peered inside. Satisfied that it was safe to enter, he pushed the door open and padded softly to Jessie's bedside, then sat on the edge of the bed.
After a gentle shaking of her shoulder, Jessie's eyes fluttered open. She at first appeared confused, but realization of why Hadji was in her room quickly dawned on her. She propped herself up on her elbows and rubbed at her face before sitting up fully.
"Hey Hadji."
He merely nodded solemnly at her greeting and held out the orange juice and sandwich. Jessie gratefully took the orange juice, but shook her head at the offering of food. Hadji's brow furrowed in consternation.
"My friend, I beseech you to eat something."
Jessie's voice was soft and low in response.
"I'm not hungry."
The girl then heard something that she highly doubted anybody had ever heard before...
Hadji sighed in exasperation.
A raised eyebrow.
"What?"
He shook his head and said in a gentle but firm voice-
"I do not care whether or not you have hunger. You must eat something."
Jessie rolled her eyes and took the sandwich.
"Fine."
She began to eat the sandwich slowly, and the two talked for awhile. It was not too long, however, before the conversation turned to the events that had transpired earlier.
"Hadji?"
"Yes Jessie?"
She set what remained of the sandwich and juice on her nightstand.
"How did you get to the lighthouse when you did?"
Hadji looked down at his hands uncomfortably.
"I just...I had a feeling..."
His hands were grasped by small light hands. Hadji raised his warm brown eyes to Jessie's piercing green eyes. Jessie smiled genuinely for the first time in weeks.
"Thanks Hadji."
He smiled back.
"It was nothing."
There was an awkward silence as the two continued to look into each other's eyes and their smiles slowly faded. Suddenly, Hadji cleared his throat and stood up jerkily.
"I-I must go now...I have not yet been in meditation today and...I will see you later, my friend."
The young man quickly stumbled out of her room, leaving Jessie staring bewilderedly at the spot where he had just been.