"You have got to stop doing this," Jackson said while leaning over my bed.

"Doing what?"

"Making us all worry so much. It was just the other day we lost you in the Deadhead."

"Jackson, that was like two weeks ago," I couldn't help but grin at him. "You sound like a father."

"Well you're going to turn my hair gray," he chuckles. "How do you feel?"

"Honestly, hungry. Jeff said there was food?"

"Yeah," Jackson stood and got some soup.

I took the bowl from hims and ate a spoonful, this is pretty good even though it's cold. Siggy must have let it sit for a while and simmer.

"Is it your night to watch?," I asked scooping more broth into my mouth. The soup warming my insides, but the room was sill cold under all my blankets.

"Yeah, but they said I could just do from here. Two for one kind of deal."

"Smart," I tip the bowl to my lip and drink the broth until it's gone.

"Damn, girl," Jackson looked slightly horrified. "Did you want some more?"

I let out a tiny laugh and wipe my mouth," No, I'm okay. Water?" Jackson passed me a cup and I took a few drinks before setting it down.

"Well, you look a lot better."

"Thanks. I mean, I feel better."

"Good. Good."

"Jackson...?"

"Yeah?"

"Are you going to tell me what happened?," I placed my hands in my lap, ready to accept any fate.

"Oh... you mean..."

"Yes."

Jackson shifts in his seat," Are you sure? I mean you're recovering from being sick and I don't want to add to any stress."

"So it's bad news," I nod. "That's okay, I'm just glad I know."

"Oh no, I didn't say that!"

"Jackson, it's okay. I can handle it," I said calmly while my heart sank. It's okay... you got what you asked for. Jackson delivered on his end.

"Greenie, listen," Jackson sat on the edge of the bed. "I don't know what he meant, he kept skipping over the topic when I brought it up."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean I would say something casual like, 'I wonder if the new greenie will be a girl? Do you think she'll be like our Greenie now' and he would talk about what it takes to be a good Glader," Jackson was so sincere and I knew he tried as hard as he could. "The guy was just expertly dodging every question, I couldn't press too hard or it would blow it."

"Thank you, Jackson. It means a lot that you did that for me."

"What are friends for," he said like it as nothing.

I leaned over and wrapped my arms around him," It still means a lot," I say into his shoulder and I hug him.

"Anytime Greenie," he wraps his arms around my back and we sit there for a minute.

"Gosh, you're so warm," I say behind the chatter of my teeth.

"You're cold?," he pulls away. "How?! You have like 10 blankets!"

"I don't know," I pull them up around my neck and my teeth chatter.

"I can see if they have any more," he stands up.

"They w-w-won't h-help."

"Do you want some hot tea?" I shake my head and sink into the bed and then I feel someone tug the corner of the blankets away. "Scooch over," Jackson tells me. I lay still for a moment, he wants to get in bed with me? I'm so cold though, I do as he says and make room. Jackson slides in next to me and it felt like I had the sun tangled in my blankets.

"T-thank y-y-you," I say and I cuddle up to his chest. Jackson wraps his arms around me and rubs my back, it felt really good. "People are so g-going to think we're d-dating" I mumble into his chest.

His laugh shakes the bed," Yeah, you're probably right. But right now, I just want to make sure my friend is comfortable."

"Jackson?"

"Yes?"

"Could you stop calling me Greenie," I murmur before falling asleep.