The First Runner

Why can't people just do what they're told?

REWRITTEN

Jess POV

I woke up the next morning at my usual hour—early enough that the Glade was still half-asleep. Stretching until my back popped, I glanced out the small window. Today wasn't a running day for me. A rare break. It almost felt like I'd been gifted a day off, though I knew it wouldn't stay that way for long.

I tugged on a pair of shorts and a tank top, laced up my boots, and padded toward the kitchen. The scent of scrambled eggs and warm bread hit me before I even walked through the door, and my stomach answered with a growl loud enough to make me roll my eyes at myself.

Alec was already there, sleeves pushed up, moving between the pan and the counter like he owned the place. He spotted me and smirked. "Morning, Jess." He slid a chipped mug across the counter with practiced aim. "How'd the princess sleep?"

I caught the coffee and grinned. "Not bad. Dreams were mercifully Greiver-free, so I'll call it a win." I took a sip. "What about you? Did you dream about your adoring fan club again?"

He snorted. "Ha. If by fan club you mean the thirty greenies snoring like dying hogs outside my window, then yeah."

I laughed and leaned against the counter, still nursing my coffee. "Could be worse. At least they didn't crawl into bed with you. Imagine waking up with Gally spooning you."

Alec grimaced. "Thanks for that image, Jess. Really. I'll cherish it forever."

"Anytime," I said sweetly, before stealing a piece of bread from the cooling rack.

He pretended to glare. "You know, some of us are actually cooking for other people."

"Relax. You're lucky I don't eat half the pot before the rest wake up. Perks of being up early."

Before Alec could fire back, there was a knock at the door. I raised a brow and went to open it. Standing there was one of the Greenies from last night, looking both nervous and eager.

"Hey, Siggy," I said, leaning against the frame with my coffee. "What can I do for you?"

"Morning, Jess. I was just wondering if I could help out with breakfast?"

"Hallelujah," Alec muttered from the stove. "Someone else who knows which end of a spoon to hold."

I smirked and waved Siggy inside. "You heard the man. Get in before he changes his mind."

"Thanks," Siggy said, slipping past me with an easy grin. Within minutes, he'd slotted himself next to Alec, chopping and stirring like he'd been doing it for years.

I raised my brows at Alec. "Careful, he's making you look bad."

"Please," Alec scoffed, but his lips twitched. "Let the kid try. He doesn't have my flair."

I stole another piece of bread, earning a shove from Alec this time. "Keep that up and I'll make you serve breakfast naked," he muttered.

"Tempting, but I think I'll pass," I said breezily, ducking out of reach.

By the time the sun had properly risen, the three of us had managed a full spread—eggs, bread, something vaguely resembling porridge. Enough to feed the small army of boys who still hadn't bothered to crawl out of bed.

Alec poured himself another cup of coffee and shook his head at me. "You know, I forget you're usually the only other one awake at this hour. Everyone else acts like getting up before noon is a death sentence."

"Yeah," I said, finishing the last sip of my own. Then I smirked. "Guess that means it's my sacred duty to go wake the sleeping beauties."

"Make sure you scream in their ears," Alec called after me. "And if you wake Gally first, tell him I said good morning, sunshine."