𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐈𝐒𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐃𝐀𝐖𝐍 | the 100

17 | Contact

"Help me through this. I can't do it by myself."

‧ ✩ ｡ ✭ ° ☆ ･ _______ ･ ☆ ° ✭ ｡ ✩ ‧

When Amber finally returns to camp, talking to Jules is her first priority. She finds her outside the dropship, laughing about something with Zeph and hitting his shoulder playfully. The sight baffles her. When she left last night, Jules had seemed so lost and shattered that Amber had been willing to try anything to pull her back from whatever abyss she was sinking into. And now, here she is, laughing, as if nothing could ever be wrong.

Amber swallows down her uncertainty and approaches them. "Hey," she says, and they quiet as they turn to her. She gives Jules a fragile smile. "Can we talk?"

Zeph glances between them, a furrow forming at his brow, but Jules tilts her head innocently. "You heard her," she says, somehow managing to sound lighthearted despite the clear edge in her tone. She crosses her arms and leans against the dropship, her eyes lingering on Zeph as his smile falters and he turns away with a disappointed nod. Once he's out of earshot, Jules's eyes glint at Amber with curiosity. "What's up?"

Amber shakes her head, unsure how to begin, but no matter what, she has to somehow push through Jules' forced casualness. "How are you? Are you feeling better?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," she scoffs at the question, dismissively sharp.

"Are you sure?" Amber presses, then lowers her voice as a hunting party walks past. "You didn't seem fine last night."

"Oh, really?" Jules raises an eyebrow, her lips curling into a teasing smile. But when the joke doesn't land and she sees Amber's serious face, she drops the smirk. "What do you mean?"

"Jules." Amber tightens her voice and leans closer, glaring into her friend with gravity. "You just shut down. You were there physically but it was like you... you were gone. I don't understand how you can suddenly act like everything's normal again after that. I was worried for you."

"Oh..." Jules grimaces as if everything finally clicks into place, but before Amber can say anything else, she pushes her concern away with a nonchalant shrug. "I was just tired. The days down here are long, it happens."

"Sure, but-"

"Amber," she interrupts. Then she softens her strict tone with a chirpy smile. "I don't even know what you're talking about. I'm fine. After the little drama with that brunette, all I remember is going to sleep."

Just as Amber is about to probe further, a guy from a boisterous group nearby shouts, "Hey, Jules!" stealing the girl's attention. "Jones thinks he can beat me in an arm wrestle, I need someone to make sure he doesn't cheat!"

Jules lights up. "Come on," she tells Amber, her voice filled with anticipation.

"Maybe later," Amber mumbles, still scanning her friend's face for some kind of hint that may help her understand.

Concern etches Jules' features as she bites her lip. "Are you okay?"

"Mhm," Amber mumbles, distracted by her own rapid thoughts. When Jules runs off, she hopelessly watches her crash into the group with laughter, then she sighs. She'll have to keep an eye on Jules in the future.

Wanting to be alone, she enters the dropship, but inside she finds the new girl, Raven, working on the radio. She watches from the entrance as Raven mutters under her breath, then in frustration slams the table.