𝕮𝖎𝖌𝖆𝖗𝖊𝖙𝖙𝖊 𝕯𝖆𝖞𝖉𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖒 - Teen timeline

𝕿𝖍𝖎𝖗𝖙𝖞 𝕺𝖓𝖊

Veronica's knee bounces up and down lightly as Gen, Taissa and Van files in after Natalie in the two's shared hut.
Natalie sits close to Veronica, close enough that the two's knees lightly touch.
Veronica offers Natalie a soft smile, something the bleach blonde is happy to give back.
Everyone's attention shifts towards the entrance as Misty stands there, shifting on the balls of her feet.
"What's up, Misty?" Veronica asks.
"Are you guys meeting now? Do you want me to, um, take minutes?"
"Nope," Van bluntly replies, shaking her head.
"Thanks, uh, Misty, but, uh, we're good. Um, you were the MVP today. You should just relax. Enjoy it," Nat responds.
Misty forces a smile, nodding her head, "Okay," she keeps the forced smile plastered on her face even as she turns around, walking away.
"Bye, Misty," Van says in a sing-song voice, earning a smack from Taissa.
Veronica gives Van a soft glare, "You don't have to be so mean to her, you know?"
Van rolls her eyes, "Oh, lighten up, Howard,"

"So," Natalie clears her throat, looking around the group, "Who's up first?"
The four girls all take turns glancing at each other, none of them saying anything.
"Okay then," Nat glances around, her eyes landing on Veronica before flicking over to Gen.
"How's the hunting lately?"
"Good," Gen answers, Natalie nods before nudging Veronica.
"It's going fine," she begins, "The deer are running like crazy in the North Valley. It seems like we will have a pretty steady food source for a while. Hopefully,"
Taissa tilts her head at Veronica "Have you seen anything while you're out there, Vee?"
Veronica furrows her brows, "Like what?"
"Like murderous pyro tracks?" Van responds.
Veronica can't help but clench her fists to avoid showing the others the sudden shake in her hands. She sucks in a sharp breath and avoids glancing over at Natalie as the reference of Ben floats around in the air.
"Stop," Natalie's voice cuts through the conversation. "You guys, we've talked about this. There's no way that he's alive,"
"Nat," Van deadpans.
"I've scouted every inch of this place for miles. There's no sign of him. Either he starved or he froze to death. I'm telling you, Coach is dead,"

Veronica has to swallow down the disagreement that climbs up her throat, knowing it wouldn't be of any use in this moment.
Veronica didn't believe Coach was dead.
She and Nat both knew where he was heading and they knew that if Javi was able to survive two months out there, Coach probably would be able to survive time out there too.
Coach Ben wasn't someone Natalie and Veronica liked to talk about often.
While it was a sore spot for both of them, it was especially hard for Natalie.
Veronica knew Coach Ben was the closest thing to a stable father figure Natalie had ever had, even prior to the crash those two had a bond that no one else had with the man.
Veronica often treaded water whenever the topic was brought up, not wanting to open old wounds for Natalie. She remembers how much of a wreck she was when he left.

The three girls all stare up at Veronica and Natalie, conflicting looks in there eyes.
"Nat's right," Veronica speaks up. "There has been absolutely no sign of him in any direction we've been in. If he was around, we would have seen a trace of him by now,"
"How can you know for certain, Vee?" Taissa asks.
Veronica sighs, "I can't know anything for certain, but I have a pretty strong feeling in my gut,"
It's an easy lie. One Veronica has said many, many times since the cabin burnt down.
Natalie sighs after a moment of silence, "Okay. Well, I guess that's it,"
Gen and Van already are standing to leave the shelter, Taissa holds back for a moment.

Veronica stands up with Natalie, preparing to exit but Taissa stops them both.
"Hey, Nat," Taissa says, "Can we talk?"
Natalie holts her movements, staring up at Taissa.
"This thing between Shauna and Mari," Taissa begins.
"Shauna's in a mood and Mari's Mari," Natalie responds. "It'll blow over,"
Veronica nods, "We all get into petty arguments, Tai. It's not the biggest thing we've faced out here,"
"Yeah, well It's not like this morning was the first time. I really think you need to talk to them,"
"I don't think that would work Tai. It seems like it would only make things more tense," Veronica says, earning an eye roll from Taissa.
"Vee, you seriously think doing nothing is better than doing something? Natalie, you need to talk to them,"
"And what? Tell them to start liking each other or else?" Natalie laughs slightly, "Maybe I should make them say one nice thing about each other," Natalie laughs again, "Come on. Tai, it's dumb girl shit. We have, you know, we have actual life or death to deal with here,"
"That's the point, Nat," Taissa says firmly, "Maybe out here, it's all life or death. Don't forget what happened to Jackie," Taissa gives Natalie one last look before leaving the shelter.