Dear Vault 101

Vault 101

Evan Hansen, 19. Soon to be 20. A typical blonde young man with hazel eyes, he never really stood out in the vault. The population barely breached 3,000. And Evan didn't mind being able to fade into the crowd. He only really had 4 friends, and that was alright with him.

He had Alana, she worked in politics. The Vaultpack Party, the majority in the vault. She had wanted to be a pre-vault historian, but the G.O.A.T. test decided otherwise. She was excellent so far, though still in training. She'd be the party representative by her 25th birthday, Evan was sure.

There was Zoe, a researcher. After the G.O.A.T. test, she never really spoke to him anymore. Evan had planned to get closer to her and maybe marry her, but his childhood crush had since faded into mild appreciation for her beauty. 

Of course the Pipboy technician, Jared Kleinman, son of the current overseer, was the person Evan was closest to. They had grown up together, and were always seen together. Evan couldn't remember a night they spent apart, always gossiping and reading books and listening to the radio as they relaxed on a bed, Jared's head always on his shoulder. Evan wasn't sure if Jared was aware of the implications of their constant proximity. Evan wouldn't bring it up anytime soon. He's sure it was unintentional.

Connor, Zoe's brother, was a curious case. He was always a troubled kid, throwing things at the teachers and pushing other kids away from him. He had intentionally flunked the G.O.A.T. test, which was already impressive in its own right. The overseer had him drafted as security as punishment, maybe even because it seemed to fit. After a long year, Connor retook the test, and became a nanny in the nursery. No matter what, Connor would always surprise him.

Which is probably why he didn't even bat an eye as Connor swung the greenhouse door open in the middle of the Vault 101 morning broadcast. Evan finished trimming the radish plant he was on before turning off his Pipboy radio.

"Connor?" Evan asked, calm as he avoided eye contact.

Connor shifted his weight from one leg to another, taking a few steps forward. He fixed his ponytail, tightening it the same way he always did.

"Evan, how are you?" Connor's tone was off, a bit awkward like it always was.

"I'm okay," Evan replied, moving to a planter a good 10 feet away from the taller brunette. "What do you need? Rations? I can't give you anything that isn't scrap."

Connor shook his head, leaning against the wall. Despite his no doubt long night taking care of the newest batch of children, he didn't seem all to tired. Though he still had bags under his eyes.

"No, I...I just wanted to say hi, I guess." Connor offered, scratching at his chin.

"Uhm...hi?"

Evan glanced at Connor, noting the flush on his face. He ignored it, starting to water the potatoes. Connor cleared his throat.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean for this to be...Evan, you're my friend."

Evan paused, then immediately started speeding up his gardening.

"I guess I am?"

"Yeah. You are. A good one."

Connor adjusted his jumpsuit and turned, leaving the greenhouse as the hour changed on the clock. It chimed six times, a cute little tune Jared had programmed just for Evan. Unfortunately, it also came with a vibration installment. One Jared still refused to remove.

Evan switched the feature off as it began to buzz up his elbow, signalling his co-workers were approaching the door. It was time to work. Connor could wait.

---

"-And then there was this lady, right, she wanted me to replace her padding. But--!"

"You did it last week?"