You had completely given up. The constant torture of reliving the same exhausting scenarios that lead to nowhere had sucked the hope out of you. You couldn't break free. So here you were, standing in a cryo pod. You let the cold take over your entire body. You close your eyes and slowly, it all fades away.

Distantly, you can hear the hiss of the cryo pod door opening. You couldn't move, open your eyes, or speak. "Friend?... Is... Is that you?" The voice echoed in your mind. There was nothing you could do. Your body falls limp and the ice that had accumulated around you breaks apart, crashing against the floor. Illinois catches you, arms burning from your frozen skin. His brows pinch at the sight of your almost lifeless body. He knew that he couldn't just leave you here.

You sit up, gasping for air as your senses come back to you. The aroma of a campfire fills your lungs. Eyes blinking open, you find yourself lying in a sleeping bag. Several blankets are wrapped around you and you're surrounded by camping supplies. "Where... am... I..." You barely manage to speak. Illinois looks over to you with unbelief. He nearly tumbles, knocking over his canteen of water as he moves closer to you. "Easy, old friend. You're safe." Hearing the familiar voice, you turn in its direction. You think you must be dreaming in your frozen slumber. "Ill... Illinois?" Your voice is weak and shaky, like the rest of your body. You couldn't stop shivering. He drapes another blanket over your shoulders. "I really thought for a second there... that you weren't gonna wake up." Illinois admits, reaching over to grab a steel cup. "Here, drink this." He gives you the steaming cup and you carefully bring it to your lips. It's soup. The hot liquid warms your soul as you drink it. "You've been through a lot... Haven't you?" Illinois says. You just nod. "You can tell me all about it when you're better. I'm gonna take good care of you. Don't you worry." He speaks calmly, pulling your blankets closer to your body.

The past few months at Happy Trails have been just fine by you. You eat free meals, do a few easy chores, and take nice, hot showers at the end of each day. You have a few acquaintances. Friends? That was one thing you struggled with. Yancy was probably the only person you talked to nearly every day. He would always check on you, making sure everyone is treating you well and that you're eating enough. You found it very sweet.

You're folding up your small amount of laundry. Mostly just white, cotton t-shirts. Humming to yourself as you put them neatly beneath your bunk. You turn around and jump in surprise. "How long have you been standing there?" "Not long." Yancy is leaning against your cell, arms crossed. "How is youses day goin'?" You step closer to him, he keeps his gaze on you. "It's going fine. What about yours?" He gives you his heart-stopping smile. Your face grows warm. "Goin' lovely." He replies. "So, I'm about to head outside... if..." A few guys from Yancy's gang come walking down the hallway. Yancy stands up straight and turns away from your cell without missing a beat. You pinch your brows with confusion, watching the air about him completely shift. Why does he always act so different when he's alone with you? It's almost as if he's ashamed to be seen talking to you. This makes you frown. The guys pass after having a small talk with Yancy that you didn't bother listening to. You turn back to your bunk, straightening out your sheets and blankets. You step into your shoes. Yancy turns back to you. "Anywho, I was seein' if youses wanted to walk with me." "I think I just want to walk myself. Thanks." You move past him, walking quickly towards the entrance of the yard. Yancy's shoulders fall in defeat. He wondered if it was something he said. His mind spun whilst he walked alone, worried he might have offended you in some way. His heart ached at the thought.

Three days go by and Yancy hasn't come to your cell again. You would occasionally meet eyes in the cafeteria or the yard. He would start walking towards you at times, looking as if he wanted to say something, but you would walk away. You were avoiding him. This ate Yancy up inside, until it was all he thought about. He had to find out why.

You're about to head to your cell for the night. Almost everyone else had already retreated. It was quiet. Before you make to your cell, a hand pulls you back. You turn, pulling your hand to yourself. It was Yancy. His face reminded you of a sad puppy. "What are you-" "I need to know why youses is mad at me." He interrupts and you start to keep walking with a huff. "Y/N, please. It's driving me crazy." Yancy stays in place. You stop, defeatedly turning back around. "Fine." You take a few steps closer. "It's just that... You act like you're ashamed of me... our friendship. When the guys come around, you don't want to be seen with me. I can tell." Your tone starts off angry but ends up sad. "That's... That couldn't be farther from the truth. I would choose youse over those guys any day." "You sure have a funny way of showing it!" You snap, starting to walk away again. This time Yancy follows you. "Y/N, wait! Why are youse so upset over this-" "Because I'm in love with you!" You spill, immediately regretting your words. Yancy looks at a loss for words. "I hate that I am. I wish I wasn't-" You're backtracking until Yancy steps closer to you. He pulls you in and kisses you. Your anger slowly defuses until you kiss back. Yancy holds your face and pulls back. You're almost dizzy from the affection. "Listen to me, I am not ashamed of youse... I'm ashamed of myself. I don't know how to act when I'm with youse. Youse are the kindest and most stunning person I've ever met. If I made you feel otherwise, I am so sorry. I hope youse can forgive me." You stare at him, heart racing. He was never more genuine than in this moment. You just wanted to melt into the floor. He waits for your response with a desperate look. "Yance, I can't stay mad at you." You say defeatedly. "I'll forgive you, if... you kiss me again." With that, Yancy's lips met yours again. He guided you backwards until your back presses against the hallway wall. You've never been so passionately kissed in your life. He kissed you like you were air and he couldn't breathe. Like he needed you. You don't know how much time went by when he eventually pulled back. Your head rests against the wall whilst you catch your breath.