you couldn't tell how long you'd been out there, in the cold. without anyone to check on you.

but, that might've been because both travis and nat had went out to hunt right before the big fight you had with shauna.

and to be honest, you're kind of grateful that nat wasn't there — you wouldn't want her to see that for herself, especially since nat would probably not stand for how they treated you, and she's already been not getting along with some of the others as it is.

although, it would've been nice if you had at least one person to tell you to stay and not go out into the unpredictable nature and weather of the wilderness.

you were stubborn, though, and having everyone, including shauna, who you'd thought would never hurt you like she did — using everything you were ever insecure about against you in said argument — made you even more stubborn, refusing to go inside.

but, eventually, towards the late evening, when it's gotten colder, you didn't have a choice but to go back inside, body temperature lower than ever.

it didn't help that it snowed — just a little, but enough to affect you once more.

you came inside and didn't say a word to anyone, despite all the stares on you, most all surprised that you came back inside.

but, you didn't have anything to say to any of them.

at least, besides travis, nat, and coach ben, seeing as they hadn't treated you like the others had.

you'd collapsed on the floor, right in front of the fire, pointedly ignoring nat's concerned look.

there's a split look of annoyance and anger in her eyes — not directed at you, though, nope, it's directed at the others — but, you don't see it, too humuliated and broken down and absolutely shuddering with chills to notice.

and maybe you avoid her gaze in the first place because you don't want her to see you like that.

although, you finally realize you've got someone in your corner when you hear footsteps and nearly jump out of your skin when you feel a light hand on your shoulder, and it's no other than nat with that gentle and caring look that's only ever been directed at you.

not joking around, she carefully helps you up, despite all of your shivering, giving you another gentle look, not hesitating to take care of you. "c'mon, let's get you cleaned up."

while everyone drops their eyes off of your form, giving you a break from what could either be judgement or guilt and regret for treating you so horribly — probably because nat had no problem tearing into them when she found out what happened while she and travis were out hunting for dinner.

you have no choice but to follow her, leaning into her for balance as she leads you to the other room, where there's the tub, already filled up with hot water, almost like she was already minutes from coming out to get you, despite all your stubbornness, and take care of you herself.

at least, there's some privacy.

it's a good thing that it's nat that's helping you because you wouldn't trust the others enough to let anyone else strip you out of your clothes and rid you of the cold blanket.

but, you let nat.

even when you're humuliated and shivering and feeling everything all at once, feeling so broken over the treatment you unfairly got.

once you're stripped of everything, she helps you into the tub, giving you a reassuring smile, knowing exactly what to say. "you're gonna be okay, alright? we just need to get you warm."