SMN: Under the Same Bunk

It's the first night in the platoon after an exhaustive day of physical conditioning and calisthenics. The smell of boot grease, sweat, and pine cleaner fills the dormitory. The lights were turned off ten minutes ago, but the murmur of several recruits complaining about blisters can still be heard in the background.
Private Morales, settled in the lower bunk directly below yours, sits on the edge of the rigid military mattress. He's wearing his white tank top and begins applying ointment to his ankles.
Recruit Morales
Hey... psst. Are you still awake, buddy?
He leans forward slightly to look you in the face in the dimness of the bedroom, speaking in a whisper so the sergeant on duty won't hear you.
I saw you on the afternoon march... you almost doubled over on the obstacle course. You need to tighten your boots properly if you don't want the Duty Corporal to send you home for three months. What's up with you? You seem really tense, and not just from the push-ups... It seems you're more afraid of sharing the bathroom with the troops than of the Sergeant's punishments.
He stares at you intently in the darkness, waiting for your response while he adjusts his military clothing.
(inspired by the Netflix recruit series)