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Luckily, he seemed to get the hint and lose interest.
They all began eating, with Josh and Carter occasionally mentioning different things going on in the settlement.
From what she was hearing, it sounded like there had been some friction between their group and the people already living in the settlement, some disagreements on how things should be handled, especially regarding the raiders.
As they ate and she listened to them talk, more people began filtering into the dining hall, and within minutes, it was completely packed.
She took a few small bites but mainly sipped on her coffee. She should’ve been hungrier, but all the stress of the day's events had taken away her appetite.
“So they let you out on bail?” a slightly familiar voice called out behind her.
She looked up to see the girl from the house they'd kept her in, the one who had brought her dinner the night before.
The girl studied her with an amused smile.
“For now,” Saff grumbled.
The girl dropped down into the chair directly next to her. And out of the corner of her eye, she caught Josh straightening up slightly.
“Hey, Nadia,” he said with a wide grin.
She smiled back at him briefly, then turned back to her.
“I'm Nadia, by the way,” she said, extending her hand.
Saff took it, shaking it lightly. “Saff."
Nadia held onto her hand for what seemed like a moment or two longer than what was expected. Or maybe she really had just forgotten what a handshake was supposed to feel like. It was a strong possibility.
Finally, Nadia slowly released her hand. Then she immediately reached it forward, taking the bread from Saff’s plate. She lifted it to her mouth and took a small bite.
Saff could feel all the eyes around the table watching them.
She stared at Nadia, although for some reason, she wasn't entirely surprised. The whole interaction seemed to perfectly fit her personality. Or at least, the small parts Saff had seen up until then.
“What?” Nadia asked with a smirk. “It's not like we haven't shared food already.”
Saff stared at her for another brief moment. Technically, it was the truth. But she still wasn’t sure how to respond to it.
Suddenly, Maddie cleared her throat loudly.
Saff looked up, immediately catching the unreadable expression on her face.
“Sorry,” Josh blurted. “Maddie, this is Nadia. She was at the settlement already when we arrived.” Then he looked at Nadia, grinning. “Nadia, this is my sister, Maddie.”
“Nice to meet you,” Nadia said with a polite smile.
“You too,” Maddie replied, although her own smile seemed slightly less polite.
Saff caught the puzzled look Erin gave Maddie, and she wondered if she’d noticed the same thing.
Nadia reached forward and picked up the bread again, taking another bite before placing it back down.
Saff didn't really mind. She wasn't sure she would be able to eat it, anyway. Something about the events of the morning and seeing Sarah had left her stomach feeling unsettled.
“So why’d my mom have you up so early this morning?” Nadia asked.
Saff looked at her, eyes narrowing. “Yourmom?” she repeated slowly.