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Maddie shrugged, running her fingers lightly through her hair. “I wouldn't say close, exactly. But we've known each other for a long time. Him and my brother have been best friends since they were kids.”
Saff hummed. “They're lucky they were able to stick together after everything.”
“Yeah, well, his family lived in the same neighborhood as us. That's how they met. We were all neighbors.” Maddie moved her hand back out onto her shoulders, as the memory of his parents entered her mind. “When the raiders attacked the first time,” she continued, “his parents didn't make it.”
Saff was quiet for a few moments. “I'm sorry to hear that.”
Maddie nodded slowly, trying to force the memories of that day and night from her mind. “I was one of the lucky ones,” she said. “I didn't lose any family when it happened.”
“That is lucky,” Saff said softly.
Maddie pressed her thumb deeply into one of the tight muscles. Another yawn worked its way out of her mouth.
She closed her eyes, letting her head lean forward. Now she was close enough that she could almost smell the faint scent of coffee coming off of Saff. It reminded her of their mornings together in the bunker. It also reminded her that they were over. They would likely never have a morning like that again.
Maddie trailed her hand back up into her hair, scraping her nails against her scalp again. She felt Saff relax back into her touch, her shoulder blades grazing against her chest in a way that felt far more intimate.
She drew in a slow, steadying breath.
Again, she thought about the night before. She told herself to let it go. That it was something from Saff that she wouldn't understand. But now, with Saff laying beside her, and largely in the same situation they were the previous night, she couldn't help but wonder.
“Did I—did I do something wrong last night?” Maddie whispered.
Saff was quiet for a few moments. “Why are you asking that?”
Maddie swallowed, moving her hand back down onto Saff’s shoulders. “I don't know,” she replied. “Something seemed different this morning.Youseemed different.”
Again, Saff was silent. But this time, Maddie waited for her answer.
“No. You didn't do anything wrong.”
Maddie exhaled a small sigh of relief. She trusted Saff to tell her the truth.
But if it wasn't that, then what was it? She knew she hadn't imagined it. Something had been different that morning. Something had shifted between them. And for some reason, it seemed to have had a negative impact on Saff.
She didn't want to push her, though. She knew Saff wouldn't tell her something if she didn't want to, and she had a feeling this was one of those things.
She stifled another yawn, feeling the tired fog taking over once again.
And Saff must have felt her slow down, because a moment later, she shifted and pulling slightly away. Then she felt her roll onto her back. Maddie moved her hand, but left it resting on her shoulder.
“You ready to sleep now?” Saff asked.
Maddie hummed. “Yeah, but I think it's just because you're laying here with me. It makes it feel a little more normal. I can forget that I'm sleeping out in the open in the woods.”
Saff shifted her body, but didn't sit up or move away. Maddie kept her hand on her, feeling her chest rise and fall with every breath.
“Can you stay here?” Maddie whispered. “Just until I fall asleep?”
She felt Saff moving again and turning her body. Then she realized she was turning toward her, not away.
Her hand fell from her shoulder down to her bicep.
“Yeah,” Saff whispered back.
Maddie felt the slight burn in her chest again, but this time, she didn't have the energy to push it away. A small smile passed over her lips.
“Thanks.”
