Chapter 175 - Two Gifts (1/2)
Abby was in the middle of creating a new engraving template for some Star Wars based picture books when Al dropped by the printing office. He casually mentioned that they were looking for volunteers to go bring today's rations to the Warrior camp.
Aside from Tahvo and one other male apprentice, everyone else present was female. The boy rolled his eyes. ”I spend more than enough time there already, thanks.”
Tahvo agreed. ”Sorry Alamar, I feel the same. Why don't you take Abby, Janna, and Mitzi? I'm afraid we still need everyone else to keep working.”
Abby was taken aback. Why her? She was in the middle of something! It was true that she had been waiting for an opportunity to see Blaise again but she hadn't wanted to do it where other people could see. She didn't want to let slip how much she had actually missed him in front of any witnesses.
Janna and Mitzi were more enthusiastic about the prospect than she was; particularly Mitzi, who was at the very romantic age of sixteen. Her heart thudded at the thought that she would see him so unexpectedly.
With any luck, everyone else would be so distracted by the food and new people that she would be able to talk to Blaise in peace for a few minutes. Though everything she wanted to say to him definitely couldn't be fit into that short amount of time.
Since a third of the men were currently in training, the women of Ilmir were busier than usual. Each business could only send one or two.
Some were married women who wanted to see how their husbands were doing but most were single girls who were curious about the newcomers. The Pullman sisters were likely the only ones who didn't fall into either category. Katie went because she was the clan leader's wife and Abby did because she didn't know how to say no.
The women chatted happily among themselves as they carried the provisions to the camp but she didn't join in. Her stomach had twisted into knots.
They hadn't spoken a word to each other in nearly a year. How would she even start a conversation with him? Considering how much she had to say, Abby was at a loss for words. It didn't make sense.
She really shouldn't be this nervous. Blaise wasn't the type to tease or make things awkward. Aside from that one misunderstanding when she tried to figure out his sense of humor, they had always been comfortable with each other.
Abby set down her basket of food, consisting of sandwiches from the bakery, and scanned the crowd. About half of the people here were her friends and neighbors while the other half were Warriors.
She thanked her lucky stars that they hadn't come over during the first shift when all the younger boys were there because they would monopolize her the entire time and she wouldn't get the chance to seek Blaise out at all.
Her heart stopped when she spotted him because he smiled widely at her and gestured a greeting from across the mess hall. Abby made her way to him as quickly as she could without looking desperate with a dazzling return smile.
”Hi.”
Inwardly she cringed. That was really the best thing she could say after so many months with no contact?