As we made our way to the cafeteria, the air was buzzing with chatter about the morning's events, and everyone's adrenaline still seemed to be running high.
Ciara fell into step beside us, her familiar, ever-watchful gaze turned directly on Zaya. I could tell Zaya was on edge, but she did her best to keep her cool as we walked.
"Hey, baby sister," Ciara said in that casual, smug tone of hers, nudging Zaya's shoulder a little too hard.
"That was quite the little performance you put on back there. Who knew you had it in you to last so long?"
Zaya rolled her eyes but grinned, probably trying to act unbothered by Ciara's usual antagonism.
"Thanks, Ciara. Always nice to know you're keeping track of my successes," Zaya replied with a bit of forced patience, her sarcasm so well delivered it made me smile.
"Oh, please," Ciara shot back, laughing as she looked around.
