[Day 3] Lunchtime with the Crew

You walk into the dining hall with Samantha by your side.

Most of the crew is already there, greeting you with warm smiles and nods. As the rest of the team trickles in, Isabella begins handing out the lunches. Today's meal is Shakshuka, a colorful and aromatic dish you're not sure you've ever encountered before.

As everyone starts eating, the room fills with the sounds of cheerful chitchat and clinking cutlery.

During the meal, you turn to Maria. "Hey, Maria, Samantha and I were talking about the other units earlier. Your sister, Sara, came up. How close were you two?"

Maria's face lights up with a warm smile as she thinks about her sister. "Sara and I became sisters when we were ten," she begins, her voice filled with nostalgia. "Growing up, I was always the shy one, and Sara was the outgoing one. We were two different sides of a coin but we became best friends."

You chuckle, easily picturing Maria as a shy kid. "That sounds like a cute dynamic," you comment.

Maria smiles bashfully. "Yeah, she was always dragging me into things and we did everything together. Sara helped me make friends at school, and she always stood up for me. I used to get bullied for being too smart, and Sara never hesitated to step in and protect me."

Her eyes glisten with tears as she continues, "I owe Sara so much. I miss her."

"I miss her too," Isabella adds, sniffling softly.

Destiny chimes in, "The entire crew met her. She used to come by and talk to Maria and Isabella all the time. You could tell how much she truly cared for them and how close they were."

The rest of the crew nods in agreement.

"She seemed like a genuine soul," Camille adds.

"She was really easy to get along with," Samantha says warmly.

Maria looks at you with a gentle smile. "Would you like to see a picture of her?" she asks.

You nod, "I'd love to."

Maria reaches into her wallet and shows you a picture of Sara.

“Wow, she's stunning,” you say, shaking your head in awe. Then, with a mischievous grin, you ask, “Any chance you have any... um, racier photos of her?”

Maria blushes deeply and playfully punches your shoulder as the room erupts in laughter.

“We’re not good enough for you?” Aneni chimes in, raising an eyebrow.

“Of course you guys are!” you say, feigning indignation. “But if I could add a ninth member to the group, Sara would definitely be the one.”

Everyone laughs again, the warm camaraderie filling the dining hall with an infectious energy.

Destiny's expression turns determined. “I honestly believe our unit is the best in the whole project. I want to prove everyone who didn’t believe in us wrong.”

You chuckle, and start stretching. “Well, I guess I’ve got to do my part then.”

Everyone laughs again, the sound echoing around the room. You even catch a rare smirk from Kira and a genuine smile from Destiny.

Lunch winds down, the room still buzzing with the warmth of shared laughter and camaraderie.