Survival

Chapter 36 First

Mischa waited at the table with Quinton by her side. Hunger and anxiety battled it out in her stomach like sumo wrestlers which caused Quinton to laugh. He patted her on the shoulder gently while biting his lip to fight the blossoming smile.

"I don't want to hear it. Scrap whatever sarcastic remark you have jumping around in that big head of yours."

"Are you actually nervous?" Quinton asked.

"No, I'm just a little distracted, since we found, you know." And maybe a little shaken up since their little moment, but she wouldn't dare clue him in to that nuance.

"Oh," Quinton said with a brief nod. He laced his hands together on the table as his eyes scanned the rest of the room.

Mischa's eyes dropped to the floor. She knew he'd rather be elsewhere, and she had dragged him into her family issues right after shutting down his feelings. His continued presence only confirmed how much of a patient and caring person he was. It didn't matter though, she had to keep telling herself; she'd be out of here in no time and join back up with Vita and Gunnar. She wouldn't turn away his help, but she certainly didn't expect him to risk everything and leave these safe walls.

"Sorry, we've been running late at the lab with a spike in security camera installations. Have to work out all the kinks in the little buggers first," Mischa's father said as he sat down opposite them.

"That's fine, Dad." He was only apologizing since Quinton had joined them. Late work days ran pretty standard in the Hues' household and didn't usually come with an acknowledgement of fault. "Dad, this is Quinton. Quinton this is my Dad, Nate."

Quinton offered Nate his hand and they both nodded in sync.

The teen flashed a charming smile. "Mr. Hues, nice to see you again."

"You already know him?" Mischa turned to her father with her eyebrows knitted together. Why had he acted like such a crazy person the other night?

"Of course I do, Mischa, the colony is small enough. He's been here longer than you have and there's enough overlap between the departments," Nate replied and lifted a spoonful of peas.

"I didn't realize Mischa was your daughter."

"Yes, she seems to be rather fond of you at this point considering the nights she's spent away from our home at your residence."

"Dad!"

Quinton choked on his water. His eyes quickly darted to Mischa and narrowed. She tried to offer a reassuring smile, but it probably turned out grim. She had failed to mention just how much her father knew about the two of them. Too late now.

"Dad," Mischa hissed in a low tone, "you are supposed to be getting to know Quinton, not accusing him of things he hasn't done."

"Mischa and I are just friends," his flat tone brought tightness to Mischa's chest. Why did he need to sound so dismal? She had been very clear about it from the start. Granted, he had clearly not understood based on his earlier attempt to kiss her; regardless, she shouldn't be cast the villain here.

"And how long do you expect this friendship to continue?" Nate asked with a fixed gaze on Quinton.

"As long as Mischa will have me." Quinton wouldn't look at her and she frowned at his impersonal nature.

Nate set down his spoon and dabbed his lips with a paper napkin. Despite Quinton's height, Nate's erect posture made the boy's shoulders slump. "Let me make this clear for both of you. My daughter spends nights in her own apartment, regardless of how friendly the two of you are. Understood?"