Chapter 7

Jarred's eyes fluttered open. The dawn sun made him have to squint as he sat up stiffly. Man, I need to take a shower. Sand is not something I want to sleep on again. Sleep disappeared from his eyes. Wait a minute. Sand? He looked around him. He was on the shore of the lake, the water threateningly lapping at his feet.

"Good morning sleepy head." A voice said.

"And he awakes!" another voice said, amused.

Jarred shook his head, then looked at where the voices were coming from. "You two were watching me sleep?"

Pascal smirked at him while Stephanie chuckled. They were both sitting in the shade.

"Well it was fun. You were murmuring in your sleep." Pascal said.

"Both of you were actually." Stephanie added, giggling.

Jarred looked to his side and there, curled up against him, was Alice. She was still fast asleep. His face quickly turned a bright red, matching the color of his cabin. "Exactly, what was I saying in my sleep?" He knew people who talked in their sleep would often say secrets or embarrassing things.

"Nothing in particular." Pascal smirked, though he looked a bit annoyed. "Just something about Alice."

"What did I say?"

Pascal just smirked before going over to Alice. Once he was close enough, Jarred could see that there was a light pink coloring on the younger boy's cheeks.

"It's a secret." Pascal whispered mischievously as he carefully picked up Alice.

Jarred stood up. He was stiff and covered in sand and he hated it. "Fine don't tell me." He muttered irritably as he started the trek back.

Stephanie joined them as Pascal carefully moved Alice to his back. As they walked, Jarred could see that Pascal was singing something softly to Alice's ear.

Jealousy gripped him. Pascal did love Alice, but he also loved Stephanie, just like Jarred. He strained his ears so he could hear what Pascal was singing.

"Come stop your crying, it will be all right…Just take my hand, hold it tight…I will protect you from all around you…I will be here don't you cry… For one so small, you seem so strong…My arms will hold you, keep you safe and warm… This bond between us can't be broken….I will be here don't you cry…" Pascal softly sung, a small smile on his face as he looked at Alice. She smiled in her sleep, her arms tightening around Pascal's neck unconsciously.

"'Cause you'll be in my heart…Yes, you'll be in my heart… From this day on, now and forever more…You'll be in my heart no matter what they say…You'll be here in my heart, always…" Pascal continued. "Always…" the last part he whispered as he kissed Alice's temple.

He clenched his fists shoving them into his coat pockets before going ahead of the others and to his cabin. Jarred slammed the door shut, making his cabin mates jump in surprise.

"Jarred, bro. What's wrong?" Jake said from his bed. "And why are you covered in sand?"

"I fell asleep by the lake, and why I'm mad is none of your business." He shot Jake a look, hoping he had made his point clear. He gathered a new pair of clothes and headed to the showers.

He turned on the showers as he stripped himself. Once the water was warm enough, he stepped inside trying to calm himself down as he concentrated on the water hitting his head.

He struggled to get the sand out of his hair but eventually got it out. Note to self, no more falling asleep on beaches...

But wasn't it worth it? A hidden side of him asked.

He shook his head and sighed, turning off the water. He grabbed a towel and dried himself off as he stepped out. Maybe, but that night was kind of fuzzy. More like a dream at the end.

Are you sure? It asked again as he put on his clothes. It might have not been a dream...

As he threw the towel into the hamper, he looked at his own reflection. Putting his hands on the sink he looked into the mirror with narrowed eyes. "Why do you keep convincing me like this? Telling me things that aren't true, yet I believe you." He didn't know why he expected that part of himself to even answer. It was all in his head, it wasn't real.

That part of his mind didn't answer, as he expected. Suddenly, there was a knocking on the door.

"Jarred! Are you done there? Someone's calling for you!" Jake shouted.

He sighed. "Yeah, I'll be out in a second." He said putting on his hoodie and walking out of the bathroom. Jarred looked out of the cabin and standing there, with a bag, was Alice.

Jarred stared at her for a second, slightly confused. But he smiled slightly as he walked out of the cabin. "Hey Alice."

Alice looked up and smiled shyly at him. "Hey uh...I was just wondering if you... wanted to spend some time with me?" she asked.

"I'd like that." He said, smiling at her.

Alice smiled brighter before hoisting up the messenger bag she carried higher on her shoulder. "Thanks." she said. "Let's go back to that tree from yesterday. We could ride Knight."

He nodded and started walking to the stables, Alice right beside him. "Hey Alice, I've heard some campers get to go on quests. What's up with that?"

Alice stared ahead as she answered. "Quests are given to chosen campers who have to retrieve something or to return. If they want or are assigned a quest, they will sometimes be sent to see our Oracle." She said. "The leader picks two people to go with him or her."

"That makes sense." He put his hands in his coat pocket. "Some don't come back though, do they?"

"Yeah."

Jarred just nodded. They stayed silent as they made their way towards the stables. One there, they went inside and immediately went over to Knight.

"Hey boy..." Alice said softly as she walked closer to the dark gray stallion which whinnied. "You up for a ride?"

Jarred followed her over and went inside Knight's stall. He watched as Alice mounted Knight and patted the space in front of her. "Come on, you're front again." she said, smiling.

He chuckled and got up in front. "Let's go buddy." He patted Knight's neck.

Alice wrapped her arms around Jarred's waist and pressed against him. Knight whinnied before bounding out the stables and taking flight.

Jarred smiled slightly as they flew. "Real smooth landing 'kay Knight?"

Knight snorted in response. The two flew over the cabins as they went to their destination.

After a few minutes, Jarred felt Alice press her face against his back as she sighed softly.

He sighed quietly. This day can't get any better.

Soon, Knight whinnied then glided down to the area they found yesterday. He snorted and stomped his foot once they arrived. Jarred hoped off, and helped Alice down.

As Alice was dismounting, Knight suddenly bucked and threw Alice into Jarred's arms, their face inches from each other. Behind them, Knight whinnied loudly as if laughing.

Jarred's cheeks flushed as he held her in his arms while Alice blushed a deep red and gulped as she stared at Jarred's face.

They stared at each other before he gently leaned closer to her, closing the space between their lips.

Jarred felt Alice freeze in shock. Disappointment and fear wash over him but as he was about to pull away, Alice was kissing him back.

Nope, I take that back...Now this day is better.