Chapter 9

Pascal's face was frozen in shock as he looked between the two. Alice's face was bright red as she looked down at her feet, slightly hiding behind Jarred. He tightened his grip around her a bit, looking at Pascal for any sign that he was going to do something he would regret.

Pascal's shocked face changed into an emotionless mask. "Alice...can I talk to you please?" He said in an emotionless voice, staring hard at Jarred.

Jarred whispered in Alice's ear. "Just be careful okay? He may not be taking this well." He gave her a thoughtful yet concerned look as he let go of her.

"He won't hurt me..." Alice whispered as she slowly went to Pascal. Pascal stared at Jarred for a minute before leading her away, just out of earshot.

Jarred sighed and sat under the tree waiting for Alice to come back. He was worried though, and climbed up the tree to where he could hear them talk yet stay out of their eye sight.

"That fast huh." He heard Pascal say.

"Yeah…"

Pascal stayed silent before speaking up. "Are you sure about him?"

"Yes…You already know how I felt about Jarred, Pascal."

"Yes I do…Look Alice…I just don't want you to get hurt. You're my little sister. And I just want you to be happy."

"I know…"

"Just be careful okay? You know how over protective I can be."

"Yeah, I know…I promise."

"You'll always be my little sister…You'll always be in my heart." Pascal said. Jarred saw him wrap his arms around Alice.

"Always." Alice replied, as she hugged him back. Pascal kissed her head before letting her go, smiling.

"I'll always be here for you Alice. Be happy okay?" He said as he walked away.

"You know I am for you too." Alice told him. "Good luck with Stephanie Pascal."

Jarred saw Pascal nod as he waved. Alice smiled slightly as she walked back to the tree. She sat down and sighed. "I know you were listening."

When he was sure Pascal was gone, Jarred got to a low branch where he jumped to the ground. "I always thought he had a crush on you to be honest." He said looking at the direction the younger boy had gone.

"Yeah me too." Alice said. "But that was years ago."

"I just figured from the way he acted. Plus, when I first met him and he gave you the flowers. When you left he said, and I quote, "Isn't she amazing?" "

Alice chuckled as she ran her hand through her hair. "He's always done that. He my idiot of a best friend remember? He does that as a kind of test I think."

"Really? Wow, he must really want to make sure you pick the right guy huh?" He laughed.

Alice laughed. "Yeah, I know."

Jarred put his arm around her. "I won't hurt you, I promise."

Alice smiled softly up at him. "Yeah…"

"Come on, let's get Knight back to the stables, it's almost time for lunch."

"Alright. After this." Alice said before kissing him gently on the lips as she closed her eyes.

He smiled slightly kissing her back. He could feel Alice smile against his lips as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

Jarred pulled her close to him, he was happy, there with her and didn't want it to ever end. But happiness never lasts long for you, does it? He was really beginning to hate that part of his mind.

Jarred was sitting at his cabin's table, talking to his brothers and sisters happily. They talked about Capture the Flag and their classes as they ate.

"Yo Jarred. How was your little...um...escapade with a certain daughter of Apollo?" One of his siblings asked, smirking.

His face flushed slightly as he glared at his sibling. "That's none of your business."

His siblings laughed loudly, causing the other campers to turn to their table.

"Come on Jarred. Tell us!" Jake laughed.

Jarred didn't answer, in fact he completely ignored them and continued to eat. He wasn't going to have this conversation now, especially when all the other campers were staring.

"Aww he's ignoring us." One of his siblings said in a fake hurt tone.

"Maybe we should ask the Apollo Cabin." Another said in a mischievous tone.

Jarred froze for a small second, and then continued ignoring them. His sibling laughed and clapped Jarred on the back.

"Still won't talk huh?" One of them said then turned to the Apollo table. "Hey! Apollo kids!" He shouted. The whole Apollo table turned to look questioningly at the Ares table.

"Gods no..." He groaned. "You guys just live for this don't you...?"

"Yes." They all said, smirking, before turning towards the Apollo table.

"Do you know something about our brother here?" Jake said, shaking Jarred's shoulder.

Jarred sighed. "Jake, you do know what I'm going to do to you after this right?"

"Of course!" Jake said, smiling at his flustered brother.

Turning back to the Apollo table, the Ares table saw that they look confused except for one. Jarred saw Alice staring at her food, her cheeks slightly pink. Jarred sighed, his siblings apparently didn't know the term of 'privacy'.

The Ares table laughed. "So there she is!" one of them said, clapping Jarred on the shoulder. "Nice one bro." he said.

Alice blushed harder as her siblings began teasing her too. The other campers were snickering at them.

He shot Jake a look that said I'm-going-to-knock-you-into-next-week.

Jake just laughed and clapped Jarred on the shoulder.

"You guys think you're so funny but you really aren't." He said bitterly continuing to eat

"Oh come on Jarred. Lighten up." Jake said. The Mess hall was slowly emptying of campers as they went towards their camp activities. Jarred saw Alice leave with her siblings, rubbing her neck and her cheeks slightly red from embarrassment

Jarred just sighed as he got up following some of the other campers. He had Arts and Crafts next and didn't want to be late like last time.

He had just sat down with his siblings when the Apollo cabin arrived. Jarred mentally groaned. How could I forget? Our cabin has Archery and Arts and Crafts with the Apollo kids.

He watched as the Apollo kids took their seats. He spotted Alice with two of her sisters.

A couple of his siblings snickered beside him. One of them elbowed Jarred lightly then nodded towards Alice. Jarred looked up and saw that Alice's two sisters were whispering in her ear while occasionally throwing glances at him. Jarred's cheeks turned pink and he looked down at his feet. Things never stay a secret in this camp...

Jarred saw a few of his and Alice's siblings look amused at the two of them. Just then, a senior camper came in and gave them their task, oblivious the mood of the room.