Capture the flag starts, but is it the only competition going on here? Or the one were both are jealous and plans are made...

CHAPTER 5 – wandering hands and murdering glares

Today was the big day. The camp was buzzing with excitement. Demigods were making last-minute strategy shifts. Bets were placed. Swords were sharpened.

In the midst of all this agitation, Silena was slowly making her way to the creek where Chiron would start the game. The strategy she and her team had come up with was flawless and should easily get them to day two of this little competition.

'Capture the flag is in the bag, and so is Chase's heart' she thought just as she spotted Annabeth standing on her own - her teammates nowhere in sight. The other girl was putting on her breastplate and seemed to be struggling with the strap.

A huge smirk was now plastered across her face. She felt pretty confident, especially after yesterday's successful move on Chase.

Trying to be as discreet as possible, Silena sauntered over to her blonde prey and lightly treaded her fingers through golden hair, enjoying its silkiness before pushing it out of the way. "Need a hand chérie?"

Annabeth flushed bright red and took a step back, "No thanks, just… keep your hands to yourself"

"Hmm but you seemed to be enjoying it so much yesterday, non?"

"No! I never… what are you-"

A horn sounded, saving the girl. Her fun now ruined, the brunette demigod sighed and blew a quick kiss to the still-petrified girl, "Don't do anything I wouldn't do out there, Chase. And don't forget our bet…"

She grabbed a helmet from the table and jogged towards the rest of her team while putting it on.

"Team number five, gather around"

Silena reminded everyone of their position: Chris, Travis and Lucy would be guarding the flag while she would attempt to steal another one with Lee's help.

"And you'd better stay focused on your mission" she pointed at both Travis and Lucy, known for their ability to be easily distracted. "Don't forget to set all the traps. Chris you'll stand guard in a random location not too far from the flag. I will distract the flag guards and Lee will make its move from the trees. Got it?"

Everyone nodded and cheered. "Let's go team five! Till victory do us part!"

'Ugh. I'm so over this and it's not even been thirty minutes yet'. So far she had slipped on a root, been attacked by a huge spider and not seen any flags at all. Zilch. Zero.

"Where's everybody?"

Silena nearly jumped out of her skin as Lee came down from a tree. She relaxed her grip on the sword and pinned him with her best glare. An explosion echoed somewhere nearby.

"I'd say we're getting pretty close to a flag so get up there, Monkey-Lee!" she whisper-shouted as she dived behind a tree. Two voices could be heard coming towards them.

"… for real, Drew! I'm telling you there's something going on between Annabeth and Percy!"

"I'm not denying it. Yes there's chemistry, there's passion… but there's no proof whatsoever"

"That we know of! But if you'd seen how close they were the other day by the creek… Straight out of a rom-com" Will said, nodding his head.

Will Solace and Drew Tanaka. Two of the Camp's biggest gossips. 'Are they onto something…? Is Annabeth really dating that oaf?' Silena twitched, as her heart constricted painfully. 'I'm not jealous. It's for the sake of the bet. How dare-'

Her musings were interrupted as Castor came running behind its two team members, holding a purple flag in his hands. "Hey! Wait for me!"

Silena caught Lee's go ahead sign. She came out of her hiding spot, sporting a huge smirk. None of the others were serious opponents.

"That your flag? Whose idea was it to leave it in such good care?" she taunted them.

Her sister shrugged. "Mine"

"Well, I'm not surprised" Lee was carefully making his way over Castor's head. "Why don't you just give it to me?" she asked innocently, advancing towards them.

Apollo's son readied his sword and shield. "It's one versus three, darling. You won't stand a chance"

"And what's this I hear about Percy and Annabeth?" Silena inquired nonchalantly, tilting her head. "You really think they're dating?"

"Yes! There's ton of evidence. You know the other day, as I was walking…" Castor went on and on, loosening his hold on the flag.

Her ever-growing jealousy was starting to get the best of her.

"Oh, let's get this over with" Silena drew her sword and connected with Castor's head as Lee snatched up the flag and made a run for it. The brunette girl quickly went after him, and two minutes later the horn announced their victory.

"One team down, three to go" Travis shouted, as Drew's team was eliminated.

Just as Silena was about to go on a victory lap, and throw a few taunts at her sister, she noticed Percy and Annabeth caught in a tight hug. 'Fuck fuck fuck, why does it hurt so bad? If she wants do throw herself at every passing guy… why do I care?'

"Hey, Jules?" she called out to one of her siblings. "You're in Jackson's team, right?"

"Yes, why?" He was fixing his hair quite obsessively, "Do I still have leaves stuck in my hair?"

"No, now listen very carefully. How about a deal? You help me out, and I'll get you one of those Kors bags you have been fawning over…"

His eyes were shining. "Go on…"

"Not here. Tonight, six o'clock, my room. Bring cookies, please"

"With great pleasure. Now I'll be off, someone wants to talk to you, sister" he winked at her.

'Not Annabeth' she prayed. 'I can't face her right now'

Two arms encircled her waist. "Hey baby, congratulations on your victory!" Michael whispered, kissing her neck. Silena turned in his arms and caught his lips in a searing kiss. 'Fuck it. If Chase can do it, so can I'

With her back turned to the girl she really wanted in her arms, she missed Annabeth's crestfallen look.