Behind the Shadows

Jake got the latest news going on in camp summed up in less than five minutes. All Sapphire needed to say was that all the campers had become brainless sheep and that Chiron had disappeared in a puff of smoke. After that Sapphire had dragged Jake to her cabin where no one could eavesdrop on their conversation. Jake already hated Cayden. Every time his name was said Jake would curl his lip as though the the name was deadly poison. He was still a bit weak and dazed from being out of it for two weeks, but he listened with no problem. Sapphire told him her plan to look into Chirons disappearance and she told him that they needed to keep it quiet because she had a bad feeling about Cayden. Jake agreed and then he dropped to the floor asleep. Sapphire worried that he would not wake up again but he did. Eventually.
"Truth or dare" Jake chirps from beside her as they walk towards the strawberry fields. Sapphire huffs but goes along with it. Campers scurry away when they see the pair of them strolling along that pathway.
"Dare" She grumbles and watches the other campers in the distance wander about looking lost. Jake is silent for a moment.
"I dare you to declare your undying love to Clarisse" Jake says sounding chuffed with himself. Sapphire stops dead and glares at Jake. He knew full well that she never chickens out of a dare. It didn't help that as soon as Jake says it Sapphire catches sight of Clarisse who is currently standing outside the armory and is unfortunately talking to Cayden. Sapphire lets out a long breath before she storms towards Clarisse. Jake stroll behind with a look of delight on his face. Clarisse notices Sapphire approach and gives her a smirk and elbows Cayden. He follows her gaze and give Sapphire a blank expression. Sapphire stops in front of them and smiles sweetly. Causing Clarisse to look at her with wary eyes.
"I know this is sudden" Sapphire mutters and tries to look Clarisse dead in the eye, but fails and looks at the wall behind her instead. "But I.." Sapphire's voice catches and Jake chokes from holding back his laughter. Clarisse frowns and looks like she is ready to decapitate Sapphire. At this point in time a good old decapitation wouldn't be so bad if it meant Sapphire could avoid this situation.
"Spit it out, freak" Clarisse spits. Sapphire plays on that and decides to keep to the dare.
"Oh I love it when you call me that!" Sapphire claps her hands together and winks at Clarisse. Cayden has not said a thing and he just stays standing next to Clarisse, completely oblivious to the conversation. "I know it's only been a short amount of time, but I know something is there" Clarisse looks very lost but her hand wanders to her sword like she thinks Sapphire is up to something. "And Jake is just not doing it for me anymore so I'm here to say that, Clarisse I love you so so much!"
Sapphire finishes her embarrassing speech and takes a step back and waits for a reaction. A whole minute goes by and all that has happened is Clarisse's frown has deepened. All the lines on her forehead are fully visible now and they almost make a weird u shape. Jake is also making weird noises and Sapphire can't tell if he is trying to control his laughter or is he is dying. Cayden even looks rather confused. Sapphire bites her lip to try and stop herself from falling over laughing.
"Is this a joke?" Clarisse finally speaks up. Sapphire can't form any kind of response and instead shakes her head to tell her no. "What is you game?""N- nothing I- I really do love you, babycakes!" Sapphire splutters. Something crashes to the ground and Sapphire notices that Jake has fallen over and is rolling about silently laughing. Clarisse growls and stomps forward towards Sapphire in a state of rage. Sapphire gulps and springs into action. She spins round and runs to Jake, grabs his arm and desperately pulls him to his feet.
"Abort mission!" Sapphire screams and she drags Jake forward and they both run towards the Strawberry fields. Jake is slow at running due to his uncontrolled laughter. Sapphire saw nothing funny about this situation. They had an angry Clarisse chasing after them who currently looks like she could kill Sapphire.
"I'm using you as a shield for this" Sapphire grumbles and stumbles into the strawberry fields. "I suggest we crawl so she can't see us" Then both get the there knees and make themselves hidden beneath the Strawberry bushes. Clarisse screams in rage in the distance and Jake chuckles to himself. They both crawl around for a while until it looks like Clarisse has given up. Clarisse never give up though. It was most likely that she was waiting until dinner time to get them. For now they would be safe.
Sapphire sits up and finally lets out here withheld laughter. Tears stream down her face and her chest hurts from the uncontrollable laughing. Jake joins in and Sapphire swats his hand trying to tell him to stop. Neither of them stop and they both fall on their backs. The afternoon sun is high in the sky, shining brightly on their faces. The scent of strawberries fills the air and it makes Sapphire hungry.
"Truth or dare" Sapphire croaks. Jake scrubs his hands on his face which leaves splotches of mud.
"Truth" Jake chimes. Sapphire growls and elbows him for taking the safe option.
"Who do think is the most awesome person at camp?" A light breeze flutters past them and Jake looks deep in thought as he looks up at the bright blue sky.
"I can't say myself?". Sapphire laughs and hits his shoulder. "Ouch! Sapphire Willow you are such a violent person"
"Don't be so vain then, Mr big ego"
"I would have to say Clarisse" Jake keeps his face straight. It's hard to tell if he is being serious or not.
"Your an idiot!" Sapphire grumbles and lifts her hand to pick the big strawberry looming above her head. She plops it in to her mouth. "If you are not going to answer seriously then I'm going to have to ask embarrassing questions". Jake sits up and stare down at Sapphire.
"Fine ask them"
"How many girls have you kissed?" Sapphire picks more strawberries and sits up to join Jake.
"That's not very embarrassing!" Jake grumbles and steals a strawberry out of Sapphire's hand. "four"
"Are they campers?" Sapphire grows curious. Jake smirks.
"Truth or dare" Sapphire huffs and gives Jake a glare.
"That's not fair! I just want to know". Jake shrugs but does not reply. "Truth"
How many boys have you kissed?" Ah! looks like the curiousness went both ways.
"Two" Sapphire attempts to say through a mouth full of strawberries.
"Who?"
"Truth or dare?"Jake groans and falls back on the the ground in defeat. Sapphire laughs and joins him.
"It was some of the Aphrodette girls and they wanted to give me a lesson on kissing. It was a while ago" Jake mutters next to her.
"Mine was a boy from one of the schools I went to and the other was Luke when I was fourteen". Jake sits up and frowns.
"Luke?" Sapphire nods. "Why him?"
"It was a dare that's all" Sapphire cuts the conversation by standing up and brushing the dirt off her jeans. Jake stays sitting and keeps his gaze on the ground. "I'm heading to my cabin to change"
Jake does not reply and Sapphire shrugs and walks through the strawberry field. Jake could be weird sometimes and Sapphire had learnt that it was best to leave him to himself. It's getting close to dinner time and Sapphire worries at the thoughts of what Clarisse might do.

Notes