"She doesn't care" A CHB fanfiction

realisation

Alli's POV

I found Jaiden teaching some kids sword fighting when I woke up, looking for him. He grinned and waved me over. I gave him a tired wave, like 'Okay, Okay, I'm coming."

He adjusted a little girl's grip and then walked over to me, I had gone and sat on a rock. Jaiden picked up a mug from next to me, on the rock and handed it to me. "Here's your coffee, this is about the time you wake up, so its still warm.

"Thanks", I rubbed my eyes, then took the mug so he could continue teaching. I saw this little girl, I had never even seen her talk, she was really shy, but Jaiden was so patient with her, it was cute.

Wait...huh?

I was puzzled, I dismissed the thought but every time I saw him being so careful and patient with the kids, my heart melted. My first thought was that I had feelings for him, that maybe, in so many years, along the way, my feelings changed. Instead of setting that thought aside like I usually do, I pondered on it for a bit. Partly because I had nothing else to do, partly because I needed to face it.

But this was crazy! I never noticed anything about him. I never noticed how he was always so kind and patient, but if people messed with him, they'd get a glimpse of hell. I never noticed how hot he looked when his jaw clenched while he was angry and yelling at me for playing around with too many guys. I never noticed how he played keytar and rapped so passionately. I never noticed how his eyes lit up when he was excited and how they darkened when he was angry. I never noticed how he'd only roll up one sleeve of his shirt. I never noticed how after one minute of his eyes staring into mine made me need to sink into a chair. 

Well, on second thoughts, yeah, maybe I did like him.

Hold up, was that part of the reason I messed around with guys so much? Never mind, one problem at a time.

I'd flirted with so many bad guys, it wouldn't hurt to try dating one good one, right?

But what about Hali? he was super close with her, I had even encouraged him to date her, What was I thinking?!

I was also nervous about something else, I lose my cool when I have a crush, I get so awkward and jump-y. I even stutter! I'm a generally confident person, I watch a lot of fashion shows so I even walk like a model. I don't get nervous. I don't stammer. I don't get flustered. I can't let him know. But it would be hard, I remember how nervous I got when I started crushing on my first boyfriend, Cassian.

Jaiden's voice snapped me out of my thoughts. "Alli, we've got archery practice in a bit, you might wanna go shower up. "

"Er, oh, yeah, okay...see ya", I muttered. I turned around to walk back to my cabin but looked over my shoulder and found Jaiden animatedly talking with Hali. I felt both, my heart sink and my blood boil. On one hand, ugh, I really liked him, maybe even loved him. On the other, I didn't own him, if he was happy...

I swallowed the lump in my throat and decided something. I decided that only until I was told by Jaiden himself that he and Hali were together, I'd give up on him then. 

I really hoped it wouldn't show when I got jealous. I don't like it. I look stupid for caring too much, when maybe I don't mean as much to the person as they do to me.

I didn't get to go to archery practice because the monsters attacked, again. I groaned and ran to the border.

I had zero patience that day, so I just ran around shooting monsters and I built a magical border around myself near Thalia's tree so I could cast the spell in peace. I still had a lot to do, but at least I was making progress.

I had been tossing and turning all night, so after I cast the spell, I immediately crumpled to the ground and everything went black.

After what seemed like several bleak days, I woke up with my head pounding and arms wrapped around me. I panicked and looked up. 

Lots of scars, curly hair and a light smile, showing off his dimples. It was Jaiden. Hopefully Will had a good explanation or I was really going to put his archery teachings to good use.

I was so startled that I squeaked and rolled over, but his arms were still wrapped tightly around me, so we fell, on the floor, and he woke up. 

I felt myself go red all the way to my neck. His cheeks were only a little tinted, he raised an eyebrow and whispered, "Though I usually don't end up in this position, I usually prefer being on top, plus, you're heavy, can you get off?"

I was so glad that he said that quietly, because a few of the Apollo kids had rushed over to help us.

I got on my feet and turned around to find Will, feigning a look of concern while trying (and failing) to look innocent. "What. did. you. just. do", I growled. 

"Okay, dude, before you kill me, I have a very good explanation for this. There were too many beds, the attack was quite big today, but you and Jaiden only passed out, so since it was a minor issue by comparison, we decided you could share, its not our fault the guy is a cuddler in bed.", he said, backing away.

I crossed my arms and glared at him. He just gave a me a sheepish grin and scratched the nape of his neck then scurried off nervously.

I stalked off to find Faye, she was the only person who could help. I found her sitting in her cabin, looking at the pictures around her bed. 

"Ooh, Alli, I gotta tell you something.", she said, spotting me and getting off the bed. "Okay, what is it?", I asked, curiously.

"Some more wedding planning came  up, so Xander is gonna be here later than planned. By the way, when was the last time you spoke to Cass?"

"Oh, he's had exams, so I haven't been able to talk with him much. Jaiden hasn't spoke to him either, I've been driving him crazy asking about the date his exams get over. We've missed him a lot, but why do you ask?"

"No reason, His exams are getting over in 4 days, actually.", she said.

"Okay, anyway, I need help.", I changed the subject.

"With...?", Faye asked, quirking an eyebrow.

"A boy"

"Ooh, easy. Who?"

I flopped down on her bed after making sure that no one was listening. "Jaiden.", I mumbled into her pillow.

"I'm sorry, Alli, I don't speak muffled.", she joked.

I groaned and turned over, "Jaiden.", I muttered, a bit louder this time.

Faye stared at me and then blinked for a second. "Wait, Jaiden? as in, our Jaiden?"

I scowled, "Yep, and I'm not happy about it. Why him? of all people?"

"I never noticed him like that before.", I mumbled, sitting up and looking down at my hands. They conducted so much power, but they were helpless when it came to the eyes of Jaiden Carter.

"Well, then, that's exactly the reason you fell for him then, one day, it became like the turn of a kaleidoscope, you saw him differently, you're lucky that you're not too late. It could be worse, you could realise this on his wedding day.", Faye explained, putting her arm around me.

"What if I am too late though, Faye? He looks happy with Hali, I don't...I don't know what to do. For the first time in my life, when it comes to a guy, I'm stumped.", I said, falling backwards onto the bed again. 

Faye pulled me up and made me sit up straight again, then proceeded to grab a hold of my shoulders then vigorously shake me. "Get a hold of yourself, you're gonna take a nice bubble bath, turn on a badass playlist on some invisible speakers, wear one of the awesome outfits I got you, get your makeup done by me and you're gonna get your cool back, you're Alli Garcia, act like her." 

I nodded. She was right, I'd just have to fake the confidence in front of him, till it wouldn't feel fake anymore.

If he really did like Hali, then I wouldn't be able to get over it right away, but I would try.