Tangled in Thorns | A Luke Castellan Story

Chapter 9 - Confusions

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Luke's POV:

"Hey, Lianne," I called out, trying to sound casual even though my nerves were on edge. "Got a minute?"

Lianne looked up from her work, her bright eyes curious. "Sure, what's up?"

I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "I was wondering if you might be willing to switch cleaning duties with me this week."

Lianne's brow furrowed slightly. "Switch cleaning duties? But you're on the dishwashing crew, and I'm supposed to handle the mess hall. Why the sudden change?"

I glanced down the path toward the campfire area where Rosalynne was chatting with a group of friends. "Well, it's just that... I've been thinking I'd like to be in the mess hall tomorrow. You know, where Rosalynne is. I thought maybe if I were nearby, I could—"

Lianne's eyes lit up with understanding. "So, this is about Rosalynne, huh?"

My cheeks flushed a deep red. "Yeah, it is. I've heard she spends a lot of time around the campfire, and I thought if I were in the mess hall, I might get a chance to bump into her more often. Plus, it's not like the dishwashing crew is any more exciting."

Lianne's lips curled into a knowing smile. "You're not the first person to use camp chores as a way to get closer to someone. But why the mess hall? It's not exactly the most glamorous spot."

I shrugged, trying to play it cool. "Well, I figure if I'm around, I might get a chance to talk to her or something. It's better than just staring at dirty dishes all day."

Lianne laughed softly, shaking her head. "Alright, alright. I'll switch with you. I'll take over the dishwashing duties, and you can handle the mess hall."

My face lit up with relief and gratitude. "Really? Thanks, Lianne! I owe you big time."

"Just make sure you don't leave a mess in the mess hall," she teased. "And good luck with Rosalynne. I hope you get a chance to talk to her."

With a grateful nod, I headed towards the mess hall, my excitement renewed. The thought of being closer to Rosalynne made the task seem a lot more appealing.

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Rosalynne's POV:

The late afternoon sun cast a warm, golden light over the Camp Half-Blood kitchen. I was scrubbing the counters, trying to stay focused despite the lingering sense of loneliness. I was supposed to be cleaning with Lianne today, but a last-minute switch had left me working solo.
Just as I reached for a fresh sponge, the kitchen door swung open. I looked up, expecting Lianne, but instead, Luke walked in with a mop and bucket. My heart skipped a beat.

"Hey, Rosalynne," Luke said, offering a friendly smile as he set down his cleaning supplies. "Looks like we're paired up today."

I was surprised but quickly masked it with a smile of my own. "Oh, hi, Luke. I thought I'd be with Lianne today."

"Yeah, there was a mix-up," Luke said, starting to mop the floor. "But it's nice to have some company."

"Yeah, nice," I replied, turning back to my work, trying to hide my nerves.

Luke tried to break the ice. "So, how's everything going? It feels like it's been a while since we caught up."

I glanced at him briefly, feeling the awkwardness between us. "It's been busy. Lots to do around here."

Luke continued, trying to keep the conversation light. "I was thinking about that movie night we planned. Maybe we should set a date soon?"

I gave a small, distracted nod. "Yeah, we should. Just let me know when."