Cabin 13 ~Book 1~

20

*Jesse's POV*
I watched as Sydney was led away by Tara and they started to talk and whisper to each other.
Then Ethan joined them and I felt my blood boil like water in a pot. I glared at them as Tara walked off, leaving Sydney and him alone.
He'd called her Syd. No one calls her Syd but me. And they definitely know each other, as she'd said before. But how well did she know him?
My first reaction was to walk towards them and pull Sydney to me. To show this "Ethan" guy who Sydney was really with.
But before I even had the chance to, she broke away from him and headed into the gym, almost stomping as she did. This made me chuckle at the sight, and I felt myself almost calm down. I still didn't trust him, but at least I could see that she didn't have much interest in him.
The rest of us filed in after her and waited for instructions from Logan. He was standing by a CD player that sat on a chair, looking at us and waiting.
"I'm going to call off who your partner is. One of you will switch off with someone else so just listen up." He walked over to me first. "Jesse and Tara. You're also working with Mason. Switch off every few minutes or so. Ethan and Sydney, since it's obvious you two know each other. Partner up."

As I heard their names called together, my blood began to boil again my hands clenched into fists. We all joined our partners but my mind was more focused on Ethan and Sydney. He looked almost smug about them being partnered together and I remembered how Sydney reacted before when she saw him.

Did they date? Did he hurt her or did they sleep together? My mind asked, firing off questions to myself left and right. I wanted answers, and I wanted to know now.

"Jesse! Would you pay attention?" Logan asked. "Why is that I always have problems with you?"
"Whatever, sorry." I muttered, turning to Tara who came up and let Logan guide her in how to stand. He also guided me in how to hold her hands up or how to lead as demonstration for everyone else. Then he went to help Sydney and Ethan. I glared over at them again.

"Jesse, let it go." Tara said to me then, noticing my glare.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Don't treat me like I'm stupid." She said, looking at our feet. "Step back. Lead and talk okay?" I did as she said. "They may have dated but don't be a jerk. Or a possessive douche. You'll just tick her off."

*Sydney's POV*
I knew that Jesse had been watching Ethan and I all throughout the activity time. Glaring a few times, but it was less after Tara had said something to him. Maybe she helped him relax.
Or so I'd thought.

"So... you know Ethan then?" he asked as we walked towards the mess hall, almost trying to play it cool. Almost. He put his arm around me and watched as Ethan walked in front of us.

"Yeah..." I said, not sure what else to say. I was tense, ready for a fight. If anyone was the jealous type, Jesse was definitely it.
"How well?"
"Didn't you ask that earlier?" I said nonchalantly, avoiding the question.
"Answer me." He growled, causing her to look over at me.
"You need to take a chill pill. He and I dated a few months ago, it didn't end well, and it's over alright? Now just... let it go Jesse." I moved up in the lunch line, grabbing a sandwich wrapped in aluminum.

"Don't tell me what to do. I just don't want to watch you to reconnect right in front of me." He accused, scowling as she grabbed her drink and started towards a table.
"Well maybe you shouldn't assume things Jesse! Jeez, you don't know anything about what happened and I'm definitely not a cheater. So if you don't have any faith in me, maybe we should just end whatever this is right here and right now." I said, my tone sharp and cold.

We both sat there, glaring at each other and drawing looks from people around us. After what seemed like forever, he finally broke the staring contest and ran a hand through his hair. He sighed deeply, shoulders slumped.
"Alright. I'm sorry." He said, shocking me into complete silence. It seemed like another rare thing-apologies from Jesse Pierce. "I just don't trust easily. I'll try and have some faith."
He looked at me earnestly, and I could tell he really meant it. I saw something in his eyes that didn't show very often- trust.
It wasn't a lot, and I was sure it'd take a while for him to really see that I wasn't going to do anything with Ethan, but it was a start and that was the most I could ask for from him now, considering his past and experience.
Another thing I felt was the feeling of growing closer to Jesse. Little by little, bit by bit.
I grabbed his hand then and kissed the top of it, and then I kissed his lips for a quick second.

He chuckled at my kiss and seemed a lot like he usually did, a lot more normal. "Don't tease me Syd. You know how to always leave me wanting more, and I just can't handle it." he whispered, his lips grazing my ear.