The next day, they continued their travel through the forest, taking the path Rowan had suggested. Midway through the day, they stopped to allow Kronos and Rocky to drink some water and to eat a quick lunch.
Jesika came and sat next to Aquila where she perched on a ledge next to Rowan. Jesika smiled at her as Aquila bit into her sandwich and looked at her.
"Yes?" Aquila asked through a mouthful.
Jesika shrugged. "I just wondered if you would like to come eat with me. Let us have some... girl time while the guys have some... guy time," Jesika clumsily suggested.
Aquila finished her bite and grinned. "That sounds great, actually," she paused, turning to look at Rowan, "that fine with you?"
He responded with a shrug.
Jesika took Aquila's hand and led her away from camp a little, to sit on a nearby tree that had broken in half.
"So, what made you decide to do this?" Aquila asked.
Jesika shrugged. "I guess I just missed talking to you. One on one. There hasn't been much time to do that recently."
Aquila nodded. "There really hasn't. I've missed it too," Aquila paused, looking at her. "I'm really sorry about what Rowan said yesterday. His ego and intelligence make him a butt sometimes."
Jesika laughed half-heartedly, shaking her head. "It's fine. He had a point. I have been a little self-centered as of late."
Aquila tilted her head. "Darryn told me a little about your two's talk yesterday. How are things going with him? I know for a while there was a lot of tension between you two because of the breakup."
Jesika blushed, her mind going back to the impulsive kiss from yesterday. It really hadn't meant anything, but would Aquila see it that way? "We're uh... We're alright. I think the tension's finally gone. We talked about what happened and it seemed to clear up a lot between us," Jesika said, deciding to just carefully maneuver around the kiss.
Aquila smiled warmly. "Good. I'm glad you guys are back to normal."
"Me too," Jesika paused, looking at Aquila, "and I really hope things can go back to normal with you too. I know I pushed you two away and I really shouldn't have. I'm working on changing that."
Aquila's expression softened. She wrapped her arm around Jesika, laying her head on her shoulder. "Oh, Jes—don't worry about it. I can't begin to understand what you've been going through and I can only imagine how horribly I'd be acting if it had happened to me."
Jesika smiled, leaning her head against hers.
***
"You know, I regret what I said to Jesika."
Darryn choked on his sandwich at Rowan's sudden words. When Aquila and Jesika had left them, they had been left with awkward silence. That awkward silence had remained until just now. Darryn swallowed, looking up at Rowan.
"Come again?" Darryn said incredulously.
Rowan rolled his eyes, pulling at the bread on his sandwich. "You heard me. I regret what I said to her. I wish I hadn't said it."
Darryn set his sandwich aside, turning his attention fully to Rowan. "I didn't take you as the type to regret anything."
Rowan chuckled, looking into the forest. "I'm not. But even I can see when I've gone too far. And I did."
Darryn shook his head. "Then why'd you even say that to her in the first place?"
Rowan shrugged. "I don't think I was wrong in my theory, as unfortunate as that might be. I just regret saying it to her. But she can't keep being so impulsive. It's going to get us killed. I just wanted her to think about what she is putting at risk."
