“Guys, we need to talk,” Caro told Noble and Jon when she and Seilen met up with the rest of the group.
The boys looked at each other then followed Caro away from the group.
“What’s going on?” Noble asked.
“I just need to talk to you both about… being partners…”
The two boys looked at each other with puzzled expressions.
“What is there to talk about? I thought us three were partners.” Jon reminded.
“Well I just didn’t know if that’s what Belbriv said or if he was dividing us up with someone else.”
“Why in the world would he do that?” Noble asked in shock.
“Let me guess, Seilen asked you to be his ‘partner’.” Jon assumed.
“Is there anything wrong with that?” Caro questioned.
“I don’t trust him, Caro,” he answered, shaking his head.
Caro looked at Noble.
“It’s not like I told him yes yet. I told him that I should talk to you both and Belbriv and he thought that was a good idea!”
“Well that was nice of him,” Jon said sarcastically.
“Really, Jon? What’s your problem with him? He’s done nothing to you!”
“I’d like to know what you think of this,” he said to Noble.
Noble looked at both of his friends then shrugged his shoulders.
“I mean, we’re not in control over Caro and who she wants to train with, but I’m with Jon. You don’t know him,”
Caro rolled her eyes.
“Why don’t we leave it up to Belbriv.” Jon finally suggested.
“…We just don’t want you hurt, Caro,”
“Why would he hurt me? We’re all on the same team!”
She was getting angry.
“Let’s just leave it up to Belbriv.” Noble repeated.
“Do you like him or something?” Jon had to know.
Caro shifted her feet around and didn’t answer.
“I see… just be careful then.” Jon said and walked away.
Caro looked at Noble.
“I’d listen. Jon won’t steer you wrong,” and Noble left as well.
Caro didn’t know what to think.
“Well I guess that went better than I thought it would,” Caro told herself.
She felt guilty inside, almost like she was betraying her two best friends. She didn’t know what to do.
***
Jon barely spoke at all that night as they sat around and talked amongst themselves. Noble would bump his arm and try to get him to talk or bring up some “good times” they had had in the past but it didn’t seem to be working. Caro didn’t say much either and Noble knew that he had to stop any division that was beginning to build up between them.
“Well, I think I’m gonna go hit the sack, I’m tired. See you guys tomorrow,” Noble told them, looking at Jon and Caro.
Jon stood up and agreed.
“I’m tired too. See you guys tomorrow,”
And both of them departed.
“Jon, don’t beat around anything anymore… you like her, don’t you?”
Jon exhaled.
“Does that even matter?”
“Jon, I’m your best friend and I know you. You’re jealous because you don’t think she likes you, right?”
Jon looked at him.
“I know she doesn’t like me like that. She never has. But I just can’t believe that she wants to trade her two best friends for him.”
“Tell her how you feel,”
“I can’t do that! I don’t want my emotions and feelings for her getting in the way of training. If I die in this war she probably won’t even care.”
“You know that’s not true, Jon. I’d tell her, even if she doesn’t like you. You’re still friends,”
“That’s easy for you to say.”
“Just trust me.”
He rolled his eyes.
“If all else fails she’ll always be your friend.”
“But she should still always be our partner too…”
Noble didn’t know what more to tell him.
“You aren’t even sure Belbriv will let them be partners, and even if he does, we all still train together anyway.”
Jon nodded, not really paying attention anymore.
“Just talk to her,” Noble advised.
Jon knew he needed to.
***
“So do you all want to go away from the battle yards tomorrow for training?” Cal asked.
They each looked at one another with enthusiasm.
“I’m up for it!” Seilen looked at Caro. “You want to?”
“I guess that would be fun,” –she smiled- “We should tell Noble and Jon to come too.”
“Of course we will!” Paime said enthusiastically.
“Wonderful! I’ll tell Belbriv that we’re going away and where we are just in case.” Cal explained.
“Where are we going?” Caro wondered.
“Why don’t we go to the pits?” Tasfel suggested.
Caro looked at everyone with a puzzled expression.
“That’s a good idea. Let’s plan on meeting here at sunrise so we can get an early start.” Seilen suggested.
So the plan was set; they would train at “the pits” all day the next day. Whatever “the pits” were, Caro just hoped that Noble and Jon would come along…
