Booknut’s Comments (group member since Mar 09, 2013)

Booknut’s comments from the Shadow Falls group.

Sebastian's gaze was wary as he scanned their surroundings from where he stood, arms crossed over his chest, on the cabin porch.

"No one's around," he said as Alexa walked over to join him, finishing the end of her braid and securing it with a hair tie. "They must be in the mess hall."

Alexa nodded, pressing her lips together. "My parents are going to be furious," she mumbled, the words escaping despite her better judgement. "I'm nothing but a disappointment to them, and this - this leaving the camp is going to prove that to them."

Sebastian's gaze flickered to her, leaving her slightly breathless with its intensity. "You're a good friend," he told her, before clearing his throat gruffly and turning away. "Besides, we'll be back as soon as we make sure Felicia is not being stalked by a paranormal intent on either killing her or harming her in an way."

Alexa fiddled with the end of her braid. "You don't have to come with us, you know. I understand that you feel obligated-"
"I'm coming," he said firmly, cutting her off. "Now, is Rebecca ready to go?"

"She was making peanut butter and jam sandwiches when I last saw her."
"Does she think we're going on a picnic?" Sebastian snorted, shaking his head. "Girls."

"Hmph." They both turned around to see Bec standing in the doorway to the cabin, eyes narrowed at Sebastian. "Well, if you get peckish during our trip don't come whining to me!"

Alexa pressed her lips together, biting back a grin. "Ready?"
"Let's go kick some ass!" Bec said, punching the air with her fist.

((To the Forest))

"Flashlight?"
"Catch." Alexa's hand shot out, grabbing the bright pink flashlight from the air and shoving it in her bag.
"Snacks?"
Rebecca's head popped out from behind the open fridge door. "Of course."
"First aid kit?"
"Got it."

Alexa could feel Sebastian's glare drilling into her back. "Good," she replied, ignoring him and zipping her bag closed. "Bec..." She hesitated, unsure of how to word it. "Are you sure?"

Rebecca nodded, swallowing hard. "Yeah. I'm sure."
"Sure of what?" Sebastian practically growled, looking pissed at being kept out of the loop.
"Rebecca saw Felicia leave," Alexa told him, hefting the bag over one shoulder. "And someone....something, followed her."

Sebastian's eyes widened. "You don't think it's the thing that burned the cabin down? That passed the camp border undetected?"
"We don't know," Alexa said. "But we're going to find out."
"You can't leave."
"I'd like to see you try and stop me."
"You're a witch who can barely handle her own powers," he pointed out. "And no offence, but Rebecca can heal. That's about it."

"Hey!" Rebecca looked indignant. "I can cook, too."

Alexa gritted her teeth. "We're going after her to make sure she's safe. No matter what you think."
"Then let me come with you."
"What?" both girls exclaimed, Alexa's eyes nearly popping out of her head. "Why?" she added, pulling herself together. "Why would-"

"Guard remember?" He tapped the side of his nose. "And something tells me you'll need my expertise and brilliant control of magic."
"Smart ass."
"Stubborn mule."
"The first sign of your ego and I'm sending you packing."

Sebastian smirked, sliding past her. "I'd like to see you try."

Alexa arrived back the cabin, Sebastain trailing close behind her - and found Rebecca sitting on the cabin steps, staring listlessly at the patch trampled grass at her feet.

"Bec?" Alexa quickened her pace, stopping directly before Rebecca's sneakered feet - but she didn't lift her gaze from the ground. "Are you okay? Where's-"
"Felicia's gone."
"To the mess hall?" Alexa heard Sebastian come up behind her. "Or did she and Jake head to the lake-"
"She's gone." Rebecca lifted her head, eyes sparkling with tears. "She left."

At the end of the hour, Alexa was exhausted from having to pretend to be interested in Sebastian's attempts to get her to talk.

"Look." Alexa took a deep breath. "Let's just head back."
"Why? Having too much fun?" She could have sworn he was teasing her. Either that or he'd loss one too many pints of blood.

Blood...hang on. Her head whipped around - her glare pinning him to the spot. "How did we end up as partners, exactly?" she demanded, already guessing the answer.

Sebastian cleared his throat. "Well, technically I'm your guard. So I have to be by you at all times."
"So you gave blood."
"Only a little," he conceded, shrugging.
"Why?"
"Why what?"
"Why did you give blood?"
"I dunno, Trent. Maybe I enjoy your scintillating company."

Ugh. Shaking her head in disgust, she got to her feet. "I'm heading back," she said, tossing her braid over her shoulder. He got to his feet. "Feel free to stay!" she added brightly, shooting him a fake smile.

"Ha ha." He raised an eyebrow, giving her a knowing look. "Nice try."

(To the Cabins)

Great, thought Alexa as Sebastian took a seat beside her - causing more than a few curious and suggestive glances to be thrown their way. Just great. "Something wrong?" she asked him, striving to remain polite.

Sebastian raised an eyebrow. "Ah...no. Why, should there be?"
"The world must be ending if you're looking for company here," she retorted, gesturing at herself. "Don't you have anyone else to bother?"
"Nope." He grinned. "Besides - I'm meant to be guarding you, remember?"
"Then guard over there."

He tutted. "Now, now, Alexa. Did you donate blood? I hear blood loss can make witches cranky."
"I'm not cranky you - you - " She groaned in exasperation, crossing her arms over her chest. I hate this place she thought. And if Chris pairs me with him I will stake him, I swear.

(Yep ;))

(Sebastian's still at the cabin. He'll join in later.)

"No," Alexa replied, shaking her head. "It's my second year here."
"Mine too," Rebecca added, wrapping her arms around her knees as she drew them back up to her chest. "We're cabin mates. Us, and Felicia."

Alexa grimaced. "Ah...witches can," she said slowly, trying not to dwell on her own inadequate skills, "But I can't. It's a spell that takes alot of practice."

Alexa spotted a tall girl with beautiful purple eyes walk in, hesitating slightly as if she didn't know where to sit.

"Hey," Alexa said, waving at her. "You can come sit with us."

The girl smiled slightly and walked over, taking a seat on the other side of Rebecca. "Hi," she said, tucking a strand of brown hair behind one ear. "I'm Alice. Shapeshifter."
"Alexa. Witch."
"Rebecca. Fae."

(Yes. http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/1... )

Chris - the vampire in charge of pairing up campers/students for Meet Your Campmate Hour - was already there, eyes scanning the list attached to his clipboard. He lifted his head when he saw the girls and waved.

"Hey guys," he said, getting to his feet. "You're early."

"Yeah," Alexa said, finding a spot on the ground that wasn't too damp. Rebecca just stared at Chris. Is it because he's a vampire? Alexa wondered. But the red that slowly tainting Rebecca's cheeks told a different story. "Want to give us a clue to our partners?" she asked him, jokingly. She knew what the answer would be.

Chris snorted, rolling his eyes. "Nice try, Alexa. You know the rules. I'm as silent as the grave."
"That's not saying much," she countered, earning a mock glare from Chris.
"Be nice, Alexa. Or I'll pair you with a troll."
"Do any go here?"
"Don't push your luck." Chris' gaze switched from her to Rebecca, who was seated beside Alexa, intently studying the grass. "Hey, Rebecca."

She lifted her head, though her gaze met the air around his head as she avoided his eyes. "Hi...Chris," she managed, giving a brief smile.
"You had quite a few requests," Chris told her.
"Really?" She looked startled.
"Really. Three, if I remember correctly."
"Umm...that's...interesting," she replied, fiddling with a strand of her hair.

"So how long until we start, Chris?" Alexa asked, saving Rebecca from Chris' piercing gaze. Vampires had gorgeous eyes, but it was hard to have them look at you for too long. You began to feel like prey. Or a cheeseburger.

"A few more minutes," Chris replied, checking his watch. "The others should be arriving any minutes now."

Alexa and Rebecca finished their food and left the mess hall for the clearing. Campmate hour was next.

(@Sasha - she's not! She's just speaking with her mouth full :))

Alexa and Rebecca found a table, eating their breakfast in amicable silence. Halfway through a warm, buttery croissant, Alexa spoke. "So..." She waved a hand. "Any ideas who you want to be paired with come campmate hour?"

Rebecca made a face, pausing in the middle of buttering a piece of toast. "Not a vampire," she replied, giving a little shudder. "Apart from that, I don't really have a particular person I want...and if I did, I don't think I would give blood simply to spend an hour with them."

Alexa had to partially agree. Giving blood was a personal - and also a painful - process, and here at Shadow Falls, blood was like a black-market currency.

"What about you?" Rebecca waggled her eyebrows. "Anyone I should know about?"
"Nope."
"Oh, come on." Rebecca took a bite out of her toast. "Yoof an Sevaston aar ootallee eenoo eeshothar."
"We are not into eachother!"

"Come on," Rebecca said, tugging on Alexa's arm as she watched Jake and Felicia leave. "We'll grab something to eat. We've got enough time - there's about twenty minutes before campmate hour starts."

Alexa nodded. "Deal."

(Alexa and Rebecca have gone to the Mess Hall)

Alexa raised an eyebrow at Sebastian. "Thanks what?" she asked, blinking rapidly.

She hadn't gotten much sleep, and she knew she'd regret it when her late night caught up with her. Perhaps coffee was in order.

When Sebastian continued to stare, she let out an exasperated sigh. "What? Do I have green hair or something? Is there a lizard stuck to my forehead?"

Sebastian just leaned back into the couch, smirking. "Nice shorts," he said, the corners of his mouth deepening in amusement. "Are those...bunnies?"

Slowly...very, very slowly...Alexa lowered her gaze. Satin bunny-print pyjama shorts. Flimsy white tank top. Hell on a pretzel stick. "I'll-be-right-back-just-got-to-change-something-" she threw over her shoulder, racing back into the bedroom and slamming the door shut behind her.

Great. Cringing under the weight of her embarrassment, Alexa tugged open a drawer and search for a sweatshirt and shorts - shorts without happy bunnies frolicking on them.

"Camp mate hour?" Felicia said, saving Alexa. I love my friends, Alexa thought, giving Felicia a big smile, hoping that relayed to her how grateful Alexa was. "Sounds like a ball."

"See you there, gorgeous," Jake said, winking at his girlfriend.
"Puh-lease." Felicia came over, leaning over the back of the couch to wrap her arms around Jake's neck. "Like you'd be that desperate. Donating blood for moi?!"

Alexa wiped her hands on the dishcloth, trying to rein in her temper. "That's what Sebastian's good at," she told Felicia sullenly, chucking the cloth back on the bench and heading out of the kitchen. "Pissing me off."

"Come on, Trent." Sebastian'd smirked. He couldn't have confronted her alone. Nope. He'd managed to confront her right in the middle of the annual clan gathering.

"No." Alexa'd tossed her hair over her shoulder, raising her chin. 'Dignity before downfall' her mother, co-leader of the West Clan, was fond of reminding her. "I don't have to listen to the likes of you, Sebastian Lysander."

"Just one little flame." Sebastian had brought his hand right before her face, snapping his fingers. Flinching, she'd scrambled back - watching with envy as a flame sprang to life, licking at his fingers. Grinning, Sebastian had snapped his fingers again and the flame had gone up in a puff of smoke.

Like magic. Like it was the easiest thing in the world.

And it would be - for the prodigy son of the Lysanders, leaders of the East clan. But evidently not for Alexa. And Sebastian just loved to rub that in her face.

"I. Will. Not." She began walking, heading back into the party. He'd manage to corner her when she'd slipped outside to be alone. She'd learn from this and stick to crowded places, preferably with her parents in calling distance.

"You mean you can. Not. Right?" His teasing tone had stung.
"Don't put words into my mouth," she'd spat over her shoulder.

"I wouldn't dream of it," he'd called after her retreating back.

"You okay?" Alexa blinked, to see Jake sitting on the couch looking at her, brows lowered. "You spaced out a little."

"Sorry," she said, forcing a smile. "Just thinking about camp mate hour tomorrow morning. Sounds like fun, huh?"

The show finished, and Alexa peeled herself off the couch - ignoring Sebastian who'd also gotten to his feet, stretching his arms over his head. "Gosh those girls are annoying," Jake said, smothering a yawn with the back of his hand."

"How?" Felicia asked, poking him in the side.
He swatted at her hand. "Who the hell decides sneaking out to a deserted greenhouse in the middle of the night is a good idea? Are they trying to get killed?"

Alexa laughed, grabbing the empty mugs. "You make a very good point."

Jake grinned. "I'm just saying. They're as obvious as Barney the Dinosaur stumbling across the camp border."
"Maybe that's who our mystery intruder is!" Felicia teased.
"Ha ha."

Smiling at them, Alexa headed into the kitchen, setting the mugs in the sink and turning on the tap. Without turning around, she could sense Sebastian's presence behind her. Out of the corner of her eye she saw him set down his own mug and pick up the dishcloth that hung over the edge of the bench.

"Here." He was totally in her personal space bubble now. "Let me help."

Shaking her head to clear it, she scowled over her shoulder at him. "I'm fine doing it on my own."
Ignoring her, he came around her right side, grabbing the dripping clean mug and drying it the cloth, before opening up the cupboard below the sink. She sighed. "Top cupboard on the left."

His eyes lifted to meet hers, as he gave her a small smile. "Thanks for the directions, Alexa."

"How's it going in here?" Felicia walked in, raising an eyebrow when she spotted Sebastian packing the mugs away. Alexa shot her a look which Felicia answered with a blinding grin. "Oh, how nice. You didn't have to, Sebastian."

"I was on guard duty," he replied, turning around. "Thought I'd help out until whoever's taking the next shift arrives." Smirking, he draped the dishcloth over Alexa's shoulder, leaning down to murmur, "Don't want the cabin burning down from the inside."

"Funny." Alexa's glare could have killed. "I have some control over my magic."
Sebastian's eyes glittered. "If you say so."
"Ass."
"Potty mouth."