Jasmine  

XIII  

I wake up to the rustling sounds of forest leaves, and the delicate melodies of chirping birds.  

I look around. When you’re not being chased by a whole army of guards... it’s actually quite a charming place.  

Before I could muse more on the beauty of the forest, my eyes landed on the person next to me.  

I dart up. Who-  

Oh. Right.  

The idiot.  

I roll my eyes, and turn to look around and think about our situation. That is until I have a thought.  

I whip back around to look at Cairo.  

Was I... sleeping on his shoulder?  

Absolutely not. Jasmine, you did no such thing.  

...Right?  

Ugh.  

I snap out of these stupid thoughts. Of course I didn’t. Jasmine, you idiot.  

Okay, so now what?  

We need a plan.  

A plan to get off this island, and to escape before the guards capture us.  

My thoughts are interrupted by Ro.  

“Heyyy, princess.” Words can not describe how much I hate him.  

“I thought I told you not to call me that?”  

He rolls his eyes, and sashays over to where I’m standing.  

“Whatever. So? Got a plan yet?”  

Now it’s my turn to roll my eyes.  

“Yes, actually. So-”  

“Sure. I’m sure you do, and I’m sure it’s a great one. But I’m famished. Want to grab something to eat, at the city diner? It’s only about a mile and a half away.”  

My eyes widen in shock. How rude can a person be? He asked me a question, then interrupted my answer? Plus, what a stupid idea anyways.  

“No, I don’t want to, actually.”  

Now he looks like the one in shock. “But why?”  

“Because, you idiot, use some sense. Do you think Zaro and the guards are going to stop and wait for us to finish a five course meal before chasing us? Absolutely not.”  

I glare at him before I continue. “Plus, what do you mean by ‘only a mile and a half?’ That’s quite a long walk. Use some common sense, Ro. We don’t have the time for this.”  

“But, I’m hungry,” he pouts. Oh great. Why must he act like a child? I’m fairly sure he’s at least a couple of years older than me. How immature.  

“I said no.”  

A grin spreads across his face. What the-  

Before I can speak, he lifts up one of my gold bangles, and I step back in surprise.  

“How did you get that? Give it to me!”  

“Come on, Jasmine! It’ll take less than an hour and a half.”  

“I said no, you dimwitted thief! Give that back right now, or-”  

“Or what? You’ll call law enforcement?”  

I...  

Fine.  

“You win this time, but if we get caught, it’s your fault. Fair?”  

“Fair.”  

He throws the bangle back at me, and I barely catch it, gripping the very edge of the smooth metal bracelet. What a jerk.  

We head north, in the direction of one of the only diners on the island.  

Cairo  

XIV  

After some convincing, Jasmine finally agreed to go to a diner. Good, because I’m not sure that I had any other convincing tactics up my sleeve.  

As we approach the main city, a dirt path turns to cobblestones under our feet, and trees turn into terracotta housing and colorfully painted bricks. The joyous sound of yelling children rings through my ears, and I can hear street venders calling their prices. I've never actually been able to admire the streets of Espen like this before. I’ve only ever truly been through them while being on the run from the law enforcement, which is technically what I’m doing now, but for some reason, this time, it feels safer.  

“It’s actually pretty nice,” my thoughts are interrupted by Jasmine’s smooth voice.  

“See, I told you we should come here!”  

“Shut up.” There’s annoyance in her voice, but she playfully bumps me with her hip. Hey, at least she’s not mad at me anymore. I wasn’t sure about it on the way here; she had a stormy look on her face the whole time. That makes me think that those bangles must be meaningful to her. Honestly, I regret taking them now.  

“Hey,” I begin. “I’m sorry. About...”  

“It’s okay. Just don’t do it again.” I look at Jasmine in shock. She didn’t even give me a lecture this time! That’s... refreshing. I still do feel bad, though. Well, I’ll just make it up somehow, later.

After another couple of minutes of walking, we reach the plaster door to the diner. It looks cheapy built, yet beautiful and timeless at the same time. The faint smell of coffee and pastries drifts outside.  

“Well, ladies first,” Jasmine beams at me. Hey, it seems like she’s picking up my joke habit. Can’t complain about that!  

“Haha, very funny.” I wait for Jasmine to step in, then follow behind her, ducking to get through the door.