chapter 18 : Return

Alexander and Becca returned to the camp.
Vanessa ran to them. ��Where were the two of you? Lucas and Julia came back a long time ago.�� She noticed the entwining hands of Alexander and Becca. A teasing look formed over her lips as she asked, ��Were you two romancing with each other in the middle of the jungle?��
Immediately, Alexander and Becca broke the connection of their hands, and Becca shook her head. She said to Vanessa, ��No. We were just watching the sunset together because I insisted on watching it. And damn, it sure was beautiful.��
��Sunset?�� Vanessa arched an eyebrow and glanced at Alexander.
��Yes,�� Becca replied curtly. ��Where shall we put these bags?��
��Leave them there. Tell Antonio to help you,�� she said to Becca, who nodded and went to keep the collected wood at one place.
Vanessa cleared her throat and turned to her brother. As she was about to open her mouth, Alexander interrupted, saying, ��Don��t spit rubbish.��
��Okay,�� she said with a smirk. ��How was the sunset, my dear brother?��
He glared at her. ��Throw it away, whatever is going on in your mind.��
��Alex, you can��t deny the fact that she is your soulmate. You got proof as well.�� She pointed at his chest. ��Place a hand over your heart and see if it beats each time you think of her. All you need is time to get to know her.��
He rolled his eyes. ��That��s what I don��t have now. The time.��
She furrowed her eyebrows. ��What do you mean?��
��Everyone in our world learned about the potion and is now after Becca,�� he explained to Vanessa, who gasped. ��On our way here, after watching the sunset, Becca could sense a strong power, and when I stood next to her, I could feel the other vampires approaching. They are here for the potion like me.��
��But how did they learn about it?�� she questioned, looking at Becca, who was talking to other students with a bright smile on her face. ��Poor her.��
��Pristine��s assistant had spread the news to everywhere,�� he replied curtly and followed Vanessa��s gaze. ��Becca has no idea what is happening in our world just because of her. She has no idea of what she is and how much worth she holds for the vampires.��
��Alex, you have to stay with her all the time,�� Vanessa advised. ��I will protect the other students if something happens, but you have to protect Becca.��
��Obviously,�� he let out and she looked at him in amusement. Seeing her look, Alexander added, ��I have to look after her for Phil.��
��Yeah, right,�� she uttered, not believing his words at all. ��She is a nice girl, though. She will keep you happy, Alex.��
Alexander glanced at Becca from a distance and mumbled, ��I know, but I am not here to fall in love, especially with a human.��
��It��s time to cook delicious warm food,�� Sebastian announced. ��I have set up everything. After dinner, we can all gather up and play truth and dare.��
All cheered and helped Sebastian to put together a scrumptious meal.
Meanwhile, Alexander was sitting on a log, quietly watching everyone. He wondered how human beings could be so different from them. They were chirpy and enjoyed their existence most of the time, while the vampires only cared about strengthening their powers.
��Mind if I sit?�� Becca asked, breaking Alexander from his trance.
She was standing there, wearing a hoodie.
��You didn��t ask for my permission when we were on the bus,�� he responded.
She grinned. ��You are right.�� With that, she sat next to him. ��What are you thinking?��
He answered, still looking at the students cooking, ��Just pondering that human nature is weird.��
��Why though?�� she inquired and followed his gaze. ��I find them extremely cool. Everyone knows how to express themselves, and this is the best trait. Because if you don��t express yourself, how will people relate to you?��
He looked at her. ��You have a weird way of thinking,�� he mumbled. ��Why are you wearing this hoodie, though?��
She rubbed her hands and said, ��I am just feeling a little cold.��
��Then warm food should help,�� Antonio murmured out of nowhere, making Becca jump a little at his sudden appearance. He was standing behind Alexander and Becca.
��Geez. How do you pop out of thin air?�� Alexander grumbled.
��Antonio, stop doing that,�� she informed him, her hand still over her chest. ��You gave me a heart attack.��
Antonio gave a sheepish grin and handed a box of grilled sandwiches. ��Nessa said to give you these since you love sandwiches. These are fresh and warm.��
Becca wanted to eat it at that instant, but she refrained from doing so. ��Leave it in my tent. I will eat it later.��
��Why?�� he asked, and Alexander observed her every movement.
��I prefer to eat cold food,�� she lied fluently. ��You can give these to Alex instead.��
��No, I am not hungry,�� Alexander said, giving a stern look to Antonio when he was about to hand the box to him.
��Come on, Becca. Cold food is tasteless,�� Antonio said and took out a sandwich from the box. ��You should eat warm food. It is healthy for you. Look at your figure. You are so slim.��
Alexander threw daggers with his eyes at Antonio at the mention of her figure. It meant that he eyed Becca and Alexander hated the thought. He had an urge to punch him square in his face.
��No, I���� Becca was interrupted by Antonio stuffing the sandwich in her mouth.
��No ifs and buts. Only delicious warm food is heavenly.��
Becca wanted to spit out the warm sandwich but she couldn��t because Antonio fed her with so much care. She couldn��t disappoint him and make him sad by spitting out the food. She chewed it politely against her will and gulped it.
Antonio had no idea what he did by feeding her the warm food. He handed the box to Becca and ran back to his other friends, leaving Alexander and Becca alone.
��Why didn��t you want to eat?�� Alexander asked Becca after Antonio was far away from them.
She shrugged her shoulders. ��Who said I didn��t want to? I just love eating cold food.��
��Really?�� he asked, not believing her at all. He felt like she was hiding something.
��Guys, gather up for the truth and dare game!�� Vanessa hollered and everyone started to sit on different logs, circling the bonfire.
��You don��t mind me sitting with you during the game, do you?�� Becca asked, totally avoiding the question Alexander asked before.
��Will you get up if I say that I mind?�� he inquired, a small smile playing on his lips.
She chuckled, watching others join them as they were already sitting on one of the logs. ��Your response doesn��t matter, Alexander. I will sit with you, anyway.��