JASMINE

I slid the canoe into the water, making sure not to let go of the rope which saved me the trouble of having to swim after a runaway boat. I kicked off my flip flops and let them land in the sand, then stepped into the cool water. I ran through the series of safety tests on the canoe like a machine; this was my fourth year at camp Little Creek, and I had been in charge of the canoes since the first. To be honest, it was my favorite job I had to perform, getting ready for the campers. Well, that and decorating my cabin. I liked to put up pictures of far off, exotic places. Places I'd never been, but someday wished to go. I didn't travel much, or really at all, because my parents refused to take me anywhere out of the country. But someday I knew I would get to go, eventually, and I would see everything I'd ever dreamed of.

My watch let out a beep, and I looked down to find a message from The Genie.

"How are you getting settled?" it read. I sighed. Having to think about my duties as a spy while getting ready for camp sort of soured the experience. It was nice to feel normal for a few days, even though I knew I would be assigned a mission soon anyway. I was going to answer The Genie back, but I figured he could wait, and returned to my job.

When I'd finished with the first canoe, I shoved it up onto the shore, and dragged the next one into the water. I flipped my long, black hair out of my eyes, annoyed because it was always getting in the way. I had only gone into the lake up to my knees, and was hoping not to get too wet, for I had a counselor meeting to attend shortly after I was finished with the canoes. Planting my hands firmly in the canoe, I hoisted myself up and landed with a thud inside. As stably as I could I stood up, then walked around, feeling for any faulty wood or damage. Suddenly, I lost my balance and landed with a splash in the water. Rubbing my face to wipe off the water, I heard a laughing coming from the beach. I looked up to find a young man, about my age with olive-colored skin and dark hair, laughing at me. However, his laughing wasn't cruel or taunting; it was quite friendly.

"I guess you witnessed my graceful fall," I accused, calling out to him. He laughed again.

"Yes, and it was very graceful." The man walked over to the water, where I was trying to swim to, and extended his hand. I took it, and he pulled me out with force, yet gently. I had to hope I wasn't blushing. "You must be Jasmine. Jafar sent me to find you. He wanted me to tell you that the staff meeting was starting."

"Oh, yes, I am Jasmine. And you must be the new counselor, Aladdin," I guessed, knowing that he was the only counselor that hadn't been to the camp before. He nodded. "Is Jafar mad?" I asked, cringing at the thought. Jafar, my boss, was an ill-tempered stickler, who absolutely hated tardiness.

"Not yet, but I'm afraid if we don't hurry he will be." I had to smile; this Aladdin was so friendly and warm. Something told me we were going to be good friends.

ALADDIN

She was beautiful, I couldn't deny it. Not to mention, friendly and kind. But I would try not to get too attached to anyone-who knew what my assignment would be? For all I knew, she was the enemy.

As we sat down, Jafar looked at us with displeasure over his sharply pointed noise. His angular face molded into a frown, his beady eyes piercing our skulls. Oh yes, he would be a wonderful boss.

"Jasmine," he started, each syllable he said strong and clear. "Why on earth are soaking wet?" He said this as if it were the worst crime in the world. I stifled a laugh; it had been funny!

"While testing the canoes I'm afraid I fell in the lake," she answered, meeting his eyes with confidence. He sighed, obviously disapproving.

"Clumsy," he muttered. Then he addressed the eight other counselors as well. "Alright, the campers arrive tomorrow, and we have to be ready for them. Once you finish at your assigned jobs, do a check of the inventory, and make sure your cabins are in order. We have some returning campers this year, so if you recognize them, please address them by name. Only if you recognize them, Kathleen." He glared at a short, brown-haired girl who seemed to want to melt.

Jafar was a merciless ruler.

"There is to be no romantic relationships between any counselors," he continued. "It is completely inappropriate and unnecessary." I couldn't help but smirk, and I saw Jasmine's eyes flicker in my direction. I wondered if she was puzzled with me.

Once the staff meeting was finished the group of counselors dispersed to the locations of their duties, leaving me alone with Jasmine.

"May I walk you back to your cabin?" I asked, making a formal sweep of the hand. She giggled, and I secretly congratulated myself on a job well done.

"I would be honored."
"So how long have you been working here?" I tried to make conversation.

"This is my fourth year. Oh, but I went here three years as a camper."
"How do you stand Jafar?"

"I barely can! But after a while he's not so bad." Suddenly I heard a beeping, one that sounded like my tablet. My heart skipped a beat, and I reached to silence the message, but found that my tablet was off. "That's just my stupid old watch," Jasmine said suddenly, pressing a few buttons. A few seconds later, the beeping stopped. "It's been broken for forever. Sometimes the alarms just go off uncontrollably." She was playing it off well, whatever it was, but, being a trained spy, I could tell that she was suddenly a bit jumpy and uncomfortable. We could see her cabin from where we stood, and I didn't want to press it.

"It was nice meeting you, Jasmine. I hope to see you around camp," I said, putting our conversation to an end. She nodded and smiled.

"You too."

I walked back to my own cabin thinking about her. Something was different about her. I just couldn't tell what yet.

RAJAH

Dear Diary,

Tomorrow I start camp at Little Creek! So excited! I hope counselor Jasmine is there again. She always was my favorite.

Your friend, Rajah