Percy's P.O.V
I was sitting beside the enormous campfire enjoying pizza and lemonade alone by the Poseidon table. This was pretty much every evening, sitting alone. Annabeth had left for two weeks to settle some family business with her dad and was coming back in three days. Time seemed to intentionally slow down making me feel more lonely from day to day. My thoughts were interrupted by a large bang. I looked up and noticed that Chiron was bashing his sword against a gong.
„Alright, demigods!" he greeted everyone. „I have a few announcements to make, actually just two. They both have much in common so anyways, listen up! We will be hosting the Capture the Flag match tomorrow evening."
Loud chattering broke out. The people were probably muttering things like „What? Capture the Flag? It's just Thursday!" or „Oh come on, we just had a CTF match…". In general, the crowd didn't like what they had heard, especially after Chiron extended battle classes last week. The camp seemed drained, lifeless, everyone was tired.
„Well, heres the other announcement." the chattering subsided and everyone looked at Chiron. „The Hunters of Artemis will be staying at Camp Halfblood for 4 nights. They will arrive tomorrow morning and participate in the Capture the Flag match. Campers versus Hunters". There was an uneasy silence. A buffed teenager sitting beside the Ares table stood up. Everyone looked at him expectingly. He pulled out his celestial bronze sword.
„Let's show 'em who's the best! Who's with me?"
The whole camp stood up and started chearing and roaring. Suddenly, the campers where somewhat revitalised, ready for tomorrows battle. Even the boys from the Aphrodite table lifted their daggers high. I looked at Chiron and noticed he whispered something like „Here we go again…" to Grover, the camps new Head Assistant.
After dinner I came back to my cabin and threw myself on the bed. I was really missing Annabeth, I wanted to be with her, to see her. The thoughts brought me pain. I tried to focus on the whole Hunters of Artemis business. I didn't know why but my subconciousness was trying to remind me of something. I opened my eyes, surprised by the fact that I totally forgot one important thing. The Hunters of Artemis… Thalia was going to be here! I was glad that Chiron introduced these extended trainings as I was completely lifeless and went to sleep quickly, eager to welcome next morning as fast as I could.
I was woken up by a knock on the door. Involuntarily, I got up rubbing my eyes and tripping over a shield and approached the door opening it. Something rather large hit me.
„Percy!" It was Thalia, giving me a giant bear-hug. Not knowing what to do I hugged her back. She was warm and smelled sweetly, somewhat of flowers. „Gods, it's been ages!" she exclaimed.
„Thalia, wonderful to see you!" she stepped back a bit and looked straight into my face. I saw her beautiful sky-blue eyes staring directly at me. She hadn't changed a bit. Her gorgeous dark hair was now just slightly longer than shoulder length, her pink lips shone lightly from the sun coming through the windows. She wore a real hunters costume. It was mostly silvery material embroided with moons and starts, a mid-thigh long skirt, hunting-like shoes, a sleeveless top and a cloak which also had a hood. She looked more beautiful than ever.
Gods, what was I saying? Was this a way to talk about a friend? I never could hide the fact that I really liked her. Really, liked her.
„Aww Percy, I missed you so much!" she said, smiling widely. „It feels like it's been years since I last saw you. Where's Annabeth?" she said looking surprised. Then she opened her eyes widely. „Oh Gods, is it true what I heard? You guys, you're… um… together?"
„Erm… I suppose… Yes, pretty much."
She gave out a quite squeak and again threw her arms around me. I couldn't resist the strange feeling I had when she did it. Strange but pleasant, her body so close to mine.
Damn it! Again! Percy, stop, you don't want Thalia, you love Annabeth! Now get a grip! But on the other hand, Thalia was worth it. I don't know what is going on with me. A voice near my ears brought me back to my senses.
„Percy, hello?" It was Thalia.
„Um… what?" I asked confused.
„You're squeezing me." I realised I had my hands around her waist. It must have been uncomfortable for us both. I quickly drew them back blushing.
„So, where is she?"
„Umm… oh yeah, Annabeth. She's away, coming back in three days. Went to her dad to… Well I don't really know why she went, she just had to." I didn't want to sound like an idiot, not knowing where my girlfriend had gone.
„Oh, I see. Well… do you want to go for a walk? I haven't spoken to you guys for ages, at least we two can make up most of the time." I saw Thalia was sad that she wouldn't have so much time with Annabeth, just one night. Annabeth would probably come back tired and would crash soon after dinner.
„Yeah, sure, let's go." I grabbed my sneakers and we left the Poseidon cabin and headed of for the beach.
Thalia's P.O.V
We we're sitting there on the beach, just the two of us. We looked into the distant sea enjoying the morning breeze. This was almost a perfect moment in my dull life. It only lacked Percy. Physically he was here, yes, we could do whatever we wanted. But to me, he was away. Annabeth had him. I always liked him, but I saw what he had with Annabeth and I couldn't steal a boyfriend from my best friend. Although it was tempting.
„So, how has life been?" he asked, his voice soothing and pleasant.
„Fine, just hunting monsters, helping demigods, hunting more monsters." I answered plainly.
„Same old, same old." Percy answered.
I couldn't help but to look at him. He was perfect in every detail. I imagined Annabeth in his arms, her sitting with him on the beach, laughing, enjoying themselves, kissing. How I wanted to be in her place. He noticed me looking at him and turned his head to me. I began drowning in his deep, green eyes. They were hipnotising. I wanted him. I wanted Percy, at any cost, even breaking my friends heart.
I scolded myself for even thinking that way. This is what Artemis was teaching us, that boys and love was bad and destructive. I was about to witness this myself. Repelling the thought I shook my head, trying to bring myself back to reality.
„Thals, all good?" he asked caringly. I loved it when he called me 'Thals', it made me feel like I was important for him. Although I was just deluding myself. I felt regret filling me, remembering how Percy looked at me two years ago. I could swear that he was in love with me then. The worst thing was, I was quite aware that Annabeth wanted him, but I didn't think she knew it then. If I acted then, maybe today I would have been with him, tied by his warm arms around him, laughing, kissing.
„Yeah, sure." I answered although I didn't feel reasuring.
In the distance, I heard the Horn of Artemis blow. „Assembly" I thought. I didn't want to leave, I wanted to spend every single minute of my stay here with Percy. I was afraid to grow attached to him, but I couldn't keep away from him. Unwillingly, I got up.
„I need to go, Artemis is calling us in. I'll probably see you at the Capture the Flag match."
He got up, giving me his beautiful smile. I wanted to hug him goodbye to once more feel close to him, but that would be too much, he could start thinking something of me.
„Well, we'll win it, no doubt." he said calmly.
„I'll make sure that's not gonna happen." I replied.
„Well, it'll be hard to keep that promise."
I smiled and so did he. I looked one more into his sea-green eyes, then turned around and headed towards the assembly point.
Percy's P.O.V
„Alright, do we all know what we're doing?" I asked the crowd standing in front of me. Everyone was wearing battle armour, including me. No one said „No" but the team members didn't sound too reassuring.
„Ok, lets just kick their butts!" I yelled.
Everyone started cheering and roaring. We split up into two groups, the offence and defence groups. I was in the offence group however my job was different. I had to sneak up behind enemy lines and just carry the flag back. Sounded easy. In reality, a thousand times harder.
I saw Chiron mount the nearby stand. He drew out his sword pointing it in front of him and yelled.
„The battle has begun!"
Half of the crowd, the offence group, started running forward and yelling with vigour. I ran with them but soon made a right and entered the vast „jungle" of the forest. I could hear sword clangings and shield batterings as I ran past the horde of fighters. I kept on running, looking behind to see the battle waging on, yells and cries.
Suddenly, I hit something quite hard, I felt it was a person. We went tumbling down a rather light hill until we reached the bottom. I grabbed my head which was in quite a pain. I felt something heave was on top. I opened my eyes to see Thalia lying on top of me panting.
„Oww…" she moaned grabbing her elbow. „What is…" She looked down at me. „Percy! What's going on? What just…" she cut off realising that she was lying on top of me. We were so close to each other. I felt my heartbeat become louder and pulse faster. She was so close to me, again. I brushed a strand of hair behind her ear and she blushed.
„I'm sorry I landed on you… Ow!" she tried to get up but caught her arm, her face twisted in pain.
„Are you okay?" I asked.
„I think I just twisted my arm." she caught onto it, trying to massage the pain away. She was still lying on top of me. I looked at her and saw how beautiful she was. Apparently she noticed me looking at her and turned her head round to face me.
„What?" she asked blushing.
„Thalia, you're beautiful." I said not knowing what on Earth had gotten into me. I felt like I was betraying Annabeth, but now even Thalia seemed more of an Aphrodite to me than Annabeth. Her face became even more red.
„Wha… Perc… I…" she was astonished by what I had said, but still, she was lying on me. Her face was so close to mine now, I acted instinctively. I lifted my head gently and kissed her in the lips. It wasn't long and I moved my head back. I saw a tear trickle down from her eye. Suddenly, I felt bad for what I did, it was just wrong. I now officially betrayed Annabeth. I prayed that she would never find out about this. If she had she would've probably made something of her own Tartarus for me.
My trail of thought was cut off by something warm and humid attacking my lips. I noticed it was Thalia. She was kissing me passionately. I didn't know what to do. I wanted her but it felt wrong to betray Annabeth. I fought as much as I could with the part of me loyal to Annabeth, but the part that loved Thalia was much stronger. Soon, it took over me completely. I grabbed Thalia by the waist and didn't fight with what she was doing, I let her kiss me. I gently lifted her and put her on the ground, continuing making out with her.
Thalia's P.O.V
I was being torn apart from inside by my own self. Every part of my brain was screaming out Don'tdoit! but my body was the one in control, and it lusted for Percy. He was on top, crashing his lips onto mine. I wrapped my hands around his neck.
Annabeth!Whatareyoudoing! my brain was yelling.
Enjoyingmyself,forthefirsttimeever! my body answered.
What about your promise!
Huh? Come on, we were 10 years old!
I don't mean the one with Annabeth! What did you swear to Artemis!
Suddenly it hit me. I needed to stop this. I had already broken the vow I took when joining the hunters. I promised to uphold it and now I had lied. Tears trickled down my eyes.
„Percy… stop… please." I asked him.
He obeyed, lifting his head up he must have also noticed what has just happened.
„Oh Gods!" he gasped, horrified when he realised what he had done.
I felt like thrash. My life was shit, that's what I felt now. I saw Percy bending over.
„Thalia, I'm so sorry, please…" he begged.
„Go, leave me Percy." I replied drowning in tears.
„Thalia, really, I don't know what…"
„Just go!" I yelled at him and soaked out more tears. Artemis would throw me out of the hunters. I was nothing to her… Nothing. I could hear Percy get up and run away. I felt weak and passed out.
When I woke up, I was not in the forest anymore. I opened my eyes lazily and a strong light shone into them. I covered my eyes with my hands and the light seemed to become less intense. I slowly lifted myself up and noticed I was in the infirmary. Percy must have reported that I had an accident. I tried to move my hand but the pain was really big. I looked at the bandaged hand. „Great" I thought. Just then I noticed a figure standing beside my bed, a light glowing from her. Her hair was dark and it was tied behind her back. She had beautiful, pale skin and was dressed in golden hunting armour.
„Lady Artemis." I said sitting up.
She looked down at me with disdain. I felt that she knew what happened between me and Percy during the battle.
„Thalia," she said „I am very disappointed with you. You have been one of my best hunters, a promising member of the group. But for what you have done… We keep only one promise here Thalia, to remain pure and free of men and love. It is all that we ask of."
„My lady, I don't know what happened. I reall don't… I want to still be in the hunt. I'm terribly sorry for what happened. I swear, it will never happen again, just give me on more chance. I beg you."
Artemis looked at me scornfully. I knew she thought that I was pathetic. It hurt me, the fact that I had broken the promise I made before all the huntresses, before the Goddess of the Hunt herself.
„I'm afraid I can't, Thalia. One chance is all you get. You blew it. Besides, I need not be Aphrodite to see that you still love that boy and what happened in the forest may have… reoccurances."
She turned around and was about to leave the infirmary before turning around and looking at me with pity.
„Goodbye, Thalia…" she whispered.
I felt like crap and burst out into tears. I laid down on the bed and covered myself with the blanket. I heard a thunder in the distance.
„Go away!" I yelled!
I started crying but I was so tired that I fell asleep. I wished I would never wake up…