Chapter 1: A Huntress' Duty

Phoebe's POV

So unfortunately, all of us Huntresses have to stay here at Camp Half-Blood. Damn that stupid Dr. Thorn. This sucks, because even back when we were nice to the campers, they were still mean and played pranks on us. After a while, we just got in the habit of being mean to them, even the girls. Only some of the girls are even tolerable.

"So why aren't Annabeth and Clarisse Hunters?" I asked.

"Because according to most people, Annabeth's in love with Percy Jackson, and Clarisse has feelings for some kid named Chris Rodriguez." Zoë rolled her eyes.

I don't think she particularly hates men, but she doesn't trust them either. She's somewhere in between with those thoughts.

"Isn't Percy Jackson the kid who stole Zeus' master bolt back from Hades, and got accused of being the lightning thief?" I questioned.

"Yes, and Annabeth and a satyr named Grover were on the quest with him and helped him." Zoë answered as she made her bed.

We're in Artemis' cabin. I guess I can see why Annabeth would like Percy, but he probably has a huge ego thanks to his successful quest. Most heroes end up that way. Like Hercules, but Zoë wouldn't like it if I brought his name up. A horn is sounded, and it's time for dinner. Zoë and I walk to dinner together, talking about how Lady Artemis is fairing. Then I see him. He's tall, has brown hair, blue eyes, and a mischievous smile. He also happes to be stealing some girls food. I can't seem to look away, and my heart is beating faster than usual. What's happening to me?

"Damn it Connor! Give back my pizza!" The girl yells at him.

So the blue-eyed wonder's name is Connor. Did I just subconsciously refer to him as the blue-eyed wonder?

"Why don't you make more appear on your plate Katie?" Connor teased.

"Because you wouldn't learn your lesson about stealing!" Katie exclaimed.

"I wouldn't learn my lesson anyway, son of Hermes, remember?" Connor teased further.

And he's a son of Hermes. Seems fitting considering he stole my heart. Wait, why am I taking mental notes? And why would I think that other thing?!

"Just give back her pizza Connor." A slightly talker version of Connor said.

"Your such a buzz-kill Travis." Connor smirked.

Why does Connor's smirk look so adorable? Travis rolled his eyes.

"Hello, Earth to Phoebe?" Zoë waved her hand in front of my face.

"Huh?" I was confused.

"I've been trying to get your attention for about five minutes. Are you planning something to punish that boy for stealing the girl's pizza?" Zoë questioned.

"Sure." I answered.

Zoë gave me a funny look.

"Attention Campers and Huntresses! I'd like to make a few announcements!" Chiron called us to attention.

I was too busy staring at Connor though. I didn't hear a word Chiron said.

"Phoebe?" Zoë snapped her fingers.

"What?" I asked.

"Will you stand guard against the Stolls during capture the flag?" Zoë asked.

"Who?" I was curious.

"The set of twins. One of them stole that girl's puzza, remember?" Zoë reminded me.

His last name is very fitting fir his personality. I nod yes. Then I eat what's on my plate. Later, during capture tge flag, things got competitive. I was guarding near Zeus' fist when the Stolls showed up. They looked at me quizically, then slowly started moving forward. I decided to have a little fun (and a distraction from Connor), and jumped into the tree above me. Now I'm hidden from them, and they might think I left. They keep going at an average pace, and when they pass the tree, I shoot ten arrows in their helmets, like Zoë told me too. They stared up in shock, but they couldn't see me. Then I told a deer to steer them away from their goal. After the game ended, we all watched Percy and Thalia argue. Travis was shooting me dirty looks, but Connor looked more confused. After Zoë got her prophecy from the Oracle, we all went back to our respective cabins.

"Stupid Hunter. Could have won..." Travis started mumbling.

"Why did you shoot our helmets with arrows?" Connor suddenly came up and asked me.

He didn't seem mad, he just seemed curious.

"Zoë asked me to, so it was my duty as a Huntress." I answered.

The other Huntresses stared at me funny, because I usually don't even talk to men, let alone try to explain things to them.

"Stupid beefcake." Travis said under his breath.

I couldn't take it anymore, I ran off into the woods. I looked back once, and the Huntresses were shooting arrows at Travis, while Connor threw up his hands in surrender because he didn't do anything, and they left him alone. As soon as I got to Zeus' fist, I sat there and cried. I hate it when people make fun of my weight. Back where I came from, it meant you were well fed, not over indulgent. I suddenly looked up and noticed that girl Thalia.

"Are you okay?" Thalia asked.

"He called me a damned beefcake." I sobbed.

"He who?" Thalia was curious.

"Travis Stoll." I answered.

"Someone should beat those two to a pulp." Thalia sighed.

"It wasn't Connor, it was Travis. Connor didn't even do anything." I explained.

Thalia gave me a funny look. Probably because I just defended a man.

"Then someone should beat Travis to a pulp." Thalia compromised.

"I think the Hunters are already on it." I laughed a little.

"Wouldn't doubt it, they'd look for any excuse to beat a guy, and they protect their own. Usually." Thalia agreed.

Then the oddest thing happened. Connor came from the same part of the woods I came from. He walked up to me, and Thalia's eyebrow arched in confusion.

"Travis is kind of a sore loser. Sorry he was so rude to you. I don't think you look that big." Connor apologized.

Thalia's jaw dropped, but she shut it quickly. Did a man just apologize for his brother?

"Thanks..." I said.

He offered his hand out, and I took it. He helped me up, and it looked difficult, probably because of my weight.

"See you back at Camp?" Connor asked.

"Sure..." I answered.

Connor reluctantly left, and Thalia's mouth was agape again.

"He's never that nice to anybody, and from what I remember, you never accept help from guys." Thalia said and closed her mouth again.

"I know... I... I just..." I stuttered.

"You like him? I think he likes you too." Thalia smiled.

"P-please don't t-tell anyone." I stuttered out.

"It's okay, I wouldn't rat you out, you're one of the nicer Huntresses. Besides, even Artemis loved someone once." Thalia grinned.

"Orion?" I giggled.

"No, Perseus. The original one. I know some things I probably shouldn't about my godly siblings." Thalia stated.

I guess that makes sense, considering her closeness to Perseus.

"Come back to Camp with me?" I asked.

"Sure." Thalia agreed.

So we walked back to Camp.