A/N: This is my first fanfic, so please review to help give me suggestions and feedback. Also this is an OC x Artemis, okay? This isn't like most Artemis stories with Chaos and all that, and unlike most Artemis stories, I want the relationship to build up slowly. This story will take place after The Giant War, Percy broke up with Annabeth for a reason that will be told later, leaving Annabeth alone and desperate for someone to replace him.
I DO NOT OWN PERCY JACKSON, ONLY JAYDEN, MY OC. ALL OTHER RIGHTS GO TO RICK RIORDIAN
Chapter 1
Memories
Jayden stood up sweaty from running from the police. This has been a HECK of an 18th birthday, he thought. He was already wanted nationwide before, but TODAY, on his birthday, he got a broken heart, aching feet, and the police for a present. Once he was sure that the police had lost him and were far away, he started setting up camp. He took out his-oh wait-the STORE'S tent (he couldn't remember which store he stole this particular one from) and set it up, then cleared an area for the campfire. He felt somewhat bad for stealing it, but he couldn't risk going up to a cashier and being recognized. He looked through his backpack. He had his needed tools: a hatchet, matches, kindling and tinder, jerky, and a small cooler with dry ice and A&W. That was the most important part. He closed the bag, and took it inside his tent. He popped open a soda, and thought about how this all started...
Flashback: That morning
Jayden had just gotten back to Camp. He'd been away for six months doing tasks from Athena in order to gain her approval to marry Annabeth. They'd been dating for two years now and today he decided that he'd give her a present instead on his birthday. As Argus drove them closer to Half-Blood Hill, he pulled out the ring. It was made of platinum, with a diamond in the center that was shaped like an owl, and emerald ran along the band. He smiled but soon a chilling thought came to him. If we marry, I'll have to tell her who I am… He pushed the thought aside. It wouldn't matter. Instead he thought about the past six months. Athena had him survive in the desert, forest, and underground for two months at a time, giving assignments for him to do during each. In the desert he had to fight a two-headed snake man, in the forest he had to kill the Nemean lion, and underground he had to fight a 10-foot spider in pitch black. And for the first time in a long time, he had put on his hidden blade. He was shaken out of his thoughts by Argus, who had grunted to let him know they had arrived. He pulled off his hidden blades, as much as he hated to do so. Annabeth didn't like it when he wore them. Good luck, Argus's eyes said. "Thanks." Jayden told him, and got out of the van. As he walked to his cabin, number 37, was meant for unclaimed demigods, but because everyone BELIEVED he hadn't been claimed he used it as his own, because all the others had been claimed it was empty, everyone welcomed him back, although no one looked him in the eye. After he put his bag in his cabin, he walked over to Athena's cabin and knocked on the door. Malcom answered the door, "Oh, hi Jayden." "Hi Malcom," Jayden said, "Is Annabeth here?" He wouldn't meet his eyes, "Um, no, but she left this for you." He handed Jayden a letter, "Oh, ok thanks." He said, a bit disappointed. "We'll, uh, let you read it." The whole cabin left in a hurry but Jayden hardly noticed. He opened it and read it:
Dear Jayden,
I'm sorry but I'm breaking up. You just aren't around anymore and I'm worried you're cheating on me. Even if you aren't, I'm still breaking up because it seems like you just don't love me anymore.
Hopefully we still be friends or maybe get back together.
Annabeth
Jayden stared at the letter, the flipped it over and wrote a note on the back, tears welling up in his eyes,
Annabeth,
I'm sorry you feel that way, I don't love you any less than I did before. I was away doing some…tasks for your mom. But for old times' sake, I hope there are no hard feelings.
Jayden
He summoned an envelope, sealed the letter, and walked outside and handed it to Malcom. Then, he walked back to his cabin got all of his things, and left. And on his way out, he put his blades back on.
End Flashback
So that's the end! But I've been trying to look at this story's visitor and view history, and I am thoroughly confused. I can't quite figure out how long you guys want the chapters to be. It fluctuates. So far, it seems that the most popular chapters are those that are around 1000 words. But please review and let me know what you think!