Life Now Saga: Love Is in the Air

Well, the iconic Percabeth, is not the only feel of romance in the air.

Our little Charlie Jackson was mentioned to have a girlfriend, Natasha. She is a daughter of Vulcan, which is the Roman god of Hephaestus. Living in Camp Jupiter, Charlie has learned a lot about Roman gods, but he and his family occasionally visit Camp Half Blood, so he knows, as his parents put it, his roots.

Anyway, the story of Charlie and Natasha is not anything extravagant, but they have come to form a very special bond, an unbreakable love.

Charlie and Natasha

In New Rome Middle School, Charlie was thirteen and in eighth grade. He was about 5'3'', had wavy blond hair, and had braces. He was still skilled in fighting, so he was pretty muscular. (Middle-school heartthrob.)

At the end of that school day, Charlie stayed after school for some extra credit assignment, like he always does. But today, he took the long way around the outside of the building to kill some time. He remembered passing some high school couple making out because he looked down at the guys shoes and thought I have a pair just like those.

Anyway,he walked backed into the Middle School down the hall, when, whoa.

He glances through the Workshop Department, and there she is. She is sawing a measuring and hammering and turning nothing into something right in front of his eyes. She didn't seem to notice him staring, yet. Her long, wavy, brown hair was tied in a ponytail and she wore a tool belt around her waist. Her eyes were so determined, so focused. You could see beads of sweat in her forehead as she worked, and the calluses on her hands were noticeable. But she looked like an angel to Charlie.

He had to say something. He thought, if not now, then when? So he opened the door. She still didn't look up. Her back was turned to him now, and she as writing down some measurements.

"You're late, Les," she said turning around and smiling. She looked up at Charlie, and he thought, Wow, she's even prettier with that smile.

"Oh," she said, now realizing that wasn't Les. "I'm sorry. I thought you were my boyfriend."

Charlie blinked a few times at the word boyfriend. He knew it sounded silly to be heartbroken, since he just met her, but alas, he was.

"I'm sorry," he said. "I just saw you here by yourself and—and wondered if maybe you need any help." He was lying and wanted to say, Gods, you are just so beautiful.

"Oh. Well, thank you but—״ she was cut off when someone, assumingly Les, came in. He had intense brown eyes with dirty blond hair. He had freckles all over his face and stood about three inches shorter than Charlie.

"Hey Natasha," the guy said and gave her a kiss on the cheek.

"Hey Les," she said smiling. Charlie just remained standing there, awkward, but in his mind, he was thinking about how beautiful a name Natasha was.

"Who's this?" Les asked.

"Oh, um . . ." Natasha hadn't gotten Charlie's name yet.

"Oh!" Charlie said. "I'm sorry. "I'm Charlie. I just saw . . . Natasha by herself and was . . . wondering if she needed any help."

"Well, how considerate, then. Well we're good here bro, but thanks anyway."

Charlie realized he wasn't wanted anymore, so he reluctantly started off to leave.

"Wait, Les, we could use an extra set of hands, Charlie, you can stay." Natasha smiled and handed him a pad of paper with some measurements. "Just write down the measurements I'm taking, please." He took the pad and set down his backpack.

Honestly, with Les in the room, Charlie felt awkward. He just met these people, and he wasn't eager to get to know the Natasha's boyfriend any better. But every time Les went on a coffee run, he felt happy to be with Natasha. They had the opportunity to talk and learn about each other. He had insisted on helping them for the week.

"So, by the looks of it I'm guessing you're dad is Hephaestus?" Charlie asked.

"Vulcan, actually," she responded, not looking up from hammering a nail.

"Oh. Yeah. I'm sorry. My parents are Greek so I sometimes get the gods confused."

Natasha looked up, now more interested in Charlie's back story. "If you have a Greek god for a parent, then why are you in Camp Jupiter?" Her question was asked with curiosity, not accusingly like most kids did when they found out he was Greek.

"Oh, um, it's kind of a long story," Charlie said, screwing in a screw to a length of wood.

She smiled and put her hammer down." I've got time."

So Charlie explained how his parents were part of the infamous Great Seven. He told her how his parents decided not to live in the mortal world for fear of monster attacks, and when Annabeth was pregnant with him, how much more dangerous an attack would be on them.

He told about his Uncle Frank and Aunts Hazel and Reyna and how they had invited his parents to come to New Rome a long time ago. He told her how he sometimes felt like a bit of an outsider because he didn't live in the camp like the others. He wasn't a demigod; he was a legacy. He told her how he sometimes wished he could be like the others, but then he remembers how great his parents are and that he is still technically a demigod. She listened intently and her eyes gleamed with curiosity. Turns out she has heard about the incredible Great Seven and the tales of Percy Jackson from some other campers. She became utterly fascinated with Charlie Jackson.

Les walked in with a coffee. "I'm back."

Natasha seemed to awaken from her trance of Charlie and said, "Could've gotten me one."

Les just smiled and set down is coffee.

That's when Charlie noticed something peculiar.

He glanced at the round and saw Les' shoes. He recalled three days ago when he remarked to himself that he has the same ones when passing by a guy making out with a high school girl . . .

Suddenly, Charlie felt a wave of anger. Everything clicked into place. The numerous times Les had stepped out for "coffee breaks," he was out making out with a girl form the New Rome High School! I guess he was scowling, because Natasha asked "Jackson? You okay?"

Charlie shook his head to clear his thoughts. "Yeah," he responded. He glared at Les who was now back to work as if nothing had happened. He wanted to punch this guy so bad, which wasn't really like him, but just three days hanging out with Natasha and he felt a need to protect her.

"I just realized I had to go." Charlie decided the best way to avoid injuring this guy was to leave. He reluctantly picked up his backpack, not wanting to leave Natasha, and left.

When Charlie got home, he threw down his backpack so hard and punched the wall. Paige came over from her room to check on him.

"Dude, what was that?" she asked, one ear bud in her ear and Riptide in her hand. She recently got the sword over the summer, and she never goes anywhere without it—not even across the hall to Charlie's room.

The thought made him smirk, a trait he got from his father. "Nothing," he answered. "I just think I'm gonna hit the arena for a couple hours."

"Cool, I'll tag along." Charlie loved it when his sister didn't press him with more questions about his anger. She was just happy to fight alongside her brother, and he felt the same way toward her.

They made it into the arena where Percy and their Uncle Jason were teaching a class."

"—thinks they can fight Jason?" Percy just finished asking. The sound of the doors alerted Paige and Charlie's presence and the kids along their dad and uncle turned. "Children!" Percy said and opened his arms for a hug, which Charlie gave but Paige refused, partly because there were kids here that were in seventh grade with her, partly because her dad was dripping with sweat.

"Charlie," Percy continued. "Think you'll be able to take down Jason?" Jason twirled his sword in his hand jokingly threatening. Jason's son, Tristan, named after Piper's father, smirked from behind his Uncle Jason and made joking punching motions into his hand. He and Charlie always goofed around like that, "My dad can beat up your dad!" "Well, I can beat you up!" They were the same age, Tristan a couple months older, and they really got along great.

Charlie just smiled and shook his head. "I guess I can try," he said. The kids in the class applauded. Charlie grabbed his sword inside his gym locker instead of using his trident and made his way to the center of the battle floor.

Paige sat with Percy and timed the match. Jason won after about ten minutes, but when Tristan got gutsy and went up against Percy, Tristan lost in almost five minutes. Soon the class dispersed and Jason and Tristan went home along with Paige. Charlie figured he can ask his dad for advice while helping him clean up.

"Nice job out there, Charlie. Next time we'll make sure Jason's face has a nice view of the floor." Percy looked up from mopping the mats to smile at Charlie. Gods, Charlie was really lucky to have parents like Percy and Annabeth.

"Dad, I actually could use your advice on something." That got Percy's attention. Usually Charlie was more of an adult than Percy, so whenever he needed advice on anything, Percy would be there.

"Tell me about it, Char," Percy said, sitting him down on a bench. Charlie then went on to explain his meeting with Natasha and how great of a girl she was and his speculations of her maybe cheating boyfriend, Les. Percy listened intently, his eyes away from his but his head nodding in understanding.

When Charlie finished, Percy looked at him and said, "We're gonna need another perspective."

Percy and Charlie walked back to Seven Square and knocked on the house across their own, painted a sky blue with the name Grace on the front.

Jason answered the door with a confused look on his face. "Dude, didn't I just say goodbye at the arena?" he asked. Charlie thought it was funny to hear his uncle use the word dude.

Percy laughed. "Actually, I am here to visit your lovely wife."

Jason let them in and called Piper. Charlie really didn't want his love life to be an involvement of the whole family, but he decided to just go with the flow.

Piper's kaleidoscope eyes caught them. "Percy, Charlie! Nice to see you guys." She hugged Charlie and offered them something to eat. Charlie declined but Percy, of course, accepted.

"Something blue?" she asked.

Percy's eyes got a little excited. "Sure, uh, yes please!"

Once Percy finished eating, Charlie shot him a look like Maybe I should do this on my own. Percy got the message and talked to Jason outside.

"So, Aunt Piper, I have a bit of, um, girl trouble, I guess," Charlie felt a little shy about it.

"Well, you came to the right Aunt." She smiled and offered him a cookie. "What's the problem, kiddo?"

"Well . . ." he went on to explain the same story he told Percy of Natasha to his aunt. She listened intently and her eyes seemed to be mentally trying to find a solution to his problem as he told the story.

"Well, sweetie," she said when he concluded. "These situations are tricky. I know it's not fair, but this girl, Natasha, is most likely to dismiss it if you tell her you think her boyfriend is cheating on her." Charlie hung his head. "Char, I know it's a little complicated, but just because I'm a child of Aphrodite doesn't mean I'm the Love Whisperer! But, I think you should just let her find out for herself. Who knows, maybe she'll see him for who he really is."

Charlie was kind of disappointed. He really wanted to just tattle on Les and have Natasha run into his arms and call him her hero. But he knew Aunt Piper was right. "Thanks, Aunt Piper. I really appreciate the help. I hope it works."

And he thought it was going to work. For the rest of the week, Charlie helped out Natasha in the Workshop. Les was reportedly doing some "project" and couldn't join her for the remainder of the week. Charlie actually wanted Les here with them just so he would know he wasn't out there possibly cheating on Natasha. However, Charlie and Natasha grew much closer as friends. And they great stayed friends. Throughout the Whole. Eighth. Grade.

It wasn't until the weekend before the last week of school that Charlie found Natasha sitting in the bleachers above the War Games field. Her hair was down, and Charlie hadn't realized how long and wavy it was. The sun bounced of her brunette hair making shine. He walked closer to her, and he saw that she was crying.

"Nat!" Charlie yelled, running up the stairs, scared that something happened to her. When he finally reached her, her cheeks were red and puffy, and Charlie sat down next to her. He didn't look his best in his sweat pants and tee shirt wrapped around the back of his neck prior coming from swimming practice. His hair was still was wet and his forehead was sweaty from walking in the heat, but he had to make sure she was okay.

"Natasha, are you okay? What happened?"

Natasha gave him a bit a sideways smile. "I love that about you, Char. You care." She wiped a tear from her eye and sniffed. Charlie smiled at her.

"Hey, everything's okay, Nat. Just tell me what's wrong."

"Les—״ she started, but broke off into tears again. Charlie rubbed her back. "He, he cheated on me, Charlie. I caught him cheating on me!" She began to cry again.

Charlie felt a bit guilty no for not telling her his suspicions so long ago. "Nat. I have to tell you something." Natasha looked at him, waiting. "I had my suspicions about Les, but I didn't know if you would be believe me or not. I mean, you really liked him, and I had just met you and had no proof. I fell a bit guilty now, seeing you like this. I'm sorry." Surprisingly, Natasha reached over and hugged him.

"You're probably right, I wouldn't have believed you," she laughed through her tears. "But I'm glad you're here, now." She pulled her arms out from around Charlie's neck, and he noticed her knuckles were bleeding and bruised.

"What happened to your knuckles?" he asked.

"I kind of, punched Les in the face." They both laughed. Charlie really, really wanted to kiss her, but he knew that would be inappropriate, considering her circumstances with Les. "C'mon," he said. "Let's go home."

Charlie and Natasha ended up hanging out at Charlie's house. He introduced her to Paige, and Percy and Annabeth. She stayed for dinner. They watched a movie. Charlie and Natasha weren't officially dating, but that day, she became part of the Jacksons.

That summer, Natasha and Charlie hung out a lot. Natasha seemed to get over Les pretty quickly (which made Charlie happy, but he didn't tell that to Natasha). Then, on June 23, Charlie and Natasha had just come back from a late night of sword fighting. They decided to relax on the roof of the arena, because it was such a cool night.

Charlie would point out constellations that Annabeth taught him. Natasha would look at the sky and have the same fascination in her eyes as she did when learning about Charlie Jackson.

"And there is Perseus," Charlie said. "My dad's mom, Sally, says that she named my dad Perseus because he seemed to be the luckiest demigod. I guess that worked out for him."

Natasha looks at Charlie. "You fascinate me, Charlie Jackson."

"And you fascinate me, Natasha Reynolds."

"You really do, Char." She looked away back at the stars. She never really had a way with words, but Charlie liked that about her. He felt like she could confide in him, and he felt honored.

"Can I ask you something, Charlie?" Natasha didn't take her eyes off the stars.

"Of course."

"Why won't you kiss me?"

Charlie was dumbfounded. "I don't know. I thought maybe you were still getting over Les and—״

She looked at him."I got over Les when I punched that kid in the face!" Natasha laughed. She looked back at the stars. Charlie looked back at the stars. "Follow up question."

"Shoot."

"Will you kiss me, Charlie?"

And the rest is history.