A/N: Caution! There's a minor character spoiler for The Lost Hero in here.

Dedicated to Orochi-Ne and Lieutenant of Artemis, the only two people out of 51 hits and 37 visitors to my one-shot Stand By Me who actually bothered to review. Thanks a million times to the two of you!

Once Upon a Time

[A One-Shot]

: Once upon a time I was quite naïve :

I was desperate for someone to love and for someone to love me. Yet no one stood out to me. They were all lame, annoying, or just plain ugly. I have high standards, you know.

That all changed when you came into my life, though.

You were brave, strong, and most importantly, incredibly good-looking.

You walked around camp, greeting everyone with that gorgeous smile of yours, helping the newbies learn the ropes. You were their leader.

And the first time I set my eyes on you, I knew I had found the one.

It's a shame how you couldn't say the same.

: Once upon a time I wanted you to notice me :

If only you knew how much I wished—I longed—for your attention.

What didn't I have? I was beautiful, sweet, fashionable.

So why didn't you see me?

And, more importantly, why were you so obsessed with staring at that pine tree right on the border between fantasy and reality? Why did you look at it with pain and sadness?

What did it mean to you? It's just a piece of stupid nature.

All too soon I learned the truth. Her name was Thalia Grace.

Don't you know how fast rumors spread?

: Once upon a time I wished you were mine :

But that's all over. Now you are dead. You sacrificed yourself. You started as a hero and ended as a hero. You showed your final act of kindness.

But, in the midst of all the good things you did, there is one thing that is a hard pill to swallow.

You are no one's.

It pains me to say that. But it is reality. And there's no way to escape it.

And day by day the harsh reality slowly kills my heart.

: Once upon a time I was actually nice :

I was the happy girl who always followed the rules. I adored the younger campers. I acted as a mentor to them, even though I wasn't even head of my cabin.

Can you see me now?

Now I am cruel and ruthless. Now I am a dictator.

Sound familiar? It should, as you were once all these things.

You turned me into what you were. I wanted you to realize just how special I could've been to you. I could've been more important than Pine Tree Girl. Wondering why I did all this? Why, isn't it obvious now?

Because it sure is to me.

: Once upon a time I loved you :

And no matter how much I want to deny it, I still do.

A/N: Can you guess what my newest crack!ship is?

No? You ready?

Drew and Luke. Druke. :D

Didn't I just blow your mind away? XD

Isn't it just disgusting? 8D

So, anyways, in this story Drew was once nice. But because Luke never noticed her, she tried to become who he was—mean, cruel, etc—so he would love her.

Please point out any mistakes you find. :) Your effort is much appreciated!

Thanks for reading! Remember, reviews are loved!

-Just Haven't Met You Yet

P.S. Did you catch the implied Thalia/Luke?