I am steering the ship; I have been steering for hours and my hands are getting numb. I'm thinking of Hazel, how she kissed me on my cheek when she brought me into her memory. I grin; a girl has never done anything like that to me. Hazel is great, she's different from every other girl I have ever met (of course, none of them actually talk to me, because of my looks).
I don't want to do anything stupid that might drive her away; Hazel is the best thing that has happened to me since... ever. I have a tough life. Sad but true. My mom was killed by Gaea; my nanny tried to bake me; Jason forgot about me because of Piper. Now, I like Piper and all, she's a good friend, but she kind of tries to drive me out of Jason's life. The list goes on forever, but I hope I can keep one bit of happiness, and that happiness is Hazel.
Gods, I wish Frank wasn't around. He is probably going to kill me if I even say Hazel's name.
Oh, here she is right now, look sharp Leo. Ah, what am I saying? I'm me; I don't look good even if I try.
She's crying. She comes over and sits, and then leans over – I start, thinking she's going to fall – but she just leans her head on my leg. She's crying so hard it sounds like she's in pain.
"Are you okay?" I ask looking down at her.
"I don't know what to do, I feel so stupid, and no one will actually listen to me. Piper is too caught up trying to get somewhere in her relationship with Jason, Annabeth and Percy are too stressed, Jason doesn't even know me very well, and this would be a big step out of Frank's comfort zone." Hazel says. Oh no, she is really sad! What am I going to do? What am I going to say?
"Ah...wanna talk about it?" I ask. Oh gods, that was stupid, I am really bad at talking to girls. Gods!
"If you don't want to, I guess I'm fine," she says, wiping tears from her face.
"I'm fine, spit it out gold girl," I say. Spit it out? Gold girl? Gah, no wonder people don't listen to me.
Hazel smiles at me slightly. Whoa, did I do something right?
"Okay flame guy; I miss Sammy. I really like Frank but he isn't like Sammy or like..." Hazel cuts herself off before she can say something. I smile.
"Or like who?" I ask. My heart skips a beat. Is it... possible? Could she really like me too?
She looks at me, her eyes shining, her hair flying behind her as we fly over a valley. She pauses for a moment, then says, "I think you already know the answer."
"Hazel, I don't know who Sammy is, but if you want, I can be him for you," I say, hopeing it was the right thing. Tears fall from her cheeks and she puts her head in her arms and cries. Gosh! Why am I so stupid?
"Oh please don't cry, I don't know how to deal with that," I say. How am I supposed to help her? What can I do?
She wipes the tears from her eyes and looks at me; our eyes lock together for a moment and she says, "Sorry Leo, I'm just remembering something."
"Don't be sorry, you are going through a tough time." I say. Is that the right thing? I hope so.
I look out at the sky and I have the best idea yet!
I stop steering and take her hand and pull her up. The sun is setting and I think this will make her happy. Girls like sunsets, don't they?
"I didn't want you to miss the sun going down; it's almost as beautiful as..." I cut myself off and cough. She is beautiful, but I don't want to go too far. I know that she loves Frank. Gods I hate him!
She grins, "Almost as beautiful as what?"
I look at her and whisper, "I think you already know the answer." Oh gods, I've gone too far.
She laughs sweetly. "Thank you Leo, you really are a good guy."
"Well, I don't know about that," I say smiling lightly. Is she flirting with me? Holly Hera, I need to stop thinking about that, she was crying a few seconds ago!
"Then you're the only one." she whispers. Yes! I think she likes me!
Hazel looks at the sky and gasps.
I knew she'd like this!
"Oh." she says quietly, looking at the sky in awe.
She looks cold, and I realize that she's shivering. I put my arm around her.
"I don't want you to get sick," I say.
"Thank you Leo." she says.
"You're welcome, gold girl."
We stand there with my arm around her until the sunset is gone. I look into her eyes again and say, "I know one goat who I don't want to get into trouble with." Coach Hedge will kill us if we don't leave. I don't want Hazel to go, but I don't want to get her in trouble either.
"Okay...I guess I'll see you later flame boy." she says, wiggling out from under my arm. My heart beats fast. She walks down the stairs and closes her cabin door behind her.
I forgot something, I know I did. I need to go back and talk to her! Now!
"Festes, stop the ship for a second, I'll be back." I say. The Dragon nods his head and I plunge down the stairs and knock on her door.
"Hazel, may I come in?" I ask, after a few seconds of no answer. She must've thought I was Hedge or Frank.
Hazel opens her door.
"I almost forgot something," I say leaning in, pushing my lips together, and kiss her. When we break away, I wrap my arms around her and we stand there for a long time. I wish I could stay here with her, forever, but it's late, and I see that she is almost falling asleep, so I let go. She stands there, and just as I am about to leave I whisper, "I love you, gold girl." And right now I realized that I really, really, really do love her. I have been holding it in for weeks, ever since I saw her face, the only face that caught my eye when we landed the ship in new Rome; I needed to tell her that I love her.
I am madly in love with Hazel Levesque.
"I love you, too." Hazel says. I grin and leave. Once I'm on deck, I jump into the air and kick some rope over. I do a couple victory laps around the ship, and then go back to steering.
I pull out a wire from my pocket and make the shape of a diamond. I put it in my tool belt. Now, whenever Hazel and I are separated, I will always have a bit of her with me.
My heart pounds and I realize how dangerous this quest will be. I will keep Hazel safe through every thing.
I am going to spend every possible second I can with Hazel Levesque! No one can stop me, no one!
AN. Yo, what do you think? I love these to together! They are my second favorite couple! Please, please, please (on my knees begging), please review!
Coffee.
