BTW: This takes place after TBOL. Rachel isn't the oracle and is just staying at camp for certain purposes. Silena, Zoë, Bianca, and Beckandorf are still alive. Read on…

Maybe…

Great. Just great. I got a month of kitchen duty for 'threatening a mortal for no reason at all' and now I'm cleaning all of the greasy plates that the campers eat their lunch on. Even worse? Percy is now avoiding me, and is hanging out with Rachel a lot more. WHY, FATES, WHY?

This stinks.

Well, might as well sing.

'Somewhere, over the rainbow,

Skies a blue…'

Nah. Too…rainbowish.

'If I were a booooooooooooooy,

I think I could understaaaaand,

How it feels to love a girl,

I swear I'd be a better maaaaaan!'

Nah…too weird. Suddenly it hit me:

'I will survive!

Oh, as long as I know how to love I know I'll stay alive.

I've got all my life to live,

I've got all my love to give, I'll survive!

I will survive!'

"HEY! SHUT UP!" One of the harpies screamed at me. Ugh, jerk. It's bad enough I have to work with these…monsters, but now I can't sing or try to enjoy it? Oh Hades take me now.

I scrubbed until my arms were like rubber. I somehow managed to make my legs work, and trudged into my cabin. I peeled off my shirt and threw on my pajamas. The last thing I remember was flopping into my warm, and comfy bed.

The next morning when I went down to breakfast, Mr. D made an announcement.

"Good morning, you brats. I have two very special announcements to make." He said holding up his glass of coke.

'Grrrrreeeeeeeaaaaaaaaat…'

"We have a new camp activity that we believe will help you when you are fighting monsters. The mortals play this game, so it should be quite easy."

A new game? I stole a quick glance at Percy. He was nodding approvingly not even noticing me staring at him. I slumped down and put my head next to my oatmeal. It suddenly didn't look very appetizing.

"Since there is a new game," He continued. "The Hunters have agreed to come and stay for a while."

My head shot up like a rocket. The Hunters? Does that mean…?

Before I could even finish the thought Thalia came running towards the pavilion with the Hunters, and Artemis following her grumbling about the last time they stayed here.

Conner raised his hand. "What's this new game you were talking about?"

Mr. D grinned. "Oh it is very amusing. It's called dodge ball. I'm sure you've heard of it."

We all looked at each other.

DODGE BALL?

O o O o O o O o O o O o O

Mr. D led us to the woods. How were we supposed to play dodge ball in the woods? I've never played it before, but I do know that you try and get everybody from the other team out by throwing balls at them.

Suddenly, I felt a hand on my shoulder, I turned to find Thalia standing there with a grin on her face. "This is gonna be fun."

'Uh oh.' Thalia only uses that face if she's got something planned. I now suggest that we head for the hills, because this game is gonna get messy.

We hiked a little more until Mr. D stopped us and turned around.

"Now listen up! This dodge ball game has a bit of a twist. We are playing capture the flag dodge ball!"

We glanced at each other. Thalia mouthed. 'What?'

I shrugged.

Mr. D sighed. "The goal of the game is to try and capture the other opponent's flag without getting hit by a ball OR attacked by monsters. The balls have been hidden in a basket of your team's color somewhere in these woods. You must find them before the other team does and follow this map to a…special place. The Blue team's is hidden in the South woods, and the Red team's basket is hidden in the North woods. Understand?"

We nodded understandingly.

"Alright. Athena, Hephaestus, Hermes, Hades, and Poseidon are on Red; Aphrodite, the Hunters, Ares, Demeter, and Apollo on Blue! GOT IT?"

Rachel raised her hand. "What about me?"

He sighed. "You will be on the Blue team. HAPPY?"

'YES, MR.D, YES I AM!'

We nodded again. He gave us the maps to the 'special place'.

He continued. "Good. Now, here are the rules:

-No maiming. (Understandable.)

-No killing. (Ummmmm…?)

-No making out. (What the…?)

-No cheating. (Reasonable.)

-If you catch a ball that is thrown at you the thrower is out. (Greeeeaaaaat.)

-No using the creek. (I heard Percy groan.)

-If you get hit while running with the flag, you have fifteen seconds to put it back. (Yay.)

-And most importantly…HAVE FUN! (Aww, Mr. D DOES care.)

-Oh, and watch out for the traps we've set up everywhere. NOW GO! " (THE WHAT?)

The Blue team raced to the South Woods, while we raced North. We found the basket with no problem at all (They hid it behind a giant rock…) so we figured we were ahead. The map led us to this big swirly, and conveniently yellow, path.

So I did the natural thing and started humming 'Follow the Yellow Brick Road.'

I was so lost in my humming that I didn't notice Percy fall in step with me.

"Hey." He muttered.

I glanced at him. "Uhh…hey."

We walked a little more in silence.

"Nice weather we're having." He muttered.

"Nice conversation starter." I teased back. For a second he looked nervous as if I were mad at him or something, but when he saw my smile he grinned as well. For some reason it made me feel all tingly. Stupid hormones.

"Well, it worked didn't it?"

I giggled. Whoa! Hold up! Time out! Annabeth Chase does NOT and I repeat NOT giggle. WHAT IS HAPPENING TO ME? This son of Poseidon is turning me into a softie!

He stopped walking. "Annabeth?"

I turned. "Yeah?"

"Look, I'm sorry about what happened with Rachel." He just HAD to bring that up. "Rachel told me to ignore you, or she'd break up with me."

That one got me angry. Please excuse me while I say mean things about Rachel in my head.

'WHY DIDN'T HE JUST DUMP HER? A GOOD GIRLFRIEND DOESN'T MAKE HER BOYFRIEND AVOID HIS BEST FRIEND LIKE THAT UNLESS SHE HAS MENTAL ISSUES, WHICH RACHEL PROBABLY DOES! I MEAN, WHO DOES THAT? SERIOUSLY, THAT IS JUST MEAN! HOW CAN PERCY LIKE THAT…THAT…THAT TODUM POLE? ARRRRRRRGGGHHH! I HOPE SHE DIES LONELY!'

Okay now that I've calmed myself… "So you're saying that you'd rather ignore me than break up with Rachel?" Okay maybe I didn't exactly CALM myself…

He frowned. "No. I just don't want her to break up with me." Seaweed Brain…

"And you'd be okay ignoring me?" I snapped.

He crossed his arms. "At least I came and talked to you. I could've ignored you, but I didn't."

"You shouldn't have to ignore me! Rachel is just jealous."

"Rachel? Jealous? Of you? Trust me Rachel isn't like that."

"You wish!"

"Do you have something against her?"

"No, I just don't think she's right for you!"

"So you know who and who isn't right for me?"

"Anybody is better than that spoiled brat!"

That is when we started yelling. I was sure someone would come and tell us to shut up, but no one came. We did, however, manage to scare the crows away.

"SHE IS NOT SPOILED!"

"SHE HAS HER OWN HELICOPTER!"

"IT'S NOT LIKE SHE DRIVES IT AROUND OR SHOWS IT OFF! ANNABETH, SHE HATES BEING RICH! MAYBE IF YOU GOT TO KNOW HER BETTER-"

I cut him off right there. "THAT'S JUST IT PERCY! I DON'T WANT TO GET TO KNOW HER BETTER! SHE IS MEAN TO ME, AND THAT IS ALL THE EVIDENCE I NEED!"

We were toe-to-toe and face-to-face. We just stared at each other breathing hard. Finally, a voice broke the silence.

"I TOLD YOU KIDS NO MAKING OUT!" It was obviously Mr.D.

THWHACK!

I turned. In the tree me and Percy were standing behind was a spear. Mr. D was throwing weapons at us.

Percy grabbed my wrist and ran me out of there. We sprinted like there was no tomorrow. Finally, we figured we lost him, and collapsed on the ground breathing hard.

"We should try and find the rest of the team." I stated.

He hesitated then nodded.

We walked for what seemed hours. Since we didn't have the map, it was twice as hard finding our way.

I tried to figure out where we were by looking at our surroundings, but ended up tripping over a rock and falling smack into Percy. Of coarse Percy never saw it coming and ended up falling as well.

So there we were in the middle of the forest tangled up in leaves and twigs, with me on top of Percy, and our faces inches apart. Just wait, it gets better.

All of a sudden, I heard a snap, and WHOOSH!

Percy and I were now caught in a net hanging from a sturdy tree.

For those of you who have never been caught in a net, let me be the first to tell you it is NOT fun. Especially with another person. First of all, there is no place to actually stand, and if you try you end up flopping all over the other person. I actually felt bad for Percy because I was sprawled out on top of him.

Suddenly, I panicked.

What if someone were to walk by and see me and Percy hanging in a tree? They would laugh and take pictures and send them to all of their friends, and—OH MY GOSH I GOTTA GET OUTTA HERE! During my panic attack, I didn't realize you can't stand in a net so I kept trying and trying until Percy finally shouted, "Annabeth it's not possible!"

I flopped down, accidentally landing on his chest, and laid there a couple seconds. I could feel the blush rising to my cheeks.

Surprisingly, I felt…safe. Like nothing could ever go wrong. I glanced up at Percy. He was staring out at the dusty trail, longing to be back on the ground.

I noticed every detail on his face. The way his jet-black hair was so messy that you wanted to run your hands through it and fix it. The way his green eyes, like shiny emerald orbs, always seemed so calming. I even noticed his lips seemed soft…kind of like a cookie. His cheeks were a rosy red, probably from me being on top of him, that made him look cute. Even—

"Well, this is awkward." Percy managed. Well…that certainly killed the moment. Wait…did I just think that he was…CUTE? OH MY GODS ANNABETH! GET A HOLD OF YOURSELF!

MATH EQUATIONS!

4x- 2y = 18

x = 6

y= 3

Okay…I'm better now.

"No kidding." I muttered.

"Who do you think did this?" He asked.

I shook my head. I honestly had no clue. I could hear Percy's heart beat which soothed me a little. Then it hit me.

"Mr. D! He told us to watch out for traps. I guess this must be one of them."

Percy groaned. Then brightened. I swear it was like a change in personality. "Annabeth, do you have your knife?"

I understood instantly. The problem was, I couldn't reach my knife. It was in my right pocket, which was out of my reach since I was laying on my right arm. The only other person who could've possibly gotten it was Percy but there is no way I was gonna ask him to get something out of my pocket. No way in Hades.

"Percy I need you to…um…" I stuttered hopelessly.

"Need me to what?" Oh, I just about died right there.

"I need you to reach into my pocket and get my knife." I muttered. He blushed crimson.

"Oh…uh…okay." Hesitantly he reached into my pocket and grabbed my knife. It was weird, but not as weird as I had thought.

Once he handed me his knife I cut like there was no tomorrow. Minutes later, Percy and I fell flat on the ground with a loud oomph!

"Come on, Percy!" I said as I dragged him to his feet.

O o O o O o O o O o O o O

We followed the yellow trail for a good thirty minutes. Percy and I were strolling side-by-side trying not to look at each other. Things between me and Percy were awkward. Really, really awkward.

Aphrodite must find it very amusing to make things even more awkward for me, because every once in a while our hands would get tangled up together. The first time was embarrassing, but SIX TIMES IN A ROW? It started to get a little old.

Percy being the kelp-for-brain person he is decided to try and start a conversation.

"The clouds look puffy."

I stared at him. "Puffy?"

"Yeah. They kind of poof out, you know?"

"Poof?"

"Poof."

"…I guess they ARE kind of poofy…"

"You guess?"

"Well, they look more fluffy than poofy."

"They're poofy."

"Fluffy."

"Poofy."

"Fluffy!"

"Poofy!"

"FLUFFY!"

"POOFY!"

"FLUFFY!"

"POOFY!"

Suddenly, a tree nymph came bursting out of her tree. "ALRIGHT WE GET IT! CLOUDS ARE POOFY AND FLUFFY! NOW SHUT UP BEFORE I SMACK YOU IN THE HEAD WITH ONE OF MY BRANCHES! AND, YEAH, TREE NYMPHS CAN DO THAT IF THEY WANT TO!" And with that she melted back into her tree.

Our hands tangled again.

"Sorry." We said in unison.

After a few more minutes of walking in utter silence, I sighed and plopped down on a tree stump. Percy on the other hand stopped walking, stood there for a second, and then fell face-first into the grass.

"Peeeeerrrrccccyy." I groaned. "What are you doing?"

"Planking." Was his muffled answer.

"…Why?" I asked him.

"Because it is AWESOME!"

Well, might as well trick him, again…I'm so nice aren't I?

"Percy…you do realize there are ants where your mouth is."

He shot up like a rocket, and started running around like an idiot. "ANTS! GET 'EM OFF! GET 'EM OFF! AAAAAAH!"

I nearly fell over laughing. It took him a minute to realize I was joking, but when he did…

"ANNABETH!"

"Yes, my dear, sweet Percy?"

He sprinted towards me. Okay, having a teenage boy, who is twice as big as you, owns a sword, and looks like he is about to murder some one, is a whole lot scarier than you think. So what did Annabeth-the-great do in this situation, you ask?

SHE RAN LIKE THERE WAS NO TOMORROW! THAT'S WHAT!

The wind whipped my hair. I was NOT going to let Percy catch up to me.

He was so far behind, that I whirled around, jogging backwards, and screamed: "AWWW, IS WITTLE PERCY JACKSON TOO SLOW TO CATCH UP TO A GIRL! THAT'S JUST A GOSH DARN SHAME!"

Wrong thing to say. He sped up, and was ten feet away.

I decided to motivate myself. 'I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.'

Percy was gaining on me. So, my motivational self got a little frantic…

'I THINK I CAN, I THINK I CAN, I THINK I CAN, I-'

Percy grabbed my wrist. DANG IT! He hauled me to a stop. Well, tried to, anyways. I was not expecting the extra weight, so I stopped. Percy crashed into me and sent us spiraling to the ground.

"Ouch." Was all I could manage. Percy hopped up, and held out his hand. I gladly took it and stood up. Not even a second later, Percy poked me in the rib. Naturally, I jerked away from him.

"What was that for?" I asked.

"For LIEING to me!" He said mock-hurt.

I rolled my eyes and turned around. Standing in front of me was a huge, golden, pyramid looking thing. I could hear an audience cheering so loudly I had to take a couple steps back.

"Uh…Percy?"

He was staring at the thing with his mouth hanging open. "Yeah?"

"I think this is the 'special place Mr. D was talking about."

"Do you really think this is it?" He asked me.

I took a deep breath. "Only one way to find out."

We stepped inside.

Maybe…maybe this was a bad idea…

O o O o O o O o O o O o O o O

YAY! ANOTHER CHAPPY! Thanks for all of the reviews guys! LUV YOU!

Rain ~*