It's been a while but I think I'm going to try this again.

Hope you enjoy!

Date: According to Chiron, it's the 24th of September

Argus insisted that I come downstairs. I had a feeling that I didn't have a choice, but at least he was nice about it. He at least left me alone to get ready. I just got finished taking a shower. They gave me a camp shirt and some clean jeans to wear. It's so weird. I've always wanted this. To be at this camp and wear this shirt. But it's all too much like a dream. I'm not sure I'm ready to believe it.

Argus is knocking on my door again. I've stalled long enough. Time to get this over with.

I made my way down the stairs with Argus behind me. Chiron was waiting in the corridor that lead to the front door. He looked slightly surprised that I'd actually come down.

"You should interact with the other campers." He said, frowning at me.

I shrugged. "Guess I've had too much of people talking behind my back." I said.

Chiron's frown deepened. I knew he was thinking that I was starting to remember more, but it was simply a feeling like just about everything I've assumed. "That shouldn't stop you. There are plenty of campers here to befriend."

I nodded, though I didn't feel very confident in it.

I walked with Chiron—who'd come out of his wheelchair. It was a bit strange, but amazing at the same time. I put the thought away to write down later.

The campers were just filing in as we came in. Almost all of them turned to look at me. I kept my head down, only looking up to make sure I wasn't about to run into anything or anyone. Sometimes, I really hate being social.

Once all of the campers were at their tables, Chiron officially introduced me.

"As many of you know, we have a visitor," he motioned to me, and I stood reluctantly, forcing myself to look around the room. I gave a small smile and tiny wave. "This is Liz. Please, treat her as you would any camper." I wasn't sure that was the best thing to say. Already, I could see some of the Ares kids raising their eyebrows at me.

Chiron made a toast to the gods, and the food was served. When everyone started their offerings, I looked at Chiron with a question in my eyes. "You probably should," Mr. D answered. I figured he just wanted some more offerings, but when Chiron nodded, I got up and followed the other campers.

I didn't really know what to say, so I just muttered. "To the gods," and retuned to my seat.

After breakfast, I watched at everyone started their activities. I didn't really know what to do. Mr. D and Chiron walked off, telling me that I could do what I pleased as long as I stayed out of trouble. I sat at the table by myself, thinking about what I could do. Frankly, I didn't want to wonder the camp like an idiot, but I couldn't think of anything better to do. I'd be no good at any of the activities, that much I was sure of.

"Hey Liz!" someone shouted as I got up from the table. I started and turned around.

Annabeth was walking towards me with Percy by her side. I didn't have to even guess. He had sea green eyes, black hair that fell into his eyes. As he got closer, I could practically smell the sea on him.

I forced myself from him to Annabeth. "Hi," I said. "Annabeth right?" like I need a reminder.

She nodded, seeming surprised that I remembered her name. "Right. This is my boyfriend, Percy Jackson." She motioned to him. I smiled politely, though shyly.

Percy smiled back. Oh my god his smile.

He's taken, he's taken, he's taken.

"Liz," Percy said in response to my smile.

"We were wondering if you wanted a tour?" Annabeth asked. "This place can get pretty confusing if you don't know where you're going."

"I'd love that," I said, the relief evident in my voice.

We started with the cabins. There were more than I ever imagined. Annabeth pointed out the twelve Olympians cabins. They were amazing. Better than I ever could have come up with in my head.

Annabeth must have noticed my lingering gaze on the books in her cabin, and she smiled. "A book lover?" she asked.

I smiled shyly, averting my eyes. "A bit. I prefer novels, though."

Annabeth shrugged. She leaned in close so Percy—who was a few feet away, talking with another camper—wouldn't hear. "We've got plenty of those," she promised. "We just don't put them on display for the sake of our reputation. Children of Athena, you know."

I stifled a laugh. "I get it." I said.

She smiled. "I'll bring some by before dinner, okay?"

"Thank you Annabeth, really," I said, feeling grateful to her. Books were my escape, and I wouldn't mind some of that right now.

"No problem." Annabeth smiled.

When we got to the strawberry fields, I thought I was going to pass out from the smell, it was so amazing.

"I don't think I've ever smelled anything so fresh!" I exclaimed.

"Then you've been missing out." a voice said from beside me.

Startled, I looked over and saw the boy who stared at me yesterday. There was a row of strawberries between us. I hadn't even noticed that he was there.

"Max," Annabeth said, coming up beside me. "What are you doing here? You never come to this side of camp."

"On contrar," Max said. "I thought it was high time I take a look at our famous strawberry fields. Besides, I'm a sucker for a good snack." he said with a slight smirk.

Annabeth rolled her eyes. "Aren't you supposed to be at archery?" she said.

"Aren't you?" Max shot back.

"I asked Malcom to take over for me for the day. I wanted to show Liz around."

Max rolled his eyes. "Whatever. We finished a little while ago, but Clarisse is wanting one of you," he nodded to her and Percy, who had wondered off again. He'd gone to talk to a satyr playing his pipes. "As a challenge. Preferably both of you."

Annabeth rolled her eyes. "Tell her I'm busy."

Max looked at me, then back at her. "Go on Annabeth. You know how she gets. I'll take over Liz here."

The thought of being alone with him made my stomach flip. Annabeth and Percy I could handle. I know them, in a way. This boy was a stranger.

Annabeth looked at me, asking if it'd be okay.

I cleared my throat. I didn't want to be complicated. Besides, I didn't really want Clarisse's thoughts on me. "Yea, that's fine. Go do what you need to," I said with what I hope was a reassuring smile.

Annabeth looked unsure, but she shrugged. "Alright. I'll see you later?" she phrased it as a question.

I smiled. "Course."

Annabeth squeezed my arm then ran to get Percy.

"She's a good counselor, though sometimes those two need to learn the term, 'get a room'." Max said.

I laughed, surprising myself.

"So she's your…half-sister?" I asked.

He nodded. "Max Racer, son of Athena at your service." He stuck out his hand over the strawberries.

"Liz," I responded, feeling a bit put out that my introduction was so boring compared to his.

"I know. The whole camp is talking about you," he said.

I frowned. "They are?" though hadn't I suspected that all along?

"Oh yea. It's not every day that a mortal girl gets plopped in the middle of camp," he said. He sounded like it was no big deal. But I wasn't so sure.

Seeing my troubled look, he was quick to cover his tracks. "I mean," He said quickly, "it's not a bad thing. Everyone's just curious."

I nodded, but I was buying it. Where there was one curious person, there was a suspicious one as well. Maybe I'm just being paranoid, but still.

I just sighed. "Can't blame them."

Max decided to change the subject then. "So where did Annabeth and Percy leave off on the tour?" he asked.

"Um," I cocked my head to the side, thinking. "The woods, I think."

He nodded and started walking. I had to jog to keep up with him. "So the thing about the woods," he said, "Is that there's monsters crawling in them. A mortal like you…well I wouldn't go in without someone armed with you."

"So a guard?" I asked. I didn't really like the idea, but at the same time, I didn't want to take any chances.

"You could say that. I don't think you'd have much need to go in there though," he said as we made our way toward it. He led me into a clearing where the canoe lake was.

"This is where I like to go to relax," Max said. "The naiads typically protect their area pretty well, so it's safe here." he assured me.

It was relaxing, I had to admit that. There was something about the wind in the trees and being near the water that relaxed me. I felt a familiar sensation of a memory trying to surface.

"So," Max started, breaking me out of my reverie. The memory was gone as quickly as it had come. "What's the story?"

I glanced over at him. "What do you mean?" I asked.

"About you. What's the story?"

"Oh," I struggled to find the right words. "I don't think I'm supposed to say. At least not until Chiron wants me to." I even sounded unsure to myself.

Max snorted. "It's your life isn't' it?" he asked.

I shrugged. "Well, I don't even understand what's going on. I don't think I want to tell anyone until I get my thoughts straightened out." I was babbling. I knew that I was babbling. I was starting to get the impression that I'm a babbler.

Max nodded, not seeming to notice, or care, my babble. "I can respect that. At least tell me about you." he said.

I bit my lip. "I'm afraid there's not much to tell. I don't remember a lot."

"Well, what do you remember?"

I studied him. Close up, I saw that he had gray eyes also, but they had speck of brown in them, making them look almost hazel. His hair was red, though the kind of red that almost looks blond. He was built, that's for sure. I could see muscles bulging from his biceps. He seemed pretty laid back, for a son of Athena, though I had no doubt that he could fight.

"What I remember…" my voice trailed off as I thought about it. What did I remember? I'd been asking myself this question since the moment I woke up, but the question was still a hard one to answer.

I thought for a long time, trying to figure out how to phrase it. "I remember little things," I started. "I remember what it's like to feel safe and content. I remember feeling certain things, but I don't know the memories attached to it." I chew my lip.

Max frowned. I could tell that the wheels in his head were turning. "That's weird." He said.

I nodded. "Look…I don't really want to talk about it. It just confuses me even more."

He nodded in understanding. "So, let me ask you something."

"You just did."

Max frowned, then grinned. "Alright, smartass."

I couldn't help but giggle. "Fine, what is it?" I asked.

"Why were you hiding yesterday?"

My smiled faded. I sighed. "That's what felt natural, I guess. I wasn't sure I was ready to face everyone staring at me and whispering behind my back."

"Trust me, it'll die down eventually," max didn't sound so sure.

I sighed, then decided to change the subject. "So what about you?"

He looked surprised. "What about me?" he asked.

I rolled my eyes. "I told you what I could about me. Now it's your turn."

He ran his hands through his hair, making it stick up in weird directions. "Uh, I don't know," he looked about as uncomfortable as I had felt. "There's too much that I'm trying to forget."

"Wanna trade places?" I asked in a light tone.

It took him a moment to figure out what I mean, but he grinned. "If I could, I would."

I let out a breathy laugh, though the conversation had gotten a bit more serious that I would have liked.

"Hey Racer!" someone called behind us. We turned to see a group of guys walking towards us. I recognized them as the boys he'd been walking with yesterday. "You comin' or what?"

Max bit his lip, then glanced at me.

His friend seemed to follow Max's gaze, and his eyebrows shot up. "This her?" he asked, walking closer to us, the other boys following. They all looked at me curiously.

I ignored the looks and smiled. "Hi, I'm Liz." I said.

The boy in front—the one who'd spoken first—smirked. "Yea, I know. The whole camp knows." He sounded eerily like Max had earlier.

My response was immediate. "Well that doesn't mean I don't have manners." My voice was clipped, surprising even me. My voice had also taken a slightly different accent.

The boys raised their eyebrows. "Country girl," one said.

I frowned, though I couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed. "Does it matter?" I asked.

"Well it does tell us a bit of where you're from," the other boy said. This one had a basketball tucked under his arm. Every now and then he'd toss it to the other side.

I hadn't thought about that.

Thankfully, Max cut in. "Is there a reason you're here?" he asked.

The boy in the front raised his eyebrows. "You don't remember? You promised us a rematch."

Max sighed. Obviously, he hadn't forgotten.

"Come on man," a boy said. "We need our captain."

Max rolled his eyes, then turned to me. "Would you mind…?"

"Go on," I said without hesitation. "Don't let me keep you."

Max nodded, but there was something in his eyes that caught me off guard.

"Alright, well see you around," he said, then he and his friends walked off.

I admit, it's not a work of art, but I hope you at least liked it!

If you have any ideas in what Liz should encounter in her alone time at Camp Half-Blood, I'm open to them!

Please review and thanks for reading.