AN: Hey lovely followers! Just wanted to let everyone know that I have a new website up about these stories, and I also have a twitter account so you can follow me, tweet me your thoughts about the new chapters, and so I can give you sneak peeks of upcoming stories or chapters! The website links should be up on my profile by now, if not they'll be up tomorrow! Read and Review! XOXO
I became closer to Percy and Thalia over the next few weeks. We spent almost every waking moment together, much to Dennis's distaste. Dennis thought that it was strange that the newcomers were always spouting random Greek mythology facts, but I loved it. I finally had someone who I could relate to and talk to about mythology.
"Hello, Miss. King, Mr. Jackson, Miss. Grace!" Professor Slughorn said one day before the winter holiday. "Say, Miss. King, I heard it was your birthday on Christmas Day, yes?"
I smiled at my favorite professor. "Yes, Professor. You heard correct."
"Well, I'm hosting a Slug Club party before the break comes around. Would you like to come?" His eyes sparkled at me as my face light up even more.
"It would be a pleasure, sir!" I said excitedly.
"Splendid! I will send you an invitation in the near future," he said before walking off with a smile. I turned to see Thalia and Percy grinning at me.
"There's a Hogsmeade visit this weekend. We have to go dress shopping, Thalia!" I exclaimed to her. She nodded and smiled at me. Percy looked nervous. "Chill, Perce, I'm not asking you to come," I laughed. He sighed in relief and we all laughed at him.
"Hey, Percy," a sweet girls voice said. I turned to see Annabeth standing there with her new boyfriend, Kylar. I never really liked Kylar. He was always too boastful and he picked on my friends a lot. "What are you guys doing?"
"Just talking about Lee and Thalia going dress shopping this weekend at the village," Percy said, looking at Kylar with intensity. Kylar though was staring at Thalia, looking her up and down. I glared daggers at him. Was he really checking out another girl right in front of his girlfriend?
"Mind if I join?" Annabeth suddenly asked. I looked away from Kylar, startled. She was staring right into my eyes and I nodded.
"Uh, sure. I don't mind. Thalia?"
"I think it would be fun! A girl's day out. Maybe Percy and Kylar could hang out while we're gone," Thalia said, looking between Annabeth and Kylar, who had started staring at me now. I stared straight back at him, and he grinned a wolfish grin.
I looked at Annabeth again and excuse myself. I walked away quickly, feeling everyone's eyes on my back. I was disturbed by Kylar's interest in me all of the sudden. Before now, he would rarely even look at, much less check me out. And with a girlfriend right there! I also had thoughts about why Annabeth, a smart girl like she is, dating some asshole like Kylar! So what is he's popular, and also in Ravenclaw?
"Oi! Leena!" A voice yelled behind me. I turned and my stomach flipped over. Travis Stoll, one of the new kids, was running down the staircase towards me. I swept my hair out of my face and took calming breathes. If anyone were to ask, I would've said that I was scared of Travis. Truth is, I was falling hard for the big goof. He was extremely good looking in my opinion, with dirty blonde hair that stuck up in odd angles and those blue eyes were always mischievous looking. He grinned a crooked grin at me and I nearly melted inside.
"Oh, Hey Travis," I said breathlessly. "What's up?"
"Iwaswonderingifyouwantedtogo withmeduringchristmas," he said extremely fast. I looked at him again, no idea what he just said.
"Pardon?" I asked politely. He blushed crimson and chuckled nervously.
"Er- I was just wondering if you wanted to come back to America with me- er us, I mean, for Christmas break," Travis mumbled. I stared at him in a dumbfounded expression on my face.
"What?" I stuttered. "Go back to America with you guys?"
"Uh, yeah. I wrote our camp director and he said that I… We could bring you back for the break. I mean, only if you want to," Travis said the last part kind of fast, looking panicked. I smiled at his nervousness.
"I would love to go with y'all, Travis," I quietly said. He looked up and grinned that cute crooked smile that I loved. Then, I did the stupidest thing I've ever done: I leaned up on my toes, and kissed me on the cheek. He froze and I panicked on the inside. What have I done? I quickly turned so he wouldn't see my flaming cheeks and started walking away.
"Hey, where you going?" I heard him ask, sounding hurt. I whipped around to see him following me. "Am I that ugly?"
I laughed along with him and he took my hand. My stomach was full of butterflies as I stared up into his deep blue eyes and smiled shyly. He grinned back, equally as shy.
"I really like you, Leena," he whispered, leaning closer to me until we were an inch apart. I closed the gap and smashed my lips against his. He was surprised by my eagerness, but kissed just as eagerly back. We stood there, kissing for what seemed like eternity until someone behind Travis cleared their throat. I pulled back and looked over his shoulder, and to my utter embarrassment, Percy, Annabeth, Kylar, Thalia, and Connor Stoll (yes, Travis's little brother) were staring at us with wide eyes and looks of amusement. I flushed and stepped away from Travis. He turned around and turned a deep shade of red to match mine.
"Well, this is not what I expected," Connor said awkwardly. The comment made me blush even deeper.
"I'll see you around, Travis," I mumbled, and walked off in the direction of the library. I heard some snickers and Travis talking to them angrily.
"I really like her guys! Why do you guys have to-," he started.
"Oh chill, Stoll," I heard Thalia interrupt. "We know how you feel about her…"
I was out of earshot by then, and a single tear ran down my cheek. I wiped it away hurriedly, not understanding why I was getting worked up over nothing. I finally kissed the guy I had a major crush on, and I'm crying.
Then it hit me. Like, literally.
"Woah there, Leena," Dennis laughed, balancing me as I threatened to topple. I grinned and looked up into his big blue gray eyes and it all came crashing down inside: I felt like I betrayed my Dennis. I knew he liked me, and he had been hinting that he wanted to get together after Christmas. And I just kissed another guy. Tears welled up in my eyes again. "Hey, did I hurt you or something?"
"No, I just need some…" Before I could finish, I burst into tears and ran the rest of the way to the library. I knew Dennis would be heartbroken if he found out about me and Travis. I had led my best friend on, then turned around and got together with a different guy.
Maybe he won't notice, I thought. Maybe I can have a secret relationship with Travis.
I shook my head. It would never work. Connor would've told anybody who knew Travis, and Thalia was bound to tell Laura. I sighed, knowing I had to tell him sooner than later.
Turns out, I didn't have to tell him. He already knew by the time I stepped into the common room after dinner.
"Why didn't you tell me?" He demanded softly as I sat next to him. My happiness from dinner instantly drained out of me. I gave him my best questioning look, with no luck at all. "Cut the bullshit, Leena. You know exactly what I'm talking about."
"I didn't have time to tell you. I haven't talked to all day," I stated lamely. He snorted and put down his Transfiguration book.
"Leena, Percy told me that you two hooked up before you went to the library. I saw you, I literally ran into you!" Dennis touched my arm and I looked up at him. "Why didn't you tell me? And no bullshit this time."
I gulped and held my gaze. "Den, I know you like me," I whispered," I've known for a long time now. I didn't want to hurt you even more."
He looked me straight into the eyes, and then laughed loudly. I stared at him, shocked. "Why- why are you laughing?"
"Because, Leena, I don't like you like that," he said, still chuckling.
"But…" I frowned. "You kept hinting that you wanted to get together after Christmas break."
He laughed again. Some people were staring at us, but I didn't care. I scrunched up my eyebrows. "Lenny-,"
"Don't call me that."
"Fine, Leena," he said teasingly. I couldn't help but smile slightly. "You're my best friend. I just wanted to spend more time with you before my OWLs come up."
I frowned. It seemed kind of logical. It made sense, too. "So, you're okay with me and Travis?"
"Of course, Leena," he said, smiling gently. I smiled back and knew this was going to be a good Christmas break and birthday.
