A/N: I'm back!

Disclaimer: I own Akela, no one else. Hermes child awesomeness owns Jasmine Chase.

I was woken up earlier than should be allowed by the sun shining brightly through my cabin window. I remembered what had happened the previous day and smiled. I wasn't the only demi-titan! I felt like jumping up and dancing, but I didn't want to act idiotic, so I dressed quickly and slipped out of my cabin. I headed towards the woods, hoping to find Nico there.

Sure enough, I ran into him. "Hey" I said.

"Hi" he replied, smiling. He kept walking.

"Where're you going?"

"My dad called me. He needs some help finding an escaped spirit. I'll probably be back by evening."

I nodded, "Okay, see you later."

He smiled again. Before I knew what was happening, he hugged me briefly but tightly, then pulled back and backed into the shadow of a tree and disappeared.

I stood still, not believing what had just happened. Nico hated being touched, yet he had hugged me. Was it just a friendly hug, or more? Probably a friendly hug, I told myself firmly.

I was lost in my thoughts as I continued walking with some vague idea of going to the tree where I sat earlier. I didn't notice where I was going until I tripped over a tree root.

Ouch.

As I fell, I realized that the tree root wasn't a tree root, but the leg of a person.

As I landed face down on the ground, then rolled around, I realized that person was Justin.

"Hey!" I said.

"Hey, oh, sorry for tripping you."

"No problem, it was my fault really. I was thinking about stuff."

"The meeting with the gods?"

"Not really. Other stuff."

"So why're you here?"

"Just woke up and decided to take a walk. What about you?"

"Couldn't sleep. The Hermes cabin was too crowded. I snuck out in the middle of the night."

"Oh" My conversation skills were amazing (note the sarcasm)

"Listen, I'm really sorry about what I said about you and Nico at the meeting yesterday. Especially Nico. I should've realized, with Percy being there and stuff."

I shrugged, "It's fine, it was a joke. I'm sure Nico realized that you didn't mean to say that loudly."

Justin smiled gratefully, then asked, "Where is Nico?"

"He had to go and help his dad capture an escaped spirit. He said he'll be back by evening."

"Hmmm. Akela, tell me really. Nico and you seem pretty close. If you guys really aren't together, then you should be. Nico really cares about you."

I turned red. "He likes Percy, Justin. Not me. We're just friends."

"Sure you don't like him?"

I sat down next to Justin, leaning on the tree. As I looked at him, I realized his eyes were now green. I felt like I could trust him.

"I do like Nico a bit. Well, maybe a lot. He's kind and caring and cute. But he'll never like me back. And plus, what's the point? I'm probably going to die by the end of tomorrow, and you too."

He sighed. "I'm trying not to think about it. But trust me, it'll work out with Nico. He is kinda creepy and untrusting and loner-ish, but even though I know him for just half a day, I can tell that he's a good guy. He cares about you."

I grinned, then nudged him, "What about you? Have you ever had a girlfriend?"

"Nope. I've had a crush on many girls, but the moment I realize that she won't feel the same way, I give up and move on."

"You'll find someone soon. You're cool and friendly. And you're really smart."

"Thanks."

"Hey Justin, can I ask you something?"

"Sure."

"Why do always wear long sleeves? Yesterday you were wearing a long sleeved t-shirt, and today you've got a jacket. I mean, the weather is really hot, so wearing long sleeves is really weird."

"Um… I just… I…"

"Justin come on. What are you hiding?"

He looked up at me, his eyes turning even darker green than before. Slowly, he pulled off his jacket. I gasped.

Crossing his arms were dozens of cuts, made methodically in rows, clearly self-inflicted.

"Justin… why?"

"Sometimes I just feel so helpless, so frustrated with my life. People bully me, I've never had a real friend before this. Cutting myself is the only thing that helps."

Anger burned through me.

"Don't ever do it again. If you have problems, then tell me, or Nico, or someone! Don't hurt yourself!"

He looked at me, surprised at my outburst. Tears were flowing down my face.

"I used to cut myself too, after bad days with my step-father. My twin sister found out. She forced me to stop."

Justin looked helpless, "I didn't have anybody, Akela! Who would I turn to?"

"Don't do it again, Justin, please? We're your friends now, both me and Nico. We can help you."

I was almost whispering now. "That's what friends are for."

(this is a line.)

I walked down the beach with Justin. Breakfast was just over and since neither of us felt like going for activities, Chiron gave us the day off.

The peace of the beach was shattered when the Hermes cabin walked by, chatting and laughing at the top of their voices. A trio of boys at the front of the group saw us and laughed. They stopped, and the entire cabin followed their lead. The trio walked over to us. The leader was a tall boy with blond hair and cold blue eyes. Tyler, I remembered. That's his name.

Tyler smiled at me. "Hey Akela, why are you on a date with this weakling. You could do much better. Come on, I'll take you somewhere fit for a girl like you."

He put his hand on my shoulder and snaked it round my neck, fingers twining into my hair. He tried to pull me closer, but I grabbed his arm and pushed him away in disgust.

"Never touch me like that, Tyler. I'm not on a date with Justin. I'm hanging out with him cause he's one of my best friends. Now piss off."

Tyler smirked and flicked a strand of hair out of my eyes, pulling back before I could react. "Alright. Only a freak like you would hang out with someone like him."

I opened my mouth to retort, but Justin was first. "She's not a freak, you bastard. And you're the one who's weak." His voice was soft, but full of anger. I looked at him and realized his eyes had turned grey.

Tyler backed off. "Okay, freaks, I'll leave you two to your date." With that he turned and left. The Hermes cabin campers all followed him, except one. A girl who was around my age, maybe a little younger, stayed back. She had blond hair and blue eyes. She was slightly tanned, and quite pretty.

"Sorry about Tyler. He's always like that. I wish he wasn't my brother."

Justin smiled, "Thanks."

"I'm Jasmine, Jasmine Chase."

"We're…" I started, but Jasmine interrupted.

"I know who you two are. Akela Nemisa and Justin Caviness. The whole camp's talking about you guys. You're the only demi-titans who exist at the moment."

"Um…thanks?"

Jasmine laughed. "Can I hang out with you two? I don't want to go back to my cabin mates. Um… unless you're on a date, in which case I'll just…"

I exploded. "No, we are not on a date! Why do people keep assuming that I'm dating someone?"

"Because you're gorgeous and cool. Everyone expects that you've already found your special someone."

I stared at her. Of all possible answers, that was the one I least expected.

A/N: I'm cutting off this chapter here, I don't want it too long. If I continue I won't be able to stop.

Review please!