A/N: Please review, it makes my day. So far only one person reviews. More reviews gets more updates, she said doubting the readers care.
Now for the story.
Ariadne's POV:
I woke up to Percy shaking me awake. I groaned and sat up, but slowly so he had time to move away from me. I stretched and checked my phone for the time.
"Oh gods, we only have 15 minutes to get ready! Why didn't you wake me sooner Percy?" I half tease half accused.
"You were too cute asleep, plus you were whispering some weird stuff," he surrendered.
I rolled my eyes and got up to get dressed. I made Percy look away so I could change. I put on my "I made you a cupcake but my monster ate it" shirt and my dark skinny jeans.
"Okay, you can look now," I told him.
He nodded in approval, and then I heard a knock at the door. I answered it, expecting Will, but it was Nico.
"Hey Nico. We are about to leave. What do you need?" I asked, letting him inside.
"I wanted to wish you luck, and give you this iPod. It's magic, so you don't have to buy any songs. You can just tell it what song to play, and it will play. Do you like it?" he asked, handing me an iPod the exact shade of his hair.
I nodded, and tried it out, playing "Total Eclipse of the Heart" and I probably should've chosen something different, because that song was so emotional for me. I took a deep breath when the song was over, and thanked Nico.
"We have to go now Nico, but thanks for the iPod. It's really awesome," I smiled.
He smiled, and I remembered what happened last night. I forced myself not to think about it, and went to go find Will so we could leave.
Percy's POV:
I was surprised that Nico gave Ariadne his iPod. It was really sweet. When Nico wasn't talking to the dead, or keeping to himself, he was a nice guy, and had a warm smile.
"That was nice of you Nico. I think she needed music. It's the one thing that keeps her going at the worst of times. I know it sounds like an Apollo camper, but I have heard her sing when she gets into a song. She is going to really enjoy that iPod," I said, not really knowing what else to say.
He blushed, and left the cabin. I stood there, waiting for Ariadne and Will to get back so we could leave. An angry looking Will walked in, followed by a shaken up Ariadne.
"What's wrong?" I asked, feeling too clueless.
"I went and got Will so we could leave, and he saw my iPod, and started yelling. I don't know why. I didn't do anything wrong. All I did was accept a g-gift from Nico. Is that so bad?" she muttered.
Will shook his head, and I saw the resentment in his eyes.
"Ariadne, we'll catch up with you in a minute. I need to have a little "talk" with Will about the reasons he should yell," I said, controlling my voice.
Will gave me a confused look, and nodded at Ariadne to go ahead.
When she was gone, I said, "You are not to hurt her, or you will be hurt. ALL she did was accept a gift from Nico. NOTHING happened this morning. Why are you being so protective?"
He sighed. He looked me in the eyes, and instantly I understood. He didn't want to lose Ariadne to the son of the lord of the dead. He would be devastated.
"Fine, but don't yell over little things okay? It hurts me to see her sad or scared," I whispered.
He nodded and walked out of the cabin. I followed him, and we got Annabeth.
Ariadne's POV:
We left, and realized we didn't know where to go. Annabeth was looking around to make sure we weren't being followed, but I had a feeling we were being followed. I also thought I knew who. I wasn't going to come out and say it, because I figured the follower would be important to this quest.
I turned on my iPod to the song "You Belong with Me" and turned it up. Soon I was singing along, but I didn't care. I didn't notice Will looking at me like I was crazy, or Percy and Annabeth smiling like this reminded them of when they were kids. I just sang my heart out with the song. When it ended, my friends clapped for me. I was blushing, but smiling uncontrollably.
"Thanks, but it wasn't that good. I can't sing compared to some campers I know," I said, looking pointedly at Will.
He laughed, and said, "Whatever. You were still good. I loved the song."
I turned on "Total Eclipse of the Heart" and started singing. Will joined me, so I sang all the girls parts, and Will sang the boys parts. We sounded good together. That song made me said, especially the "Turn around bright eyes" part. "Bright eyes" was my nickname when I was a kid. My eyes welled up with tears, but I did my best to control them. One tear fell, and I laughed at how girly I was being.
"I'm sorry; I'm not usually this emotional. This song just reminds me of my old nickname. My uncle would always call me bright eyes. I miss him so much," I said, blinking all the tears away.
Will hugged me, and he smelled like peppermint. I smiled at him, and we continued walking.
Eventually we had to iris-message Chiron and ask where to go. He said we had to go to Houston, Texas.
"I've been to Houston. Some of the drama department students went with the teacher for a convention. It's really nice in the winter," I exclaimed, and we thanked Chiron.
The follower's POV:
I shadow traveled to the airport, where Percy and Ariadne almost had a nervous breakdown. Yes, I, Nico di Angelo, am the one following the questers. I felt like I needed to go.
When they got off the plane, I was already in Houston. I stepped out of the shadows, but had to hide before they saw me.
"Hey, guys, I think I saw Nico. Is that possible?" a girl's voice asked.
I recognized it as Ariadne's voice. My heart skipped a beat when I heard her voice, but I scolded myself.
Percy spoke up next, saying, "Well, it's possible he is the one who had been following us."
Will and Annabeth stayed silent. I got up, and they all saw me. I figured I had it coming, so why not get it over with.
"Nico, why were you following us?" Will and Annabeth said in unison.
I explained that feeling in my gut that I needed to follow you, and Ariadne seemed to understand.
"Well, you can't turn back now. Let's get moving," she said.
Will glared at me, but I ignored him and followed Ariadne. We needed to hurry if we were going to get to her family in time to save them.
A/N: not a good place to stop, I know, *ducks to avoid Will's arrow* but I couldn't think of anything else to write. Review please.
