Hello, hello! I have returned with chapter nine! *queue studio applause* This one is still kinda short I apologize but I'm getting really excited because the story is starting to get interesting! I'm not gonna spoil it for you so here it is!

What are waiting for? Start reading!


Chapter Nine

When I got back to my cabin I flopped down on my bunk and stared up at the moon hanging above me. The conversation with Nico had left me confused. How he acted towards me and how he made me feel had brought out an emotion I hadn't felt in a long time. Guilt.

I felt guilty because of Matt. I wasn't exactly sure why but I knew now that I really liked him because I felt that way. I mean sure I'd always had a slight crush on him and I knew he liked me too but he never said anything to me about it so he obviously doesn't care if I like someone else right? I practically slapped myself in the face. Of course he wouldn't want me to like anybody else! I'm pretty sure I'd get jealous if he had a crush on another girl.

I rolled over and groaned into my pillow. I was never good at boys and that certainly hasn't changed. I started drifting off again and I could only hope that the dreams wouldn't come back.

The next thing I knew the sun was shining through the silver curtains that framed the windows. I sat up and at first forgot where I was. Then I remembered all the events of yesterday (a.k.a. the longest day of my life) and I felt this lump in my chest like my body wanted to cry but my brain made me hold it in all together resulting in an internal conflict that pretty much just made me want to scream.

I pulled off the silk sheets and placed my bare feet on the wood floor of my cabin. I threw on short shorts topped with an orange, striped, off the shoulder top over a purple tank. I brushed out my hair and put my crescent moon pin in it just as I had the night before. I glanced in the mirror and I noticed that I was still wearing the necklace that Matt and Becky gave me for my birthday. I missed them so much. If this was a normal camp I would have dragged them along with me. for the first time while I was here I found myself missing my old life. The one I had before I became the demigod daughter of Artemis. I fingered the necklace and wished that they were all still with me.

I heard a conch horn blow from somewhere on the west side of camp and assumed it to be the signal for breakfast. I slipped on my pink flip flops and headed out towards the dining pavilion.

Most of the campers were there already and I made my way to my table. I looked over to another table nearby that was usually empty as well but was now occupied by a boy with olive skin and onyx eyes. I watched Percy walk over to greet him with a friendly clap on the shoulder. As they started talking I saw Nico gesture towards me and I turned away just as Percy looked over.

I had heard that the girls that serve the food were nymphs; nature spirits. They lived in trees, rocks, streams, lakes, grass, flowers, anything related to the outdoors. One of them placed a platter filled with pancakes, bacon, and eggs in front of me along with an empty goblet. I walked up to the large brazier in the center and scraped off a few pieces of bacon and said a silent prayer to my mom.

I passed the Athena table on my way back and noticed that Annabeth wasn't there. I sat back down at my table and filled my glass with orange juice. Percy walked by on his way back from the brazier and I reached out my hand to stop him.

"Hey, Percy," I said.

"Morning, Ariadne." He smiled.

"Where's Annabeth?" I asked him. I remembered seeing her so upset last night. "Is she okay?"

The smile melted off Percy's face. He looked like he was about to answer but before he could say anything, Chiron silenced the campers by beating the stone floor with his hoof. Percy gave me an "I'll talk to you later" look and took his seat at his table with Tyson. Everyone looked ahead at the camp activities director and waited for him to speak.

"Good morning, everyone." There was a murmur of response from the crowd. "I would like to start by welcoming all of the new campers we have with us this summer. We are very glad to have you with us and I hope that your time here so far has been enjoyable. Now I have some more serious news. Most of you may know Annabeth Chase as one of our long time campers and as the lead counselor of the Athena cabin. Some of you may also know that her father and his family have been living in San Francisco for the past couple of years, although their living situation had been, for lack of a better word, compromised. And so they will be staying with us in the Big House until they are able to return home.

"Please give a warm welcome to the Chase family and I expect you to treat them with as much respect as you would Annabeth or I." He held him arm out to his left and revealed Annabeth and her dad's family. As I took a good look at them I realized, with a shock, that it was the same family I had seen in my dream the night before.

I clapped my hand over my mouth to keep from crying out. One of the boys, the twin that was almost a half an inch taller than the other, scanned the crowd. His eyes stopped on me and his face showed confusion, then surprise, then pure joy. Matt. I wanted to scream his name. I wanted him to wrap his arms around me in the hug that I so desperately missed. I looked in his eyes and knew that he wanted the same.

I looked back down at my plate and forced myself to finish my breakfast. There was plenty of time for happy reunions after.

As I was finishing, I got a feeling that someone was watching me. But it wasn't the same as the feeling you would normally get. It was more like I knew someone was watching me. I could feel a pair of eyes on the back of my head. Hunting instincts I guess.

I looked over my shoulder to see who it was even though I was pretty sure I already knew. I locked eyes with Nico and he winked at me. I rolled my eyes and turned back to my plate. I finished the last few bites and left the empty plate for one of the nymphs to take it. I got up and started to make my way out of the mess hall. I had lost sight of Matt and was trying to look over the heads of the campers that were all getting up as well.

I wasn't watching where I was going and it wasn't long before I ran right into Percy.

"Oh! Gods, Ariadne," Percy said. "Sorry about that."

"No, no I wasn't watching where I was going, it was my fault." I said brushing myself off.

"Who were you looking for?" He asked.

"Oh, I—just someone I thought I recognized," I answered quickly.

"Well, Chiron sent me over here to let you know that your archery lessons start in half an hour. They meet just outside the woods over there." He indicated the spot with his pointer finger. "I'll see you around." He smiled and joined the rush of campers heading out to their daily activities.

I decided to head back to my cabin to replace my loose shirt with something that won't get in the way of shooting a bow. I was just entering the commons area when I heard my name shouted from a little ways behind me.

"Ary!"

My heart skipped a beat. I turned to see Matt quickly making his way through the crowd. He ran to me and I immediately jumped into his arms. He hugged me back and we just stood like that for a few seconds. We pulled away but he held onto my arms as he began talking rapidly and out of breath.

"What are you doing here? I thought you were back in Brooklyn?"

"Well it's kind of a long story. I, um… My mom visited me yesterday. That's why we made you guys leave so soon…" my voice trailed off. I saw the confused look in his eyes so I spoke up again, "I have a half an hour before I have to be somewhere. Come with me, we have a lot to talk about."


So, how was it? Is the whole dream/Matt/Annabeth's family starting to make sense? I'm so proud of my devious-ness *evil laugh*

Jkjk so anyway, if you have any questions, suggestions, ideas, anything just let me know in a review or a private message :)

Thank you thank you thank you for reading and make sure you review!

~Glamgirl16