Chapter Nine: Silena

I smiled, as I watched Char hug Luke. I had forced her to go over to him, and talk to him. Ever since Char rejected Luke, he was all moody and just wasn't- Luke. Ugh. I'm being all daughter-of-Aphrodite-y.

"Hey," a male voice said, making me spin around. It sounded exactly like- like Kyle. "I'm Nate Ryder, son of Zeus. And your name is...?" He was about three inches taller than me, 6', and had blond hair and sparkling sky blue eyes illuminated by a huge color-changing bonfire a couple of yards away.

"Silena Jackson," I said monotonously, remembering the oath I took when Kyle died. Never, ever, love again.

"Ah, so you're part of the famous Jackson clan. I've heard great things about you," Nate said, with a slight British accent. When I raised an eyebrow, he chuckled and continued. "I was raised in England, but I came to Camp when I was ten. I'm fifteen now."

I nodded, hoping he got the message that I didn't want to talk.

"So, want to dance milady?" Nate said, laying on the British accent even thicker. I laughed, and took his outstretched hand. Then I recoiled, like I had been slapped hard in the face. NO Silena, you're not EVER going to love again, remember? Kyle Jamison, the love of your life, is DEAD.

"Um, no thanks, I think I'll just go over there..." I waved my hand vaguely around the area and slipped away from the awkwardness, leaving a very confused and hurt Nate in my wake.