Change
Chapter 9
Artemis was going to kill me. No – she wouldn't kill me, should would turn me into some small rodent or rabbit or something, and then she and the Hunt would hunt me down. And then I would die.
Artemis was never really the forgiving type.
Sighing, I sat down at the base of the tree. Was this really the way I was going to die? I didn't even get to say goodbye to Percy, and Nico...
I was an absolute jerk to him before I left. He probably hates me. Probably despises me. And the worst part about it? He has absolutely every right to.
Emotions really suck.
I looked at the note again and re-read it. Then re-read it again. I hated to say it, but there was really only one thing I could do. Something I never thought myself capable of.
I prayed to Aphrodite.
Literally the second after I closed my eyes, the scent of the goddess' sickeningly sweet perfume filled my nostrils, making me want to sneeze.
"Oh, Thalia!" she squealed, beaming at me with perfectly straight teeth. "I knew you would come around! I just knew it! You and Nico are just so perfect for each other, and Oh. Em. Gee. Thalia! This is just so amazing!"
I took a deep breathe in, then exhaled. "Aphrodite," I said, making an effort to keep myself calm, "please be quiet. You're going to wake everyone up."
Aphrodite giggled, as if she knew something I didn't. "You need to stop worrying, Thalia. Now go tell Artemis that you're leaving to go be with your man! I promise she won't turn you into a bunny."
She winked, then was gone. I was left sitting in the middle of a dark, empty forest wondering when the Hades my life had gotten so cliché.
I took a deep breath, savoring what might be my last few minutes as a human. I've never gotten in trouble with her myself, but I have seen what happens to those who were subject to her wrath. Needless to say, it was not the most desirable fate.
With shaky hands, I opened the goddess' tent and ducked inside.
"Hello, Thalia," she said, her voice having no emotion whatsoever. Her back was turned to me, so I could not see her face.
"Hello, m'lady," I replied, bowing my head.
"Sit."
I did what she asked, and for a few moments neither of us spoke. It seemed she was waiting for me to say something.
It also seemed as if she already knew what I was going to say.
I let out the breath I hadn't realized I was holding. "M'lady, I don't mean to disrespect you or your kindness in any way, and I honestly didn't mean for this to happen, and I'm very sorry if you're angry with me, and I know that you will definitely hate me for this, but, you see, at Camp-"
"Thalia," she said, turning around to face me, "I know."
"Wait...what?" I questioned, forgetting all of my formality. "What do you mean you know?"
"Aphrodite really isn't the best secret keeper, Thalia. Literarily everybody in Olympus knows about you and that male. 'Thalico' she calls it."
Again, all I could do was stare.
"Thalico?" I finally sputtered out. "...What?"
Artemis laughed without humor. "It's stupid, I agree."
I nodded, and we sat there in a few moments of silence. "M'lady," I asked, "does this mean your going to turn me into a rabbit now?"
The goddess sighed. "I really want to Thalia, to be honest. But I won't. You were one of my best lieutenants, after all."
My eyes widened. "You are serious, right?" I asked, almost not believing it. This had to be the first time Artemis ever let someone leave the Hunt for love.
"Yes, of course I'm serious," she snapped.
"Thank you," I stammered, my eyes still huge with disbelief. "So much."
"I'm not that cruel," she muttered. "Just don't expect to be allowed to come back once that boy breaks your heart."
I was smiling now. "Thank you Artemis." I repeated. "Thank you."
It had been nearly three hours since I had left the Hunt, yet I was still not at Camp. Instead, I was right back in the same pink room that I had been imprisoned in twice before. And now they were torturing me.
"Athena, hand me the curling iron," Aphrodite said, holding her hand out.
"Which one?" the goddess of wisdom answered exasperatedly. "You have at least five!"
"The pink one with the darker pink handle," Aphrodite replied, irate. "Honestly, how many times have a told you about which kind of curls are right for different girls? It's so obvious!"
"No, it's not," Athena muttered, but she grabbed the curling iron and handed it to Aphrodite anyway. I groaned, looking at my reflection in the mirror of Aphrodite's pink vanity.
The two Olympians had put me in at least thirty different outfits when at last they had both agreed on one. Surprisingly enough, I actually liked it. It was simple, really, with dark wash jeans, a blue, racerback tank top, and – my favorite part of the whole outfit – a black leather jacket. Aphrodite also chose a pair of black heels, and a necklace with cloud on it to finish it off.
Thank the gods that Athena had some sense in her, and managed to convince Aphrodite that a big, poofy dress was not the way for me to properly 'win Nico's heart'.
My face was still makeup-less – though not for long – and my hair was in the process of being curled by the goddess of love herself. Athena stood by, book in hand, ready to help Aphrodite with my makeover.
"There!" Aphrodite exclaimed, twenty minutes later. "Done!"
She stepped back to examine her handiwork, evidently liking what she saw. She smiled as she moved to pick up her makeup bag.
Before I could look in the mirror, Aphrodite turned the chair around.
"Oh, don't worry Thalia. You're going to look amazing," Aphrodite told me, laughing at my terrified expression.
"I sure hope so," I mumbled.
"Now close your eyes, and stop moving," she ordered, unscrewing her bottle of mascara. "I'd hate to poke your eyes out before you get a chance to see Nico again."
I had almost drifted off to sleep when an extremely loud squeal of excitement made me jump out of my seat.
"Oh, you look so gorgeous!" Aphrodite gushed, pulling me over to a full-length mirror. "Look!"
I gasped at my reflection. The hair and the outfit weren't so bad, but the makeup...
I groaned. "Aphrodite, I look like a clown."
"You do not! You look pretty!" she insisted, folding her arms across her chest. "And don't try to take it off. Your hair and your makeup are going to stay on for the next few days no matter what you try.
"Now come on! You have a boy to win back!"
Suddenly, Aphrodite and I were standing in front of the Hades Cabin. I stumbled a little – high heels were not the easiest shoes to walk in.
The love goddess smiled. "Go on." She nudged me in the direction of the door, and then disappeared.
Taking a deep breath, I walked up the steps and knocked on the door. I started to feel a little bit self-conscious, but quickly pushed the emotion out of my mind. I didn't have time for that. I-
The door opened to reveal a very tired looking Nico. His eyes narrowed in confusion.
"Hello!" I greeted, trying to think of something, anything to say. "Nice weather, isn't it?"
"Is this a dream?" he inquired.
"No, Death Breath, this is not a dream."
"Thalia?"
"No. It's Percy."
He cracked a smile. "Hey Thalia. Wait – what are you doing here? Where's the Hunt? And...is that blush on your face? And your hair...my gods, Thalia, what happened to you?"
I laughed. "It's a long story, Nico. As for my face..." I winced. "Aphrodite."
"Aphrodite? How did that happen? Wait, you know what, I'm not even going to ask. But seriously, Thalia, why are you here? I thought the Hunt was your family?" His face turned serious. "I thought I didn't understand."
"Look, I know your angry with me right now, but...I'm sorry. I left the Hunt."
He just looked at me for a few moments. "Why?"
This made me angry. Did I seriously just give up everything I knew for the past four years, and then go through torture with Aphrodite for nothing? That was not going to happen. If Nico totally turned his back on me now...
"Because, Nico!" I shouted, not able to calm myself down. I gave up everything for this boy. Everything!
"I like you, okay? I like you a lot! I gave up all that I had for you! I'm sorry I was such a jerk to you before, but I was confused, okay? I was confused! But I'm here now, so you know what? You know what?"
I was so angry I was shaking, but I couldn't think of what to say next, because honestly, I didn't know. I didn't know anything anymore. I was a complete mess.
"Sorry to bother you," I muttered, and turned to walk away.
"Thalia, wait."
But I couldn't. I couldn't turn around and face him now. I walked faster.
"Thalia!" he shouted. I started to run.
"Thalia, I'm not angry with you! But my gods, you do make it hard not to be some times!"
Without meaning to, I smiled. I slowed down, eventually coming to a halt. Nico stood right next to me now, panting.
"You run really fast," he stated.
"Sorry, Nico. For being...difficult. I was stupid, I admit."
"Yeah." Nico grinned. "You really, really were."
Nico kissed me then, and I found myself kissing him back. The Aphrodite girls had gathered around us, taking pictures and babbling about how adorable we were, but for once, we just didn't care.
AN: Chapter 9 of Change! The last chapter! How'd you guys like the story? Should there be an Epilogue? Thalia's outfit is on my blog, and my Polyvore account for FF (greekbattledove), so that's there if you'd like to check it out. Thank you guys all so much for reading, reviewing, favoriting, following my story. You guys are the reason I put stories out on here, and you really make my day with all of the nice things you say. :) I love you all so much, and thank you again!
~Ella
