000 Alisa's PoV 000

I limped into the infirmary and saw... Solana. Great, just what I needed, Little Miss Sunshine just had to be the camper on duty right now, huh. I realized she was talking to someone.

"So, Kale, are you going to the Titan Festival the Aphrodite Cabin's arranging?" that was Solana, probably flirting with this Kale kid. Poor guy.

"Errr... I don't really do parties." replied a deep voice, I edged closer to see a guy wearing Steampunk-style clothes. He had messy unkempt brown hair with goggles pushed carelessly in, gloved hands and a oil-smudge on his face. For a Hephaestus (probably, Hephaestus) camper, he was pretty cute and probably pretty strong underneath that slightly lanky exterior. He was older than me, maybe 14 or 15, and obviously Sunshine's newest victim.

"Well, I was thinking maybe yo-"

I coughed, interrupting Sunshine's statement. Both her and the Hephaestus kid turned to me, Solana was glaring daggers into me. Like I care.

"Oh, was I interrupting something? Sorry, I just thought this was an infirmary, not a high school hallway." I smirked at them, showing my obviously injured foot, which had gotten cut somewhere and had started bleeding.

"Oh, gods, you look dead beat" said the guy "here, let me help you."

He jogged to me and put my arm over his shoulders just as I was about to fall on the floor as sudden exhaustion washed over me.

"I'd like to beat her dead." Solana muttered.

"What was that, Sunshine?" I asked casually as she resumed looking at me like I was something she scraped off her shoe while running through a swamp. Realizing Kale was also here, she plastered on a honey-with-sugar-added sweet smile that was so fake, I could vomit.

"I was just saying that you should just have some Nectar and rest and you'll be all better, hon!" she said the last word with disdain.

I plastered on a super-sweet smile just like hers and said in a sarcastic voice, "Aw, thanks, Sunshine, it's so nice of you to worry about me like that, sweetie."

Kale coughed lightly, interrupting our glaring contest and I smiled sweetly at him (which caused Solana to glare harder at me, much to my amusement) and said, "Oh sorry, you must be getting tired carrying my weight like this, here just help me sit on the bed."

He gently let me sit on the white bed and walked to the back, where they stored all the Ambrosia and Nectar.

I turned to Solana, smirked at her, and said, "So, is he your new victim, Sunshine?"

Gods, I haven't gotten this irritated with anyone in my life!

"Well, how's it going for you and Nico? Still bothering him by saying at his place?" she replied.

I rolled my eyes and said, "I've only been here for like two days, I'm pretty sure you bothered him more with your stupid flirting and smiling."

"Why you little-" she started.

"I got the Nectar." Kale interrupted by suddenly popping out behind Solana. "Here." he said, handing over half a glass of what looked like cold apple juice. I took a sip and realized that this was the stuff Annabeth gave me when I killed(?) that monster. A warm feeling spread through me as I drank the chocolate-tasting drink, moving my foot, I realized that the Nectar had healed me already!

I returned my attention to Kale and smiled, handing back the cup I drained, "Thanks."

He smiled back and took the cup, placing it on a small table where a few other cups were put, "No prob. I haven't introduced myself yet, have I?" he said lightly, "I'm Kale Amante, Hephaestus Cabin. Sorry about my outfit, I just got out of the forges when I realized I had to help out here."

"Ahem, Kale," That was Solana, "can we continue our conversation before Room Jumper here interrupted?"

"Maybe another time, Solana." Kale replied lightly, "Your shift is done right?"

I could almost hear Solana growling at that comment, but she kept her composure smiled at Kale and said, "Sure, I'll look for you tomorrow or something." Then she left stiffly.

"Aahh~" Kale sighed, looking relieved, "Finally! Geez, she's been bugging me all afternoon."

I laughed a bit. Kale looked at me and said "What are you laughing at? Do you know how hard it is to get rid of that girl?" He suddenly started talking in this high nasal voice that was a really bad imitation of Solana, it totally made me laugh harder.

"Heh, I guess you should probably rest." he said, then he looked at me strangely, like he wanted to say something. He opened his mouth a bit, and closed it again.

I frowned, "What?"

"Nothing, it's nothing." he replied.

I frowned, wanting to know what he wanted to say. Even though I've only known him for like 10 minutes, it felt like I've been friends with him forever.

He sighed again, but not the relieved kind of sigh, no it was more exasperated. He looked at me, "You don't remember do you?"

I frowned again, "What do you mean?"

He smiled sadly, "I guess you wouldn't want to remember. Anyway, I have to go, my siblings are waiting for me at the forge."

He walked toward the door, leaving me confused. He turned to me again just as he was about to step out, "I hope I see you again, A." He turned around quickly and dashed out of the room.

My eyes widened as I heard that nickname. Old memories were stirred, memories of the time when my mom left for the first time. My dad was so sad and heartbroken, and I was only a child. I pushed those memories so far back in my brain, that I'd forgotten. Forgotten of the brown-haired boy that cheered me up everyday. Forgotten of the family that took me in when Dad raged. Forgotten of the complete loneliness I felt when they moved away so suddenly...

Tears threatened to fall as I looked at the spot he stood on a few seconds ago.

"K-Kale...?

A/N: This is to make up for the previous short chapter~ What do you think of the newest member in our motley crew? Don't you just love drama? He-he~ 'Cause I love writing it!

Anyway, REVIEWS HAVE REACHED 30! Thanks you guys!