I headed down to the beach as soon as I could get away from my siblings. They were driving me insane. Apparently, someone told them I got a girlfriend. I was thinking that it was a certain two sons of Hermes, but that was just a guess. As I neared the beach I saw Penelope standing there underneath a tree at the edge of the sand, gods she was pretty.

"Hey Pens," She turned around to face me and gave me a smile. I couldn't help smile back as she greeted me in turn. When she saw I had brought the picnic stuff, she offered to help me set up. She helped me to put out the blanket, and after, I admitted that the only thing I really brought was sandwiches. I confessed to being a terrible cook, and she laughed along with me. I really hope she comes back after she is done with whatever she is leaving for. We started to talk about anything and everything I had to watch what I said though, I felt too comfortable around her. It might force control of my tongue out of me.

"My best friend and I have known each other since I moved into his neighborhood when I was 5 yrs. old. He and I have gone through a lot together and I trust him a lot." She told me when I asked her about her best friend, and I admit I had some jealous thoughts when I heard it was male. But it did strike me as odd that her story sounded like the companion to my best friend story.

"The exact same thing happened between me and my best friend, except she is female." I said deciding to change my story to be instead my best friends and not my own.

"I hope I don't have anything to be worried about," she told me leaning in to my chest, and all I could think was if anyone should be worried about losing someone to that someone's best friend it should be me. I loved my best friend and I could have seen a relationship beyond friendship, but I know Penelope now. She fits into my life better than my best friend could.

"You have nothing to be worried about Penelope, nothing at all." I tried to reassure her, and started to lean in towards her. I wanted to confirm my words with a kiss, but then, I heard a phone go off.

It can't be mine, I thought, only Fiske and my mom use this number to contact me and I'm on break. I pulled out my phone any way, and guess what…it was mine.

"Sorry," I said. "I have to take this." Pens nodded her consent. I walked into the woods just out of her hearing range. I trusted her, but I needed to talk in complete privacy. Caller id told me I was going to talk to Fiske, and he only calls me on break about things that need to be kept in upmost secrecy.

"What is it?" I sighed into the phone, knowing it was probably important, but not really caring because I had something important to me a short walk away.

"I need you to get back to school." Fiske told me, no questions or pleasantries like normal. Gods, this must be serious.

"Now?" I asked trying to mask my annoyance that was threatening to penetrate my voice.

"Yes, we have a mission, and I need you hereto checkout the new recruits, see if they are going to help or harm us." Newbies…That's strange, we never get newbies in our department.

"OK, I will be out of here tomorrow night." I knew better than to ask questions. Fiske needed me; I wasn't going to let him down.

"No, I need you home ASAP. You will take the train tonight." My body went ridged. Penelope was taking the train to Lynchburg, what if she saw me, not as Will of course because that is my cover, and recognized me.

"Fine, I'll take the train tonight, but tell whoever is picking me up I'll be on a later train. There is someone I would like to spend the ride with and she knows me as Will."

"Very well, I will see you tomorrow."

"I'll see you soon Fiske."

I thought I heard a rustling in the underbrush behind me as I ended my phone call, but I think it was just one of the many monsters that the woods were stocked with. I shook my head trying to figure out how to tell Pens I was riding the train with her.

~~~~~~

I walked towards Penelope, who was reclining on the blanket. I just need to come right out and say it. "Pens, you are taking a train to Lynchburg tonight right." I asked her.

"Yes," she replied, "Why do you ask?" I grinned. Just act cool, keep calm.

"That was my mom," I looked out towards the ocean as I spoke because I don't think I could lie to her face. "She wants me to come home for a week or two and spend time with my step-dad, so I'll be taking the train to Lynchburg tonight. That means I can spend more time with you."

I just lied to her, I thought. I saw Penelope smile at me. "That would be amazing."

"Good, then I'll see you tonight." I said and stood up pulling her up with me.

"Of course," She said as I started to lean in, and we kissed. Through the entire thing my phone call echoed in my mind. I'll take the train tonight, but tell whoever is picking me up I'll be on a later train. There is someone I would like to spend the ride with and she knows me as Will. I'll see you soon Fiske.

I had just lied to my girlfriend…what kind of person am I?

~~~~~~

I quickly through all my stuff together after talking to Chiron, he understood my circumstances completely. He had said the van was leaving in 20 min. Well 9 min now, it had taken me a while to get my cabin situated with a temporary leader for the time I was gone. I glanced at my clock one last time, I needed to go. I took off running for the pine tree that marked the boundary line for camp, I couldn't see Pens, Annabeth, or Percy anywhere. If I got left I would be Hades bound.

"Hey guys wait up!" I called out when I saw the backs of Annabeth, Percy, and Pens. I saw Annie and Percy glance back. I thought I saw Annabeth murmur something to Pens as they waved at me, but I really wasn't looking at that daughter of Athena…

We soon got to the train station, unloaded the bus, said bye to Argus, and boarded the train. I sat next to Pens with Percy and Annabeth in front of us, and we all soon fell asleep. The last thing I could remember was having Penelope rest her head on my chest as she slept.

~~~~~~

We got off the train and headed towards where Annie, Percy, and Pen's ride would be. On the way, Annie and Percy went to grab something to eat and I stayed with Penelope, after telling them I would get something later.

"Well, I guess this is good bye," I said as we neared the exit.

"I guess it is." She replied. "But we can still Iris Message."

"That sounds great," I said enthusiastically, "How about every other day at 12:30." That is right after lunch, I thought to myself, so I will have time to change.

"Sounds perfect."

"Good bye Penelope," I said as I leaned down and gave her a kiss. "I hope to see you soon."

"Bye Will," she said as I turned and walked away.

"Please forgive me for lying to you" I whispered even though I knew she would never hear me.

I ducked into a McDonald's, grabbing a burger and coke. Not the healthiest thing, but I needed food. I quickly ate heading to a bathroom to change. I took off the blond wig, and shook out my brown hair. Gods I needed a haircut. I put in my contacts that changed my eyes to a darker shade of blue.

"Welcome back to the world of Cahills," I muttered to my reflection; then I began to through all my stuff into my other bag. It had the Janus crest embroidered onto the black duffle. My other phone began to ring as I zipped up the bag.

"Hey, buddy you here yet?" asked a voice.

"Yeah," I responded. "I just got here. Let me grab some food then I'll meet you at the car."

"Sounds good." Then there was a click that signaled the phone being hung up. I shook my head and exited the bathroom. I started walking towards the exit.

"So," I heard someone say as they began to walk alongside me. "What have you been up to for our amazingly long vacation?"

I laughed, "Not much. How about you?" I glanced towards my best friend, Nadia Tyree, smiling.

"Nothing. Nothing at all."