Sorry for not updating for MONTHS but I've had a lot on my plate but now that school's over with, I will probably have much more free time!

Chapter ten

"Damn men…"

Open field; Apollo's POV

"I'm an idiot," I said to myself as I walked back to the small path I just stepped off of with the most amazing girl in the world holding onto my hand. "Damn, why did I have to do that?" I shuffled my feet as I walked back to the bleachers, not excited about going back empty handed. I studied my hand for a minute, thinking about how good Persephone's petite hand felt in mine, and then I sighed a depressing sigh and kept on walking.

Bleachers; Persephone's POV

My head and heart were pounding as I ran to the safety of the bleachers. Athena automatically stood when she first saw me at the bottom of the bleachers. I saw her turn and excuse herself to Trey as she flew down the stairs towards me.

"Persephone! What's wrong?" Her gray eyes were as wide as a deer's in headlights.

"I'm gonna go, wish Artemis the best for me, okay?" She looked sad but she nodded and let go of my hand.

As I turned to walk away I saw him. Dark black hair, green eyes and dressed in all dark clothes from his head to his toes. When I saw his gaze fall upon me my eyes overflowed with tears. As if he could see from across the third set of bleachers, he started running towards me. As soon as I felt his arms around me, I left myself go. I let all my weight fall on him and I started to cry. Right there in the middle of the bleacher section. I didn't notice he had started carrying me until I was in the passenger seat of his car. He made sure I was in all the way and then gently closed the door and made his way over to the other side of the car.

What do I do now? Should I tell him about what Apollo just did? I don't know, I just don't know…

"What's wrong Persephone? Please tell me." Alex grabbed my hand and I looked at his beautiful eyes and I knew I'd have to tell him the truth…

Arena; Archery competition; Artemis' POV

I looked at the enemy with eyes like a hawk. Looking him up and down I thought to myself how easy this win was going to be and how stupid his dumb ass would look after it all. I smiled a sly smile, but I guess Orion took it as a flirty smile because I got one of those back.

"What are you looking at? Can't you tell that I'm gonna kick your ass at this?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Oh really? Well, I'm afraid that I can't let you win today, I have a bet with a certain brother of yours who says that I can't take you out if I lose. So good luck out there." He winked at me and then headed off the talk to one of his so called "friends".

I took this opportunity to look for mine. Up in the bleachers I saw Athena and Trey talking with each other and holding hands. To their left, I saw Apollo slumped down in his seat.

I pulled out my cell phone.

Hey `Thena, the competition is gonna start soon. 1st off, where's `Sef and secondly, what's up with Apollo?

I looked to the bleachers and saw Athena read the message. She turned to Apollo and I saw her mouth moving. And I knew just what she was asking him.

In less than a minute her response came.

He said that nothing was wrong and that he's just stupid. Idk what that means but `Sef left and he came back after her so I'm not sure :/

Trey3

I closed my phone and looked up at Apollo. He waved a little depressing wave and I just raised a brow at him and then turned around. Orion saw the look on my face and starting jogging over to me.

"What's wrong, princess?"

If I wasn't upset I would have said something about the whole 'princess' thing. "Nothing."

He put a large hand on my face and pulled it gently up, "You can tell me, Artemis."

That was the first time he had actually looked sincere to me in awhile. I thought for a second to let him see my emotions, but then he wouldn't take me seriously anymore, so I brushed his hand away. "I don't want to talk about it." I grabbed my bow and arrows and shuffled away.

Start of Archery Competition; Orion's POV

I don't know what the problem with Artemis is but I will find out. One way, or another. Picking up my arrows, bow on my back, I noticed Apollo in the stands. Something wasn't right with him. I could tell by his body language that something was definitely wrong with him.

"Attention all archery competitors, the archery competition will start in two minutes, please begin setting up at the shooting line."

"Well, game on then." I smiled as I turned towards my target. Her eyes were staring straight ahead, she was ready. Sadly for her, so was I.

"All archers, you may begin in…3…2…1. Shoot!"

I released my arrow with accurate precision, obviously a ten or bull's-eye. I turned to watch Artemis shoot. She stood, feet at a 10 degree angle and body standing tall, she had her bow at pre-draw and then the release. I didn't watch the arrow at all. I watched her follow-through, where her fingertips brushed lightly over her cheek.

A small smile fell upon her lips and I knew she hit bull's-eye. She turned her head towards me as she pulled out her next arrow. She knocked the arrow and turned away once again in pre-draw.

I grabbed my second arrow, only four more to go, and nocked it, ready for a second bull's-eye…

"Thank you competitors, please return to the waiting line as we add up your scores and announce the winner in just a moment."

I watched as Artemis put her bow upon her back along with the rest of her arrows. She stood there for a moment until I started walking towards her, then she walked away and sat on the ground behind the waiting line and patted at the ground next to her.

"How'd you do?" I asked starting conversation.

"My best. Like always." She flipped her ponytail back onto her shoulder.

"So did I. You know I'm really looking forward to our date. Where would you like to go? I'll take you anywhere you'd like to go."

"Home."

"Except there." I smiled.

"Then surprise me."

"Attention contestants. It has come to my attention that there has been a tie amongst two competitors. Artemis Jones and Orion…Hm, there doesn't seem to be a last name here. But yes, Artemis and Orion you two are our winners. Congratulations."

"No!" Artemis screamed. "We need another event! There can't be two winners! There can only be one!"

"She is right. What do you guys say? One more event?" I yelled to the crowd of people on the stands.

"What will we do?"

"Hide-and-go-seek." I said.

"Come again?" She said her voice ironic.

"Yeah you know. Hide-and-go-seek, but instead we'll be tracking. Whoever finds who fastest, wins. Sound good?"

She paused then her face lit up, "Deal." She smiled.

"Alright, we will now start the last event. The rules are simple, one of you will go into the woods first, you will have one minute to hide so choose carefully, then after that minute is up the clock begins and I will set the other one off to find you. Once you return with that person, the time stops. You have a maximum of fifteen minutes to find the hiding person. Choose who's hiding first. And good luck."

"You hiding or seeking first?" I asked.

"I'll seek. You hide." She said pointing at the deep woods.

"You got it. Just promise you'll actually look?" She laughed.

Second event; Artemis' POV

This'll be a cinch. I watched as Orion walked into the woods. I looked at the scoreboard where is read: 1:00. Then started to count down.

I started jogging in place as the clock was on its final seconds. I was ready as I'll ever be. When the announcer said, "Go!", I was off and running. I darted into the woods searching and smelling, but it was so confusing. Orion's scent was the scent of the whole damn forest! I couldn't catch on to it for the life of me. And time was not on my side…

Time was up as I walked, totally disappointed, out of the woods. And there he stood, cocky as ever, smiling.

"Hi. My turn already?"

"Shut up." I looked at the clock.

Second event; Orion's POV

Artemis was pissed. She wanted so badly to win and I could tell this was killing her. I thought about letting her win. So that she would be happy, but she would be even madder if I let her win.

As soon as the clock hit 1:00, she was off to hide. Except, I would know exactly where she was. Her scent was something that I could pick up on in less than 2.2 seconds.

When time was up I walked slowly and calmly into the woods. About five minutes later, I waited for effect, I came out holding onto my prize.

"This is not over." She whispered in my ear.

"Whatever you say beautiful." I smiled.

"And the winner is…Orion!"

The crowd cheered as I held up my prize and she tried to kick my teeth in.

Open field; Artemis' POV

"Where were you?" I asked eating my hotdog.

"You remember that big blueberry bush right when you walk into the forest? Right there." He took a bite of his hotdog.

"Are you shitting me?" I asked as my grip got tighter.

"Nope." He smiled.

"I couldn't smell you at all! Not like it's my fault though. You always smell like the fricken forest!" I screamed, extremely pissed that he was right in front of me all along.

"You know my scent?" He asked, surprised.

"Yeah. Well, I guess." I shut up. Things were getting awkward.

"I know yours too. That's how I was able to find you so quickly."

"Oh," I paused. "Where are you taking me for our date?"

"Like I said, wherever you want Artemis. I just want you to like me is all."

"Like you? Are you serious? You kissed me dumbass, of course I like you. Don't be stupid." I got up and started walking away when I heard Orion call my name.

I turned around and he kissed me. Right in the middle of that big open field, he kissed me. And it was the best damn kiss I've ever had. Damn men.