A few weeks past and nothing out of the ordinary really happened. Val found herself beginning to get along more with Nico and closer with Derick, Chelsea, and Alaska. She has learned to cast healing spells that were tested after a few Capture the Flag games. She even worked with the Demeter cabin to grow plants needed for her potions which at first didn't go over to well, but she almost has them down to a science now. There hasn't been anymore contact with her mother, father, or Barron since that night which seemed like forever ago. She seemed to be settling in well until once again the universe decided to throw another crazy antic at her just when she was settling down again. It wasn't necessarily bad, but it sure as hell couldn't end well for anyone. It looks like only time would tell for her.

Val's POV

Percy and Annabeth are continuously checking on me to see how I'm doing with all this training, but I've got to say I've become well adjusted to it by now. I no longer feel the urge to pass out right after dinner and I'm actually talking to Nico. He's not as bad as I originally thought he was, but I was right when I said he was a ladies man. He always has a new girl following him around every other week. Even though I have my own table now I still sit with Percy and Annabeth usually joins in as well. Chiron doesn't really say anything about this because he knows that if Poseidon had a problem with this I wouldn't be there anymore. Later that night Alaska, Derick, Chelsea and I were walking along the beach before curfew was called. Alaska and Derick ran into the water after a while, and Chlesea and I sat down to watch them have their fun. It was great seeing that Derick was actually able to go into the water now a days even though not just a few weeks ago he was terrified and had no idea how to swim. I'm really glad I was able to teach him.

"Hey Val?"

"Yeah Chels."

"Can I tell you something?" I looked over to her to see her staring at me.

"Of course what are friends for?" I smiled.

"I was just wondering what was going on between you and Derick." I looked at her confused.

"What do you mean?" She looked at the ground sheepishly.

"It's just that you two are always hanging out mostly by yourselves and sometimes he'll give you these looks."

"You think he likes me?" I asked.

"I don't know I was kind of asking you that."

"Well he's more of a really cool best friend to me if that's what your asking. Why?"

"It's just I've known him for a while and we've been close friends for some time now." I looked at her shocked after I pieced together all the clues.

"You like him don't you!" I accused.

"Wha-what no I-I do not!" She said pleading with my as a blush took over her face.

"You sure do! You can't even hide it." Her face turned an even dark shade of pink on her mocha colored skin.

"Well I mean it's not that I don't like him, it's just I don't know complicated."

"Well I think I'm going to try to help you out!" She looked up at me.

"Really?"

"Of course!" She smiled at me and the night continued on. I tried to egg on more conversations between the two even though they already knew practically everything about each other I could still try. Finally the 5 minutes until curfew horn went off telling us to get to our cabins before they let loose the harpies. Derick and I headed in the opposite direction of Chelsea and Alaska so before we split I gave them both hugs an whispered into Chelsea's ear not to worry. Derick walked me to my cabin seeing as there was now a clearer pathway from the back of my cabin to his that he could just cut across.

"You know I'm really glad Nico brought you here."

"Really? Why is that?"

"Because without you I don't think I would've ever gotten into water."

"Oh please I'm sure Chelsea would've gotten you in eventually." He nodded considering this.

"True, but I think your way was more... unique."

"Glad I could help you out Derick."

"Yeah me too."

"Well I guess I should be getting to my cabin now or I'll be exhausted in the morning and neither of us want that to happen."

"Yeah."

"Night Derick." I said walking away from him and up the steps of my cabin.

"Wait! One more thing." Derick said whilst running up the stairs after me.

"What?" He just smiled at me and leaned in. It was too late before I realized what was happening and his lips were on mine. He's kissing me. This is totally not what best friends do. Especially after what Chelsea told me today. Oh gods I'm going to feel awful now. Who knows if I'll even get any sleep tonight. The kiss was slow and tender and lasted a little longer then I would deem necessary not to mention it was really awkward for me. When he finally pulled back he was smiling and my heart broke a little more in my chest. Seeing the conflict on my face Derick's smile became a confused frown.

Unbeknownst to the shadows that moved in the distance until the one standing there had disappeared. Hurt, but no knowing why.

"Did I do something wrong?" Oh gods the poor kid. I feel worse now.

"No, no of course you didn't it's just."

"What? What is is?"

"I-I don't like you that way you know? Not to mention I feel really guilty right now."

"You don't? Wait, why do you feel guilty?"

"I think of you more as a best friend, and guilty because ugh I can't tell you." He became irritated now.

"Why can't you tell me? Are you dating someone else? Is that it?"

"No! Who would I be dating anyway? It's not like I really get along with a majority of the camp!"

"Is it DiAngelo? I bet it's him. I can't believe I fell for this."

"What are you talking about? I'm not dating Nico! Just because I can't tell you why I feel guilty doesn't mean you need to jump to all of these conclusions!"

"Well what else am I supposed to think? I thought you liked me!"

"As a best friend I freaking love you; it's just I can't think of you any differently!"

"Sorry I tried. I guess I just ruined our friendship huh?" He said after a bit of silence calmer now.

"No you didn't, and I'm sorry I can't reciprocate your feelings I really wish I could because you are a really sweet, nice guy, and I hate to see that this hurts you."

"I'm sorry."

"You don't need to be. Although I do think you should probably head back to your cabin I'm sure the horn will blow anytime now and I don't want you to get eaten by a harpy now."

"Yeah, your right." He smiled sadly at me and my heart felt like it broke a little more.

"I'll see you tomorrow bright and early."

"Night Derick."

"Night Val." And then he disappeared behind my cabin into the shadows of the night to his own cabin warm and awaiting. Now emotionally exhausted as I am I headed into my own cabin to try to get some sleep for whatever is waiting for me in the morrow.

I woke up the next morning with a terrible head ache. I hope everything with Derick and I are ok, but who knows for sure. During training I would see Derick glaring at Nico when he thought I wasn't looking like anything I said the night before didn't matter, but it's not like I could just tell him Chelsea liked him could I? I in turn told Chelsea the whole thing and how I stopped whatever was going to happen from happening, and for a while she looked sad, but I told her to keep her chin up and be hopeful because you never know what'll happen next. Eventually I did get some alone time with Derick and he seemed a bi uncomfortable.

"You know it's not because of Nico right?"

"That's what you told me."

"But you don't believe me."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because I saw you glaring at him at practice today."

"Oh, you saw that?"

"Yeah, I did. I wasn't lying to you, you know?"

"Then why do you feel so guilty?"

"Ugh, fine I'll tell you, but I swear don't expect me to elaborate any further or I will gut you best friend or not." He nodded in understanding waiting for me to continue.

"Well let's just say someone close to you really likes you and I told her I'd help her, and then that exact same night you kissed me."

"Oh, I guess that makes sense."

"Yeah so can you see why I didn't want to tell you it's like girl code or something like that. At least my friend would call it that."

"The same one who likes me?" I smiled.

"Nice try but no and older friend from highschool."

"Right."

"Will you tell me who she is then?"

"Nope!"

"Why not?"

"Because that would be too easy, and besides it's really obvious the fact that you don't know just goes to show you how oblivious you are."

"Sheesh girls are so frustrating."

"Tell me about it." The day then progressed like any other although for some reason Nico wasn't any where to be found at dinner time. He's probably out doing who knows the hell what. Not that it bothered me or anything just cause. After dinner though at the bonfire I went to the Hades cabin I don't really know why, but I guess I was worried about him like something was wrong. Blame it on my father or whatever but I tend to get inklings every once in a while like something big is going to happen. Not like the night before when Derick had kissed me but big things and for some reason I thought it had to do with Nico. When I finally got to the cabin door I knocked lightly not really sure if this was the right thing to do. After a few minutes I knocked again and when no one answered I began to walk away, and as I walked away I heard the door creak open.

"Val?" I turned around to see Nico in the doorway showing a bit of confusion before becoming stoic once more.

"Uh, hey Nico."

"Why are you here?" He asked kind of harshly. It took me by surprise to be honest.

"I don't really know. It's just you weren't at dinner and I just felt all wrong so I came to check on you." He quirked an eyebrow at me.

"Well I'm fine so you should probably just go run back to the bonfire and hang around with your little boyfriend."

"Boyfriend? What are you talking about?"

"You know Derick. Aren't you two dating now?"

"No... Why would you think that?"

"Because I was going for a walk last night and on my walk I saw the two of you kissing so I shadow traveled away because I didn't think it was any of my business."

"Your right it isn't your business, but if you had continued your walk for a bit longer you would have seen me reject Derick because I only think of him as a friend, so maybe you shouldn't jump to conclusions so fast."

"Really?" I sighed out of frustration I can't believe I actually came here. What was I thinking?

"Yes, so nothing is wrong with you?"

"No, you can go now I guess."

"Alright then. I will." I turned on my heals and began to walk away when all of the sudden in the distance I heard the whole camps outburst. I had no idea what was going on, but I ran toward it. I turned over to see Nico beside me.

"You know I could always just shadow travel us both there."

"Right I forgot." He smirked as he grabbed hold of my waist and dragged me into the shadows. He brought me through the whirlwind of darkness and out again by the bonfire where a redheaded girl was standing next to another girl that I couldn't really distinguish much of, but when I looked above her head she had the symbol of Atlas. Another demi-titan I thought to myself. I wonder what's going to happen now. Nico grabbed my hand and pulled the both of us closer to the two girls who were now surrounded by the head cabin mates, Chiron, and Dionysus. Nico apparently recognized the red head immediately.

"Rachel. What's going on?" The fiery red head turned to us and smiled.

"Oh nothing just bringing in a half blood that I found. She's great you know. I can just tell we'll be best friends!" She then turned to me and her eyes grew foggy the green that was there dissipated and she began to speak in a scratchy tone.

"The one who has for so long been hidden,

Will come forth and be problem ridden,

Hurt and betrayed she will leave,

To cry upon another's sleeve,

A great decision she will make,

But one must ask at what stake

A love struck hero will arise

Or let her become the gods' demise" The girl who apparently is named Rachel then proceeded to pass out. I was left awe struck. Was she the oracle? Was that the prophecy I was apart of? Everyone turned to look at us while Nico went to take Rachel to the infirmary. I glanced at all the faces before me transitioning between them all when all of the sudden I stopped on one. I almost choked on my own breath when I saw who the mystery girl who had been claimed by Atlas was. With all the strength I had left in me I was able to whisper her name, "Kaylee." I then followed the great oracle and passed out.

SO APPARENTLY HAVING A SOCIAL LIFE KIND OF SUCKS AND MAKES YOU BUSY ALL THE FREAKING TIME. SORRY I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO UPDATE AND I WILL DO MY BEST TO TRY AS HARD AS I CAN IT'S JUST THAT I HAVE LIKE NO FREE TIME ANYMORE. PLEASE BARE WITH ME AND MAYBE REVIEW? ANY WAY HOPE YOU HAD FUN? CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOU AGAIN HOPEFULLY SOON!