Kayla's POV:

I walked into the clearing, pushing a curtain of green to the side, looking out to spot the glittery unusually bright aquamarine pool. I walked forward, shivering at the bitter gust of wind that flew through the trees.

My hair flew to the side, wind biting my cheeks and nose rosy pink.

I looked around, not seeing Aaron anywhere.

I sighed, zipping my jacket to my neck, and tossing the hood over my long brown hair as I walked forward and sat down, cross-legged, near the shore of the pond, my legs brushing against the sand.

I closed my eyes, breathing in the scent of autumn, which was odd with it being only August. I breathed deeply, holding my hand up unconsciously.

I peeked an eye open and smiled faintly.

In the air, was a neon blue-green serpent of water, curling around in the air, like a baby snake. It hissed against the air, as if the cold was burning it.

I heard a chuckle and my head shot up, my concentration breaking.

I watched the water burst into water droplets and plink against the once-smooth surface.

I turned my head, my hair swishing to the side.

Aaron smiled at me as he walked over and sat down beside me, leaning back on his hands as he laid his legs in the sand lazily. He gave me a smile, which I returned with a raised eyebrow.

His smile slightly drooped. "What?"

I shrugged and turned my head away, gazing at the water.

"So," I started. "Why'd you choose this place?"

"We had our first kiss," He said, as if that explained everything.

"You also almost died," I added.

He frowned slightly. "Oh. Yeah. But, the burn wasn't fatal, you know."

I nodded. "Yeah. But, it must've hurt."

He nodded, staring at the water. "It did."

I unfolded my legs, getting irritated.

The watering hole wasn't an ideal date, ever.

Aaron wasn't stupid—he wouldn't come back here alone, let alone bring me with him.

Something was up and if I didn't find out, I was going to do something stupid until he cracked.

I sat forward, digging my hands under a pile of sand.

He glanced at me. "What's wrong?"

I didn't answer with words.

I answered with actions.

I stood up, flicking sand from my hands as I walked around the edge of the hole.

Aaron watched me warily. "Kayla. Don't."

I glanced back at him. "Why not?"

Aaron stood up as I walked some more, which made it harder to balance, as the edge got steeper.

"Kayla," Aaron warned.

"Yes?" I asked, turning my head to stare at him.

He walked closer, looking at me with his confused blue eyes.

"What are you trying to do?" He asked.

I shrugged. "I'll answer that after you answer this."

I walked up some more, balancing on one leg.

"Why'd we really come here?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

Aaron looked at me, seeming more confused. "What do you mean? We came for a date, Kayla!"

I rolled my eyes. "I'm not stupid. There's clearly something weird going on. I mean, I can't be the only one who realized that you have a nervous twitch to your eye."

As if on cue, Aaron's left eye twitched slightly.

He sighed heavily. "There's… something I need you to do."

I smiled. "Finally." I placed my other foot down. "What is it?"

Aaron didn't answer for a while. "…There's something under the water that someone I know needs."

"And, you need someone who can withstand the pressure to get down there," I finished up. Aaron nodded solemnly. I tried to pull off that I wasn't hurt over the fact that he lied to me, as I said, with extra false enthusiasm, "Well, you should've just asked, silly!"

Aaron noticed my forced smile as I jumped from where I was standing. "I'll just hop right into the water and grab whatever the Hades you need, how bout that?"

Aaron stared at the ground, ashamed. "I know you're being sarcastic. The reason he wants what is down there is because there's something that's rightfully yours in the piles of gold."

"Great," I muttered, knowing I didn't have to pretend I was happy with this anymore. "What's down there?"

He glanced up to stare at me. "Pandora's box."

I perked an eyebrow. "You mean, the Pandora's box, from the myth? The one she—I, whatever—opened?"

Aaron nodded. "It's down there. The guy I know wants it to steal it away so you can't get it. Which is why … you have to find it and keep it safe and far away from him. It's rightfully yours. A gift from my father."

I stared at him. "And … what if you're lying and it's not there?"

His blue eyes glistened in hurt.

"It has to be there. No one else could've ever taken it. It's been down there since … since Pandora was killed."

Aaron's words hung in the air.

"But… I didn't think she ever died. I thought she was immortal," I said, confused.

He shook his head. "Her husband, Epimetheus, Titan of afterthought, father of excuses, got the same punishment as his brother, Prometheus, for giving the mortals fire. Except… Instead of losing his freedom, he lost his love."

I gasped. "That's cruel. Why would they do such a thing?"

Aaron turned his head to stare at me. "Epimetheus caused his brother to steal the fire. He made his brothers' creation, mankind, helpless by using up all the gifts he could have used for them. Pandora was supposed to be a punishment sent by Zeus. But, instead, she became Epimetheus' wife. It angered Zeus that, after so much precaution, his plan had failed."

I stared at him. "Why do you know so much of this myth?"

He shrugged. "Why do you know so little?"

I punched him as hard as I could.

I bit back the yelp as my fist collided with his shoulderblade.

He chuckled. "Did that hurt?"

I glared at him. "No. Not at all."

He laughed, grabbing my hand and kissing my knuckles. "Better?" He asked, smirking.

I nodded, smiling, until I felt guilt nag at the edge of my mind.

My fingers slid to my heart charm on the necklace Aphrodite had given me.

"Um, so, uh, do you want me to go get the thing?" I asked quickly to change the subject, standing up aburtly.

Aaron looked surprised. "Um, yeah, but it could—"

"Okay! I'll just go get it real quick!" I garbled quickly, ripping my hand from his grip and walking toward the water, dipping my shoes into the waves.

Aaron stood up. "Kayla, wait—"

Without a second thought, I submerged myself into the blue depths of the water until my head was under.

Guys, I am so, so, so, so, so, so, so SOOO sorry for not updating.

I feel like a butt…

But, review anyways, because this butt needs moral support to update.