Promise me

Zoe wouldn't even look at Michael. No matter how much he tried, she wouldn't dare to look at him. Every time he would touch her and make her eat the ambrosia, she'd flinch, sensing his pressence. It got so bad, to where Michael didn't even feel like helping her. but with Keith by her side most of the time, Michael had to, knowing he had gained his trust, and had to use it wisely.

To Zoe, she couldn't stand him now. Having the sense to actually leave her here? Was he even her friend? But inside she couldn't say the word hate. She could never hate him, no matter what. She was uncomfortable being vulnerable. Not only to Keith, but Michael as well.

"Hey Michael, what day were you planning on leaving?" Keith finally asked.

"Um, tomorrow morning" He muttered.

"Oh" Keith replied, thinking about the possibilities.

"Why?" Michael asked.

"Oh, no, nothing, I was just asking" He replied.

"Okay" He said simply and left the infirmary. He headed to archery to relieve his fustration. He grabbed his quiver and ignored the staring. He released the bowstring; perfect bullseye. He sighed, thinking how he would've changed that day if he could. He aimed and fired again. Bullseye. Some muttering started and he pulled the arrows from the spot he fired and put it back in the quiver. He shook his head, thinking, 'Don't they have anything better to do?'

He decided to head to his cabin, and grab his old guitar. His back-up stress-reliever and headed to the woods. The only peaceful place that no one muttered, except for the dryads, but he didn't mind theirs, they weren't as taunting and hurtful as the others.

He played some chords, starting off with some songs he knew and managed to kill time that way. After a while of playing he headed back to his cabin, to see an angry Will, and a smiling Kayla holding Will's hand.

"Where have you been?" He demanded.

Michael furrowed his brow, "In the woods, playing my guitar" He gestured.

"Do you know how hard I-we were looking for you?" He announced.

"What?" Michael said aghastly. "You actually care about me all of a sudden?" Michael just had to laugh at that.

"It's no joke Michael," Will replied seriously. "We were getting worried"

"Why?" Michael demanded. "I thought you were happy I was leaving camp for a bit"

Kayla pulled on his wrists, "I told you, Leo doesn't want anyone to know, he didn't mean to tell me" She begged.

"What do you mean?" Michael demanded. Will sighed, not knowing what to do. "What do you mean?" Michael said again.

Suddenly, Will stepped forward and hugged his brother fiercly. Michael squirmed out of his grasp and put his hands in front of him.

"What the Hades?" He exclaimed. Will bit his lip.

"I'm so sorry" He announced thinking about what Kayla announced to him.

"What is up with you? You hated me just earlier" Michael replied, still in shock.

Will chuckled half-heartedly, "We're still brothers Michael, and I'm so sorry for you right now"

"What are you talking about? Just leave me alone" Michael announced stepping back from his brother.

"Can I just tell him, Will?" Kayla asked. Will stared hard and cold. Finally he shook his head.

"No, Leo wouldn't like that"

"Okay, let's go eat dinner" She said pulling Will out of the cabin, but Will stopped her before they went down the porch.

"You wanna come?" Will asked. "You can sit with us"

"No" Michael said a little to fast, still trying to comprehend what he just said.

"Okay" He said kayla dragging him to the pavilion. Michael was focused on what Will was doing, and didn't notice the bright light shining through his cabin.

"Michael" His father's voice replied, jarring Michael back into reality.

"Dad?" He asked. "What are you doing here?"

"I came here to see you, what else?" he said in a calm but akwardly gentle voice.

There was a long silence until Michael spoke up, "I'm going to see mom"

Apollo chuckled, "I know, and I know what happened here a bit earlier"

"Can you please explain?" He begged. Apollo chuckled.

"Yes, Your brother is taking pity on you for once" Apollo reasoned.

"For what? He's always hated me" Michael replied casually.

Apollo's eyes widened and he sat down on Will's bunk.

"Are you sure about that?" Apollo replied. "He loves you, you just don't realize it. When everyone thought we'd lost you in that war three years ago, he was devastated. At the mention of your name or anything related to you, made him break down. He loved you then, and he loves you now"

"You still haven't answered 'why he is pitying me'" Michael said.

"I can not say, nor can anyone else." Apollo muttered.

"Can you at least tell me what it has to deal with?" Michael demanded.

"Ahh," Apollo sighed. "Well, it has to deal with you leaving to see your mother, and of course that nice girl you love; Zoe"

Michael blushed immediately, "So, what does it have to do with anything?"

Apollo chuckled, "A lot. You are leaving Zoe here as you go across the country to see your mother, and you think that is safe?"

"What do you mean safe?" Michael asked, utterly confused.

"You'll find out.." Apollo muttered softly, puting his hand on Michael's knee. "You'll understand soon"

"What do you mean?" he asked.

"It's the rough way, and you may not like it, but you'll understand soon" He replied.

"Dad" He exclaimed. "Why is this so important?

"Because, son, It'll change everyone's lives" He muttered. "I really got to go, Zeus'll kill me, if he finds out I was here"

"Dad?" Michael demanded.

Apollo smiled before leaving, "You'll find out soon" Is all he said before leaving.

Michael nearly screamed in fustration. He was infuriated at everyone not telling him this important thing.

His stomach growled and he forced himself to go to dinner. When he entered it became dead silent. The only sound was the distant constant noise of his heart beat. He sat down near Martika, Leo, Piper, Nikki, and Mya. Once he sat down, he noticed Will and Kayla sitting next to them as well.

Martika stared at him. Unusual, for she'd be eating that apple on her table, he thought. He took a glimpse of the other table, to see more stares. He looked at the others, same thing.

He turned to Leo, "What's going on, man? Why is everyone staring?"

Leo went pale, slowly looking at the table. "Nothing much"

"Martika? Mya? What's going on?" He demanded, the only voice speaking.

Mya shook her head and Martika rolled her eyes. "Dude, it's you. Tomorrow, and what's happening with Zoe. It's quite obvious."

"What?" Michael demanded. "What do you mean?"

"We can't tell you, but Zoe can" Piper said. Leo looked away from the table.

"Leo, what'd you tell Kayla?" He demanded. Leo froze.

"I swear man," He said putting his hand up. "I didn't mean too"

"What'd you say?" He demanded standing up a bit.

Leo was about to speak, but PIper stopped him, "Stop, Michael, just stop, okay?"

"What is it with you guys? I thought it was just Will acting up, do you all know?" Michael demanded, Will looking away.

"Yeah, pretty much," Martika announced. "Except you, and we are all bummed about it too"

Enjoy and Review,

~Percabeth17~