Hello readers!

Letters:

To livingwithobsessions: That's what I was going for, glad you liked it.

To valleylily (Guest): Thank you. I'm glad it's in the "Favorites" section, cuz' that's what I try to achieve!

To Guest ( the one that will die if I don't update faster! D:): I'm glad you thought it was awesome. I'm updating as fast as I can for the sake of you're life! Haha.

To Awesome Annabeth (Guest): I shall continue to update!

To Guest (who commented on my anti-jokes and read "chapter 23 A/N): Thank you so very much. My fingers are toughening up, thank you for the concern, and thanks for reading the A/N's. When people don't it's just a big fat waist of time. So I love it when people do.

I forgot to tell you last chapter that Bagel the beagle was a dog I really used to know when I was 7. He was like a mascot and was a real sweetheart.

Question for you guys: What is you're favorite chapter in my story?

Tongue Twisters: A big black bug bit a big black bear, made the big black bear bleed blood.

Can you imagine an imaginary menagerie manager imagining managing an imaginary menagerie?

Cows graze in groves on grass which grows in grooves in groves.

I wanted to do anti-jokes but I can't remember which ones I've already used, so I'll have to review those later.

Listen to Stairway to Heaven by Led Zepplin. I'm trying to learn it on the guitar and really, it isn't that easy, but I SHALL NOT GIVE UP! Especially since it's for my brother's B-day.

I won't keep you waiting anymore!

Chapter 24: No Time

Will's POV

I slowly opened the door to the forge were I knew Nyssa would be at free hour. Clang, clang, clang! I smiled when I saw Nyssa, brown skin flushed and the furnace making her glint slightly in the room, some brown hairs in her face, going ignored, hammering a celestial bronze, expertly crafted sword, lifting it to make sure it was perfectly straight, without any bends, but she apparently saw a microscopic problem and lowered the sword back on the metal table then began her loud clanging again. Yep, she's definitely better than poetry.

I walked over to her, careful not to bump into any worktables or trip over anything on the floor (nails, screws, some screw drivers, maybe a hammer or two, and a glass eye, which I avoided a great deal). My feet stopped in front of Nyssa and the table she was currently using but she didn't seem to notice me, unless she was just pretending not to see me. "Hey Nyssa." My voice came out squeaky and small with Nyssa's clanging drowning it out (which I was thankful for) so I tried it again," Hey Nyssa." Thankfully, my voice was back to normal, though I did shout a little, to make sure she could hear me. She stopped hammering the sword for a second, gave me a light nod and smile, and then she got back to work with a determined face. Clang! Clang! Clang!

I watched her for a minute, hoping she'd say something to me like, "You want to hang out?" That would have meant I didn't have to die from nervousness in the process of asking her. Though I also would've really loved if she said," You want to go on a date with me that has a 15% chance of not having monsters attacking? Maybe go make out?" The last part was from the perverted part of me… Though it wasn't such a bad suggestion. Oh gods, I must sound like Connor (only I don't embrace or encourage the pervert side of me).

Anyways, Nyssa just continued to be silent and inspected the already perfect looking sword but scowled and started hammering again.

Looks like I'll have to start the conversation. I cleared me throat to make sure girl voice wouldn't come back. "So I just wanted to, uh, invite you to play basketball with me. I hear you've got some serious talent with that sport." I nervously fiddled with my fingers and blushed slightly, praying to my dad, Apollo that she wouldn't turn me down, especially since it took me a week (maybe two or three) to even come this close to her (unless you count the time I comforted her at Beckendorf's shroud). Her hammer stopped above her head and her brown eyes looked at me slightly surprised and I swear her cheeks seemed to get slightly redder.

After lowering her hammer on the table she began fiddling with her red bandana and putting her cocoa hair in another ponytail. Her eyes flew around the room, avoiding me, and then they landed on the sword she was working on and her eyes showed triumphant but maybe a little sad as she looked into my eyes as she told me," No time Will. I've got to work on more weapons. This is the first of many."

I sighed in defeat, not wanting to argue, and nodded sadly as I walked out not wanting her to see me mope. As soon as I was out of her sight my head hung and I leaned against the wall, just under the window of the forge they installed just incase they had to jump out (literally) as fast as possible, and actually, it's saved quite a few hairs on my head, so I'm pretty grateful for it.

I shut my eyes and wondered why she was so desperate for an excuse to get away from me. Did she find me disgusting? Maybe she thinks of me as a self-conceited show off? I try not to be like my d-Uh, never mind. Oh gods, did she see me staring at archery, dinner, and forgery today? If she did then she probably thinks I'm some kind of stalker! She'll never want to go out with a stalker! Or play a game of basketball for that matter!

Giggles, laughter, and yelling interrupted my thoughts and I opened my eyes to see what was going on. It was Katie and the Stolls. Katie was angrily chasing them, screaming for bloody murder, while the two brothers giggled and laughed.

That reminded me of the Stolls always try pranks on her, they never give up, and how Katie is always attempting to get back at them. They never give up… Maybe I shouldn't give up either.

I could just ask her to hang out with me next free time! My happy factor shot up at the thought. "Well that settles it. I'll just have to try again." I muttered as I happily walked (more like skipped) as I went to my cabin, ready to take a small nap.

~ 3 days later ~

"Do you want to have some sword practice with me?" I caught up with Nyssa after lunch.

Her quick response was, "No time. Have to make more arrows and repair the archery targets. If I don't get it done now, you and you're siblings won't be too happy later because you'll just have to polish your bows instead of putting them to action."

"Okay." I frowned and thought," Next time. I'll get her next time."

~ 2 days later ~

"You want to hang out at free time?" I blocked Nyssa's path as she walked out of the forge, surprising her.

"No time. I have to work on a model for your brother James." She nervously skirted around me.

I walked away, upset, promising I would shun James for at least a week.

~ 5 more attempts at getting Nyssa to hang out with him later (3 weeks later)~

I was walking into the forge, absolutely determined to get Nyssa to say she'll hang out with me instead of the same phrase she's been using," No time."

I quickly made my way to Nyssa, who was tinkering with a little US Marine robot, about the size of my foot, with a M16 automatic rifle. The only reason I knew what kind of rifle was because I've used one before (don't ask). "Hi." I greeted now pretty nervous, despite my determination.

"Hey Will." She smiled a little but didn't look up as she out a wire coming out of the soldier's neck, back in.

"What are you working on?" I decided a little small talk before I get to the point.

"A little robot for my little brother Harley. Nothing special." She seemed pleased I was interested and she glanced at me before fiddling with the gun.

I decided to cut to the chase before my confidence flushed away, because I felt like it was fading," I was wondering if you'd like to play some soccer with me." I will hang out with her today. I don't even care if we're doing something I hate.

She hesitated before saying, "Sorry Will. No time."

My unhappy-meter shot up 30% "How come you never have time? It kind of seems like you look for reasons to stay away from me. If you don't want to hang out because you don't like me or something, then tell me, because I've been trying for weeks and having you reject me, no matter how nice you say it, it still bums me out. So please, just tell me the truth." I spoke calmly, looked her in the eye, and waited for her answer.

Nyssa sighed and put down the screwdriver she was going to use and met my gaze. " It's… complicated. I'd rather not get into it."

Poor Nyssa looked pretty guilty and a sad as she gazed at the mini-Marine and maybe just a little angry so I didn't pry. It fact, she looked like she needed a hug. Or to be left alone. I never know what to do when it comes to girls.

I had already made a vow to hang out with Nyssa, so I made a decision, "Well… Can I hang out with you here then? We could build something or maybe I could help you with some work." Usually I don't really like the forge because me + forge = Injuries but if being in one of my most accident-prone places meant the girl I had a huge thing for was talking to me, then I'm happy.

Nyssa fiddled with her signature red bandana, leaving some oil on her forehead, eyes shining brightly, most of her mixed emotions gone, and nervously answered," Sure. It'd be nice to have a little company that isn't made of metal, wires, and lives off of oil."

Most of the time she told me about the Marine robot and I couldn't help but notice that this little piece of machinery was something special. It had multiple purposes that I'm not allowed to spill, because that would ruin its entire "job". Another thing I perceived was when she thought I wasn't looking, she grinned. Hopefully I was the cause. I had the most fun I've ever had near a 1000-degree furnace.

You know, after that day I kind of looked up to the forge. It might have something to do with a certain daughter of Hephaestus usually teaching my classes, it might not. But lets face it; you don't have to be a child of Athena to answer that.

Word Count: 1609

I'm not really sure what to think of this… Whether it's good or bad, I don't know. So I'll leave it up to my lovely followers! Tell me if you liked it. The more reviews, follows, and favorites, the more I want to write.

I was going to have a second story based off "No Time" (as in the phrase) but I forgot it before I could write it out. But I already served one big plate of steak, just forgot the mashed potatoes. Hopefully you understand what I did there.

I love you guys (in a totally friendly way.) and I'll update as soon as I can.

Have a great day/night.