A/N: Thalia: (pulling up to the clubhouse) Well, this is it...
Nico: (is sobbing in a corner of the van after being beaten up mercilessly)
Callie: You're so screwed.
Thalia and Camryn: WHAT?
Briar: Well, everyone's gonna be kinda ticked when they realized that you gassed the clubhouse and put the author in a coma only to get Nico back...
Thalia: But...aren't you coming with us?
Callie: Psh. Please. We have lives to get back to. Don't worry, it's been fun...
Briar: ...but, it really sucks to be you guys right now.
Both: See ya! (poof away in a cloud of smoke)
Camryn: Psh. Don't worry. They can't get THAT mad, right?
A FEW MOMENTS LATER
Me: You WHAT?
Everyone: (cracks knuckles)
Thalia: (whispers) You said they wouldn't get mad...
Camryn: I said that they wouldn't get THAT mad...
Me: (boiling) YOU MEAN TO TELL ME THAT YOU RENDERED ME UNCONSCIOUS, GASSED THE CLUBHOUSE, KNOCKED ME OUT FROM BIEBER OVERLOAD, ALMOST KILLED TWO OF MY REVIEWERS, BROKE INTO THE KANE CHRONICLES CLUBHOUSE, AND ALMOST GOT MARRIED, JUST SO YOU COULD GET NICO DI-FREAKING ANGELO BACK?
Camryn: Uhhhh...yes?
Me: (glares) ROCHELLE!
Rochelle: (poofs in) Im'ma slap them into next week. (gives me her wig) Hold ma wig.
Thalia and Camryn: o.o Mommy.
Michael gently pressed his fingers under Alyssa's chin. "Lift it a little higher. It helps your upper back."
Alyssa complied and closed her eyes as she began to play her Mozart piece again. Michael couldn't help smiling. She was so beautiful, and vibrant.
At least, when they were alone.
When they practiced with each other, early on weekday mornings, he didn't have to act like his brothers anymore. He could just...shut up for once, and listen to her instead.
Whenever she talked, her eyes would sparkle. She would rattle on about things for such long periods of time, knowing small bits of trivia about the stupidest things, talking about her latest drawings, her plans for pictures she wanted to take...everything that came to her mind, she told him.
But, outside the woods, they were polar opposites. Her soft lips only moved when needed, and he would be the son of Apollo he was expected to be: attractive, arrogant, a flirt...everything he hated.
And he knew she hated it too. Every time he made the slightest pass at her, she would give him an icy glare so fierce it could shame Artemis herself.
He had felt the anger most at the rematch. The song was simple: Starstrukk by 3OH!3 featuring Katy Perry. He hadn't thought much of it when his cabin chose him to sing, really,
Until he had seen her.
Black high heels. Short white skirt. Cherry red tank top, the neckline plunged low. Blood red lipstick. Thick layered mascara. Pin straight hair.
He had almost tasted the lipstick. She had been brutal, leading him in a fierce, complicated dance, her heels toying with his simple Converse.
The words had hurt. She had meant every lyric she sang.
His victory was bittersweet.
After that, they never spoke in public again. Their only conversations were entertained the the woods, in the company of naiads, dryads, and satyrs.
He sighed, the dirt of the bank oozing into his fingernails. He was sick of hiding. Sick of playing the part he wasn't casted for. Sick of Alyssa's sickening glare.
It was going to end.
Today.
It was a stupid idea, really. One that would probably publicly humiliate him and make Alyssa curse his name forever.
He smirked to himself. Perfect.
Michael then felt a tapping on his shoulder. Alyssa had stopped playing and was giving him a questioning look, only raising one perfectly shaped eyebrow.
"Hey. You okay? You were staring into space again."
He stared, then nodded. "Oh yeah, I'm fine." He then ran a hand through his dirty blonde hair. "It's Apollo v. Aphrodite today, right?"
Alyssa nodded. "Yeah."
Michael grinned. "Good."
Miranda slapped a hand over her mouth in embarrassment. She had just snorted in her laugh.
Again.
Jake laughed as he kicked a rock with sneaker. Miranda blushed.
"Wow, I laugh like a nerd, don't I?" The young goddess said sheepishly.
Jake rolled his eyes and pushed his glasses on his nose. "Are you serious? I'm like, the ultra nerd and I don't laugh like that. Fail. Fail, right there."
Miranda punched him in the gut. "Quiet, you," she said playfully, her brown eyes shining. "Gods, you're so mean."
The son of Hephaestus looped an arm around her waist. "You don't mean that," he whispered playfully in her ear. They played this game with each other so often now.
Miranda laughed and tried to wriggle out of his grip. "Yes I do! Now...let...me...go..."
Jake held on her tighter, trying to not to laugh as she tickled his stomach in a futile attempt let her go. Then, Miranda stopped.
"Do you hear that?" she whispered. She finally pushed herself out of his grip.
Jake closed his eyes. "It's sounds like a pegasus." His long eyelashes blinked rapidly as he ran towards the stables, Miranda following close behind.
After locating the stall, he threw the door open to a scary sight. A tan colored mare was pacing frantically, her coat matted with sweat and dirt, and liquid seeping out between her legs.
Jake felt his heartbeat quicken. Miranda rushed forward, her camp shirt sweaty and her hair plastered to her forehead.
She gasped. "Is she..."
Jake nodded. "Definitely. The foal should be dropped soon."
Miranda closed her eyes. "I don't like the way she's acting." She chewed her bottom lip. "Get her out of the stable. Something's not right."
Jake opened the latch, stroking the mare's cheek, leading her out slowly. Once they had enough room, they both looked between the pegasus' legs.
Jake shook his head. "The foal's body is twisted."
Miranda pulled her hair into a ponytail. "Luckily, it's not that far. We'll to get it out manually."
Jake raised an eyebrow, impressed that a daughter of Aphrodite was willing to get her hands dirty. "Okay then. I'll reach up there first, and then I'll call you for help."
Miranda flashed him a smile. "Got it."
Jake felt a blush rise to his cheeks, but tried to ignore it. He pushed his glasses on top of his nose, yet again, and inserted his hands in the birth canal.
It was pretty slimy and gross, but he was used to working with horses, with all the summers he had spent at his aunt Martha's farm. After ten painful minutes, he had pulled the foal's legs in and turned it partially. He then motioned for Miranda to help, and she dove in with no hesitation. The two both tried not to blush as their fingers touched on more than one occasion.
After what seemed like ages, the foal finally dropped. Jake sat back and sighed as the mare nuzzled her child. Miranda smiled in fascination as the foal trotted over weakly and licked her face, causing her to giggle.
Jake stared at the girl in front of him. Her jeans were ripped with dried food stains. Her shoes were covered in sharpie. Her camp T shirt was rumpled and less than flattering, and her hair was uncombed, lying flat against her face, and her hands were covered in amniotic fluid.
He had never seen a girl look more beautiful in his life.
Miranda turned and flashed him another one of her winning smiles. "She sure is beautiful, isn't she?"
Jake put a sticky hand on hers. "Yeah." He smiled softly at the girl next to her. "But I've seen prettier things,"
Miranda smirked. "Oh, really?" She leaned in, so their noses were touching.
He smiled. "Definitely."
Before he could stop himself, he placed a hand on her sweaty cheek and pressed his lips against hers in a gentle kiss.
His heart felt ready to explode out of his chest. He feared she would push him away, and he would feel the bitter taste of rejection once again. But Miranda instead smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss. Jake felt his lips form into a small smile just before they broke apart, breathing heavily.
Their faces both resembles the distinct color of Hot Tamales as the turned away from each other.
"Uhh..." Jake stammered, struggling to make the situation less awkward.
"That...was...amazing..." Miranda whispered, an idiotic smile spreading on her face.
Jake nearly choked on his spit. "Huh?"
Miranda realized what she had said, and scratched the back of her neck.
"Well...uh...sure...you're a...good...kisser..." She dug her fist into the ground, frustrated. She grabbed Jake's collar, forcing him to look into her eyes.
"Dude. Let's stop this, okay?" She poked him in the chest. "Look. I like you, and you like me. But, you're scared of me, because you think I'm fickle and air headed, and I'll leave you once a cuter guy comes along, just like my half sister did last year, right?"
Jake bit his lip in embarrassment. "You...remembered when I told you that?"
Miranda smiled and whacked him playfully in the forehead. "You think what you tell me goes in one ear and out the other?" She shook her head. "I'm not like that. Just because you can't control me doesn't mean I'm unfaithful."
Jake smiled in spite of himself. "So...you actually want to go out with me?"
Miranda leaned in and kissed him again. "Does that answer your question?"
Jake smirked, knowing that somewhere in Olympus, Aphrodite was screaming I told you so, and replied his girlfriend's question with no words, but a kiss of his own.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" JT asked Michael for the seventeenth time.
Michael slammed his head against the white and black keys of the piano. "YES. Yes. I'm. Sure." He waved his hand dismissively. "Every time you ask only makes it worse, Josh."
The quarter blood winced at the use of his full name. "Fine, fine." He shrugged. "I'm just saying, it's pretty stupid..."
Aphrodite's chirpy voice over her sparkly megaphone cut him off. He then nodded at a few fellow campers, who ran off to retrieve their special guest.
Michael took a deep breath as the love goddess yelled for the competition to begin.
It's now or never...
His fingers began to fly over the piano keys as he leaned into the microphone and began to sing. His fellow campers and some Aphrodite campers coalesced around the piano, frozen in position, ready to dance.
Oh yeah. They stepped it up.
[Everyone]:
Woe oh, oh, oh!
The campers clapped and stepped to the beat with methodical rhythm.
Woe oh, oh, oh!
[Michael]:
I kinda feel like it don't make, like it don't make
Feel like it don't make sense
I'm thinking baby you and I are undeniable
But I'm finding out love's unreliable
I'm giving all I got to make you stay
Or am I just a roadblock in your way?...
Gods, he hoped she would come soon.
Meanwhile, Alyssa sat in the doorway of the Athena cabin, drawing a quick profile sketch of Annabeth with a charcoal pencil. Suddenly, Miranda ran up, breathing heavily.
She grabbed her sister's hand. "Come on!"
"Wait, where are we going?" The sixteen year old cried. She then noticed Miranda's hands were wet. "And what the Hades is on your hands?"
"Pegasus liquids," she replied matter of factly.
"Ew!" Alyssa shrieked. "Ew, ew, let go of me!"
Miranda smiled. "Okay." She then twisted her arm and spun Alyssa straight into Taps.
"Hey!" The daughter of Aphrodite greeted Alyssa cheerfully. "Did I tell you about what happened to me last night? So, I was just minding my own business, and blah, blah blah blah, blah blah blah..."
Alyssa began to back away slowly in order to escape from what she thought was a rather dull conversation, when she suddenly tripped and fell into something not so soft.
Daniella smiled down at her. "Hey. So, how's it going?"
Alyssa gave her a look as the thing she was in began to move. "I don't know," she replied sarcastically. "How do you think it's going?"
Daniella laughed and continued pushing the wheelbarrow until she reached the amphitheater and shoved it forward, causing Alyssa to roll rather ungracefully into the middle of the Apollo and Aphrodite battle.
Even so, she couldn't help smiling as she heard Michael singing. She tried to dust herself and leave, but she realized that large groups of people were blocking her way.
Something is seriously up... She though. Since she was blocked, Alyssa could only stand, listen to the music, and wait for a way to get out.
[Michael]:
...'Cause I got some intuition
Or maybe I'm superstitious
But I think you're a pretty sweet pill that I'm swallowing down
To counter this addiction
You got me on a mission
Tell me darling can I get a break, some how
Could I say no?
Everyone stopped an pointed at Alyssa. Michael grabbed the microphone and stood on top of the piano, making Alyssa's mouth drop open and her sketchpad drop to the floor.
She's got a love like woe (Woe oh oh oh)
Girl's got a love like woe (Woe oh oh oh)
(Ba da da)
I kinda feel like it don't make sense
Because you're bringing me in
And now you're kicking me out again
Love so strong (Woe oh oh oh)
Then you moved on (Woe oh oh oh)
Now I'm hung up in suspense
Because you're bringing me in
And then you're kicking me out again
Alyssa blushed. Wow, he's actually singing to me. ME! Wow, fan girlish much? Hm. I never noticed how empty my head sounds. Hello. Helloooo...
Wow. Fail at trying to distract yourself...
Michael grinned. His plan was actually working. JT gave him an encouraging nod and took the microphone.
[JT]:
It's like a hurricane
Speed train
She's a moving car
Go catch her in the fast lane
Oh I gotta know
Can I keep up with her pace?
Kickin' into gear when I see that face
[Michael]:
You can take up all my time 'cause you're the only one
That can make a storm cloud break
Pulling out the sun
And I can't get caught in the rain
Can I get your lips to speak my name?
He jumped down from the piano and began to walk towards the girl in front of him, his heart beating wildly. Alyssa's heart, meanwhile was ready to throw itself out of her ribcage.
[Both]:
'Cause I got some intuition
Or maybe I'm superstitious
But I think you're a pretty sweet pill that I'm swallowing down
To counter this addiction
You got me on a mission
Tell me darling can I get a break, some how
Could I say no?
A smile began to spread across Alyssa's face as Michael winked at her.
She's got a love like woe (Woe oh oh oh)
Girl's got a love like woe (Woe oh oh oh
(Ba da da)
I kinda feel like it don't make sense
'Cause you're bringing me in
And now you're kicking me out again
He then grabbed her hand and twirled the girl as if they were doing a tango.
Love so strong (Woe oh oh oh)
Then you moved on (Woe oh oh oh)
Now I'm hung up in suspense
Because you're bringing me in
And then you're kicking me out again
Michael then looped his hands around Alyssa's and pressed his forehead against hers, making Alyssa's breath catch in her throat.
Because we only have one life
The timing and the moment
All seem so right
So would you say you're mine? (We'll be just fine)
Would you say you're mine? (We'll be just fine)
Alyssa stood on her tiptoes, tempted to give him a peck on the lips, but could only press her forehead to his.
She's got a love like woe (Woe oh oh oh)
Girl's got a love like woe (Woe oh oh oh)
(Ba da da)
I gotta feel like it don't make sense
'Cause you're bringing me in
And now you're kicking me out again
Love so strong (Woe oh oh oh)
Then you moved on (Woe oh oh oh)
Now I'm hung up in suspense
Because you're bringing me in
And then you're kicking me out again
Michael grabbed Alyssa's hand and led her to the piano and sat next to her, holding her hand for all to see.
She's got a love like woe (Woe oh oh oh)
Girl's got a love like woe (Woe oh oh oh)
(Ba da da)
I kinda feel like it don't make sense
'Cause you're bringing me in
And now you're kicking me out again
Love so strong (Woe oh oh oh)
Then you moved on (Woe oh oh oh)
Now I'm hung up in suspense
Because you're bringing me in
And then you're kicking me out again
Everyone cheered as the song ended. Aphrodite had a giddy smile on her face, waiting to see what would happen next.
Michael cleared his throat, his hands shaking from nervousness, and put the microphone to his lips. Alyssa gave him a crooked smile.
He inhaled. "Alyssa," he began. "I...I..."
He couldn't think of any words to say. But somehow, that was enough for the girl sitting next to him, for she simply placed a finger over his lips.
"Ah, ah, ah," she said into the microphone. "You talk too much as it is, and I don't think you need to say anything else, since you practically sang to me in front of the whole camp." She shook her head, her lips forming a smirk. "No, it's my turn."
With that, she grabbed into the son of Apollo's collar and pulled him into a kiss. Wolf whistles and cat calls echoed throughout the whole amphitheater as Michael kissed her back with equal force.
As soon as the two broke apart, Alyssa slid down from the piano and gave Michael a cocky smile.
"Well, are you coming?" she asked simply. "We never finished our violin lesson this morning."
A few of the Apollo campers gave Michael weird looks, but at this point he couldn't care less. He didn't need to put on an act anymore.
"Definitely," he replied, and, not waiting to hear the scores, and grabbed Alyssa's hand, laughing as they both ran to the woods.
Night had fallen. The air was warm and sticky.
Jake sat on the shore of Long Island Sound, his bare toes floating in the water, his sandy blonde hair covering his chocolate eyes.
He bit his lip. Rachel had been avoiding him lately, as if he had done something wrong. He wished he knew.
All he knew was, it hurt.
As the summer had gone by, Jake had been feeling a need to be with Rachel more and more. He liked the way she wasn't fazed by much, he liked her marker stained jeans, the bridge of freckles across her nose...
And her smile. How it seemed so perfect on her paint splotched face, with her chipped front tooth only making her cuter.
He sighed. Gods. Rachel had been his best friend for a long time. A.J. had always joked that the two would get together one day, but...
He stuck his fist in the sand, the tiny grains digging into the spaces under his fingernails.
"Sure is hard, isn't it?"
Jake whirled around to see his father sitting next to him, leaning casually on a sand dune. He twirled his trademark Ray-Bans around his finger, a soft smile across his lips.
"Father," Jake murmured, his tongue about the same consistency of sandpaper.
Apollo waved his hand passively. " 'Dad' will do just fine, thanks."
Jake felt his cheeks redden. He still wasn't very open to the fact that the man he had been living at home with for eighteen years wasn't actually his dad, but this...boy...who could pass for his brother was.
Eighteen years was a long time to keep a secret.
Apollo raised his hands as if in a mock surrender. "Sorry about that. Do you want me to look older?"
Jake nearly choked on his spit. "How did you..."
Apollo shrugged. "Hey, I'm a god. I do that kind of thing." He then set his sunglasses on his forehead and grabbed a clump of sand. "So," he said as the sand ran through his fingers, "I hear you have problems with my Oracle."
Jake bristled. "She's also my best friend, who's been avoiding me, thank you very much."
The sun god raised an eyebrow. "Does it have anything to do with a kiss with a certain daughter of Aphrodite?"
Jake blinked. His head suddenly hurt as he remembered the incident.
"Oh, gods..." He shook his head slowly, his cheeks heating up.
Apollo nodded. "That is the dangerous power of charmspeaking." He shuddered. "Children of Aphrodite can be more vicious than they look."
Jake bit the inside of his cheek. "But, that would mean...I mean...if it made her that upset..." His heart thudded in his chest. "Rachel...she...she..."
Apollo shook his head again. "We're not talking about Rachel now," he said simply. He then stared into his son's eyes. "Why does it hurt so much when she avoids you?"
Jake stared into his father's sky blue eyes, the truth sinking in like poison. He looked down, embarrassed.
"You are the god of prophecy," was all that the demigod could answer. "You already know." He then raised an eyebrow. "Did Aphrodite put you up to this?"
Apollo smirked. "I have to be involved with anything that concerns my virgin Oracle."
Jake winced at the word virgin.
"Why must the Oracle of Delphi remain a virgin, anyway?" he asked, slightly irritated.
Apollo sighed, blowing a strand a hair from his face.
"Men are distracting," he replied. He then raised an eyebrow at his son. "But, when a prophet is involved..."
Jake's heart began to race. "What exactly are you getting at?"
Apollo grinned. "The reason I came here." He then sat straight up. "Jacob David Michaelson, one of my many numerous sons, I give you permission to date the Oracle of Delphi." Here, he smirked. "You're welcome."
Jake stared at his father for a full minute, dumbfounded, then burst into laughter.
Apollo blinked. "What?"
Jake grinned for the first time that evening. "No...no...it's just kind of ironic...you kind of act like Rachel's your daughter..."
Apollo nodded, then began to form a ball of light in his hands.
"Most things in life are," he replied as he pressed the light into his son's hands. The glow died to reveal a new iTouch with blue Skull Candy earphones.
Jake blinked. "What..."
"It's name is Thunder," Apollo said, grinning. "Double click the home button."
The boy replied, and in a flash of light, he held a bright celestial bronze bow in his hands, a leather quiver at his back filled with arrows of Stygian ice.
Jake's mouth fell open. "Whoa..." He looked at his father with gratitude. "Thank you."
Apollo stood up, ready to leave. "No prob," he said nonchalantly, then began to walk away. Then, he stopped and turned.
"Jake. You know I care about you, right?"
Jake paused, and felt a small smile twitch on his lips as he nodded slowly.
Apollo smiled. "Good."
And with that, he dissipated into laurel leaves, leaving his son with a new Apple device, a weapon, and a choice.
A/N: Awwww! Father/son moment!
And I'm really really sorry, but I SUCK at romance. Especially the kissing scenes.
Aphrodite: (singsong) Because she's never been kissed before...
Me: (hits Aphrodite with an anvil while sobbing) WHY MUST YOU CURSE MY LOVE LIFE SO MUCH? ARE YOU RACIST OR SOMETHING...I...mean...Psh! I d-don't need a boyfriend...to feel...loved...or anything... OH WHO AM I KIDDING! (sobs)
Piper: O.o Uh...yeah, so if you guys...could...leave her some romance writing tips...that would be great...geez, this is awkward...(tries to comfort me) Oh, it's okay...
Me: -_- You have a boyfriend. Don't talk to me.
Piper: Oookay...
And also, if you could leave some ideas for the Disclaimer Show, that would be great! Peace!