The days felt like weeks, the summer blurred together, yet life continued. We played capture the flag, we trained, we pulled pranks, had a campfire, and so on. A never ending loop.

The closer to doomsday we got, the worse the dreams became. August first was approaching fast and Nyssa giving me the cold shoulder didn't help

The sky was black as ash, yet the stars shone ever so bright. A blurred figure made its way towards me, only it wasn't me. As they got closer I realized it was Phoebe, setting traps in the woods and someone or something was running towards her, not me. It was a boy? No, it was definitely another hunter. As she got closer, I could make out the girl's face, it was Thalia. With her usual short spiky black hair and leather jacket.

''Hey, Phobs you got a letter from Sam!''

She took my letter, but hesitated to open it ''Thalia, how to tell the difference between friendship and love? I think I confused my friendship with Sam for romantic attraction'' she sobbed, leaning gently on a tree

Thalia took Phoebe's hand '' Well normally when you're in love you don't have to ask that question. What's made you reconsider your feelings? ''

She sighed '' Sam's always talking about this girl, Nyssa from Hephaestus cabin. And I kept getting jealous, but not because I think Sam's in love with her, but because it feels like she found a replacement best friend. When I thought about leaving the hunt, I just couldn't do it, but the thought of not being around her doesn't scare me like leaving the hunt does. Thals what do I do?''

'' I don't know. The only person I ever loved romantically tried to kill me and my little sister. I think you should follow your heart''

''This sucks'' she screamed, throwing the letter I'd written her, without even reading it.

Everything changed, the sky became blue again, the trees raised up before my very eyes. Here I was back at camp, the very day I'd arrived.

I hadn't liked that day at the time but when I think back it was actually a really good day. Nyssa and I had just met, we were dancing in the forages.

''And this is the forges-'' ''come on, shake your body do the conga''

And of course I had to join in, I loved that song ''know you can't control yourself any longer''

Nyssa turned to face me, full welding gear on, she removed her face shield. A big grin on her face, she continued to sing. ''Come on, shake your body-''

''-baby, do the conga''

''I'm Nyssa and your are?'' Looking at Will she asked ''A new Apollo kid?''

''We're not sure yet'' he said '' I didn't even know she could sing''

''Aw thanks guys'' I said turning up Nyssa's music ''I like you, I think we're gonna be great friends'' I took her hand and spun her around, dancing to the music. ''I'm Samantha by the way, you can call me Sam''

Will just laughed, ''Come on Sam I show you the rest of camp, then we'll go cabin 11''

I winked and blew Nyssa a kiss ''see ya around'' she just smiled and waved goodbye.

''Wow'' Will whispered ''I haven't seen Nyssa smile like that in a long time''

I haven't seen her smile like that in months, oh how I missed her lovely smile and her free spirit.

My heart skipped a beat, maybe Nyssa was the answer! I'd always felt something for her, but not like Phoebe and if Phoebe was having doubts it wasn't meant to be. I couldn't make her leave the hunt, that wasn't right and if I couldn't be a part of the hunt again then we would never be reunited. I needed to fix things with Nyssa.

I jolted awake.

Plan fix things with Nyssa was a go, also known as plan keep everyone's mind off the up and coming war. Step one, Pollux.

I rushed off to cabin 12, I knocked on the door at least ten times ''Pollux it's me, can I come in?''

It took forever, but finally he opened up ''what?''

I walked in, not even waiting for him to move, I sat on one of the spare beds. Cabin 12 was beautiful, it was made up of white columns covered in vines. With the faintest smell of grapes.

''I need your help'' I gestured for him to sit '' I'm trying to fix things between Nyssa and me, but I don't understand what happened.''

Pollux was doing that thing he does when he gets nervous, tapping his foot on the floor and humming his favourite song. Highway to hell, which by the way didn't really fit his whole nice guy personality.

''You know something'' I decided.

Vines started sprouting at his feet ''I-uh,no idea why she's mad?''

It was really obvious that he was lying, for being a son of Dionysus he was a terrible liar and an even worse poker player.

''Spill it''

He sighed with relief ''okay. Nyssa saw you and Phoebe in the woods, she saw you guys kiss''

'' So? ''

He looked at me like I said something stupid.

That's when it hit me, I did say something stupid.

''Oh''

Pollux touched my arm ''yeah"

We just sat there awkwardly for what felt like forever, I wasn't sure what to say. Pollux just confirmed it, Nyssa had a crush on me and I hurt her by kissing Phoebe. Maybe it was fate, maybe I was just supposed to be alone.

''I could-''

He held his hand up as if to say hold it

''Don't ask her out, please don't hurt her again Sam. She really liked you, and seeing you guys kiss crushed her, that's why she's been so distant. Just being around you hurts her.''

I am a horrible person.

''Pollux just listen okay'' I begged.

I told him about every dream, nightmare and anything in between. I told him my doubts, my worries, my thoughts and my feelings, I poured my heart out. Soon my words flowed into song, a song with such power and emotion. I sang of my adventures with Thalia and Phoebe, falling in love with someone right next to you, but also someone who's a thousand miles away. I sang of my times with Nyssa, our dance parties and pranks, our heart to hearts, our falling out. The pain of losing my best friend, yet again.

Tears silently rolled off his cheek, as he embraced me in a hug.

''Sam, I'm sorry'' he confided, holding me tightly ''you helped me when I had no one, and now it's my turn''

''I think I have an Idea'' I said.

Pollux let go ''okay, what's the plan?''

''I think we should throw a sleepover. It'll help break the ice between me and Nyssa, plus it give people a chance to have fun, take a break from all this war stuff''

He smiled ''That sounds like a great idea''

We talked about who to invite, because we obviously couldn't invite the whole camp. Where it would be and how to get snacks. We agreed on having it in cabin 12, because being the son of Dionysus means he's gotta host a party at some point right?

As for snacks, I knew just the guys.

Picking a guest list was easy, we invited our friend group, my cabin, Katie, the Stolls, and Nyssa of course.

Everyone was in, except Will.

''I'm not sneaking out after curfew'' he cried

''Whatever''

Kayla was sceptical at first, but she agreed.

Austin on the other hand didn't even think twice.

I told Travis and Conner they could only come if they brought snacks, so of course they agreed. A party is a party, and who didn't love to party?

''Hey Pollux'' I whispered as we walked down to the dining pavilion.

''Yeah?''

I stumbled over a rock, tripping into him ''sorry'' I muttered '' Anyways I think we should invite Malcolm, whatcha think?''

He made a confused face ''Why? What would stop him from telling Chiron''

I smiled ''Conner duh. They so like each other, I say we add plan Malconner to the list.''

He got this evil grin ''yes, let's do it''

We sat at our usual table and I got everyone to come sit with us, even Malcolm, you should have seen his face, he looked so confused. I told everyone the plan, and we agreed on meeting at cabin 12 around 10:30 so just after curfew.

''Don't tell'' I urged them, gesturing to our small group.

They all agreed ''Deal''

After that, we all just went back to eating breakfast, I had scrambled eggs and pancakes, yum. Nyssa ate her usual, plain old boring toast, Drew ate some fruit and some of my scrambled eggs. I love the girl, but my scrambled eggs really?! Get your own Drew, it's literally a self serve breakfast.

I finished eating, then made my way back to cabin seven for the usual morning clean up, only our cabin was way more fun because we did it with music. I made my bed, folded my blankets and braided my hair and Kayla's.

''Omg Kylie from Demeter is so cute, like yesterday she put a flower in my hair'' Kayla chatted on and on about this Kylie girl, like we get it Kayla you're in love.

I laughed ''Kayla if you like her that much, ask her out already''

She jerked her head to the side ''what? No, what if she doesn't like me back or what if-'

I couldn't let her go on forever with what if's ''what if she does? Then you're just wasting time by not asking her out''

''Shut up Sam, nobody asked you'' she grumbled.

Well I mean technically you did, but whatever.