Annabeth had fully intended on being the one to drive from the train station to the wedding venue, but their rental car had ended up being a vintage stick shift convertible — one which she did not know how to drive. Percy, ever the gentleman, took the wheel as Annabeth guided him through the twists and turns of the Montauk backroads.

By the time they had gathered their luggage and figured out the car situation, the sun had long set. Annabeth was quite enjoying the way the cool night air whipped through her curls as Percy drove. June weather was much more bearable outside of the city.

"It's that turn up ahead, at the hill with that big pine tree." Annabeth guided Percy as he switched his headlights to bright.

Percy turned onto a gravel road, the headlights illuminating a worn wooden sign.

Camp Half-Blood

"So this is where the wedding is going to be? A summer camp?"

Annabeth nodded, gazing up at the pine tree. "Yeah, we all used to go here. Every summer since I was seven. It's where Jason and Piper met, it just seemed right." Her voice softened, "And all of our friends are coming back like a big reunion. That's why we're here a couple days early, a couple pre-wedding festivities at our favorite place."

Annabeth breathed in the sweet air from the strawberry fields at the back of camp that reminded her so much of her childhood and happiness and home. It was perfect that her best friend was going to get married to her other best friend at their favorite place in the whole world. Annabeth smiled. She almost didn't mind she had hired a stranger to take to camp.

"You can park there," Annabeth said, leaning forward in her seat and pointing ahead. She was getting so excited. Lights from windows shone up ahead out of large, blue house with white trim and a wraparound porch. "That's the Big House."

Annabeth was already unbuckled and out of the door before Percy even fully put the car into park. He watched as she bounded up the front porch steps.

"Annabeth, my dear! How are you?"

In the darkness of the evening, Percy hadn't noticed a man in a wheelchair sitting on the porch. Annabeth threw her arms around him, "Chiron!"

"Was your train delayed? We expected you ages ago."

Percy followed Annabeth up the steps to the pair as Annabeth recounted their journey. Annabeth turned to face him. He couldn't help but notice the smile that had broken across her face as soon as Annabeth had seen the man. Percy also noticed the smile flicker when her eyes rested upon him. "Chiron, this is my, er, boyfriend, Percy. Percy, this is Chiron, our old camp director."

Percy shook his hand, "Nice to meet you, sir."

"You as well, great to meet you, Percy. Is that short for Perseus?" Chiron had a kind face and crinkles by his eyes. It was the face of someone wise.

"It is, sir. My mom picked it, she liked his story."

"It's the name of a hero. Perfect fit for someone for our Annabeth."

Annabeth scoffed, "Chiron, stop." But Percy heard nothing but affection for the man in her voice. "Where is everyone?" She asked, following Chiron into the Big House as he wheeled inside. Percy followed.

"I'm afraid everyone retired right after dinner. A long, tiring day of traveling for most of them. Not to worry though, you'll see everyone at brunch. The Romans arrive tomorrow morning."

"The Romans are what Chiron calls the campers from our sister camp, Camp Jupiter," Annabeth explained as Chiron lead them into what Percy assumed was the camp office. The walls of the office were covered in photographs, some yellowed with age and some clearly taken on smart phone cameras, of kids dressed in orange T-shirts — images of bonfires, archery, games in the woods, swimming in a lake. Percy studied them as Chiron rummaged around a drawer of what sounded like keys.

"So I'm in Cabin 6 I assume, Chiron?" Annabeth leaned on the desk, "And Percy in one of the guest rooms here? Or in Cabin 11? " She glanced at him. "Sorry, Percy. Camp rules," Annabeth said, breezily. "No significant others in the same cabin."

"Actually, Annabeth," Chiron said, "Since the regular campers are off this week on their field trip into the city, we were able to make some special arrangements for the wedding. You're all adults now, after all. He held out his hand with a bronze key on a ring with a '3' painted on a seashell keychain. "I had the staff set up Cabin 3 as a guest room for you."

"Oh," She stared at Chiron's open palm for a moment before taking it from him, "Great. Thank you." She made brief eye contact with Percy. "Let's go then I guess."

"Goodnight, Annabeth. Nice to meet you, Percy. Get some rest tonight, full day tomorrow!"

Percy walked back over to the car to unload their luggage. He lifted his duffle bag onto his shoulder. Annabeth reached for her suitcase, but Percy hoisted it up off the ground as well, "I got it, just lead the way."

Camp Half-Blood was a beautiful space, and it was a crystal clear summer night. As they walked to the edge of the hill that the Big House sat on, Percy could see the moon sparkling off the waves of the Long Island Sound. Below the hill, in the valley, Percy saw a U-shape of twelve cabins of all different shapes and sizes, and, at the tips of the U, a couple smaller cabins.

"The first twelve are the original ones from when we attended here. The minor ones on the end are new. For all the new campers." Annabeth pointed to the first cabin on the left arm of the U, "That's the one we're staying at." She led Percy down the path into the valley

"Cabin 3," Percy read aloud the sign on top of the cabin as Annabeth unlocked the door. Contrary to the two-story cabins next to it, Cabin 3 was a long and solid and looked like it belonged at the edge of a beach. The outer walls were a rough gray texture with seashells embedded in the exterior. Annabeth pushed the door open and Percy followed her inside with their luggage.

"Wow." They both said at once.

The inside was dark and cool, the walls made out of an abalone looking material that almost seemed to glow. There was a fountain of a fish that bubbled in the corner, various dressers and nightstands, and a single queen bed with the headboard against the wall.

Annabeth eyed the bed. "No one really ever stayed in this cabin when we went here. This is actually the first time I've been inside. I thought every cabin had bunk beds."

Percy had tossed his duffle bag onto the ground, already beginning to unpack his clothes into a dresser while Annabeth surveyed the room. "It's nice. Do you mind if I use the bathroom first? That was a long train ride."

"Go ahead," Annabeth said, sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Are you a morning showerer or a night showerer?"

"Night."

"Perfect, I'm a morning showerer," Percy grinned.

Annabeth was slightly annoyed at how chill Percy was when almost every word they exchanged had her flushing.

When Percy came back out of the bathroom, teeth brushed and in pajamas, Annabeth was almost done constructing her Great Wall of Pillows down the center of their bed. He stared at it.

"I just thought that since there's only one bed—" Annabeth started.

"No, no," Percy said, "This is fine, whatever you're comfortable with. I can sleep on the floor."

"No, that's what the pillow wall is for," Annabeth said, motioning to her her construction.

Percy shrugged and shoved his dirty clothes into one of the empty drawers before sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Also," Annabeth said, "Before I forget." She walked over to his side of the bed and handed him a thick envelope, "Two thousand dollars. It's all there."

Now it was Percy who was blushing. "Thanks." He took the envelope from her and shoved it into his bag.

"Aren't you going to count it?"

"I trust you."

"Oh, well, okay, then." Annabeth stood in front of him for a moment. "I'm just gonna shower then."

This was definitely one of the top five longest showers Annabeth ever took. The bathroom in their cabin only had a single shower, toilet, and sink—unlike Cabin 6 from her childhood that had a communal bathroom with many stalls and showers and a line of sinks to accommodate all of her bunkmates.

She let the steam and hot water wash over her, desperately trying to wash away the nerves and guilt and overall queasiness from this whole situation. Percy was a great guy, and she felt so far that she could rely on him this weekend. But just the thought of seeing Luke at all even with her fake boyfriend as a shield…

When the water started to run cold, she stepped out to dry off. Her lemon scented shampoo made the bathroom smell pleasant and familiar.

After she completed her hair routine (towel dry, mousse, scrunch) and hung up her outfit for the morning, Annabeth stepped back into the main cabin. The fountain still bubbled in the corner.

Percy was passed out on his side of the bed, already gently snoring. His arm was draped over the pillow barrier and spilling over onto her side. He looked so peaceful, his face completely relaxed and innocent in his slumber. Annabeth wanted to reach over and brush his dark curls away from his face. She suppressed the urge as she gently peeled back the covers and slipped into bed, softly nudging his hand back over to his side.

Percy mumbled, tossing onto his stomach. Annabeth gulped. He slept shirtless.

This was going to be an interesting weekend.