''The plan is simple'' Malcolm explained. He was holding up a giant map of camp half-blood, where it came from? Who knows.

'' Ares will be positioned here, here, and here because you're our strongest, Archers in the trees because you are our eyes in the sky, except Sam I need you for another job. You'll get the flag and take it here to the drop off point, where someone will give you a fake flag and take the real one, Sam you go to the left and umm... Nyssa, yes you'll go to the right with the real flag. Any questions?''

Hands shot up immediately, including mine. What about everyone else? And are we even allowed to duplicate the flag?

''Yes Katie'' he said gesturing for her to stand on a chair

''What about everyone else?''

''There's about twenty eight hunters, so we've decided on a game of 15 vs 15. So the four from Apollo, the 6 in Ares, Nyssa for speed, the stolls for a distraction and Lue Ellen from Hecate cabin, she's powerful so I need her here'' and he pointed to his map ''any further questions? Yes Sam go ahead''

I stood up and it was terrifying, everyone was staring at me. ''Are we allowed to use a fake flag?'' I asked

''Chiron said we can't duplicate our own flag, but he didn't say anything about theirs, no further questions? Good go get ready''

I rushed off to cabin seven, nearly losing my head on the way.. I grabbed my bow, quiver, dagger, and armour, then headed to the Hephaestus cabin. I helped Nyssa with her armour, got a hug from Harley for good luck, and he gave me his lucky toy car. I shoved it in my pocket.

''Thanks buddy'' I said giving him one last squeeze

''Go win'' he said, hugging Nyssa.

Together we walked down to the edge of the woods where everyone was waiting. Kayla ran to me, taking my hand.

''You can do this'' she whispered, adjusting my quiver because I can never put it on right.

I gave her a squeeze and waited for everyone else, as usually the Stoll brothers were late. Drew stood by to watch, the whole camp was there watching as we headed into the woods.

I got in position and waited for the signal.

''I hope this works'' I mumbled.

Chiron blew his horn and I started running. It only took a couple minutes to spot their flag, I shot an arrow into the sky to signal Conner and Travis, then got into place behind the flag. They came running charging at the poor girl guarding it, I think her name was Lucy, I took my chance and grabbed the flag.

Conner did his best to keep the focus off me and he did a pretty good job, till I heard someone behind me. I didn't dare look back, I reached the drop off and switched flags with Nyssa.

''Good luck'' I whispered ''run fast'' and we sprinted in different directions

I turned to find Phoebe standing right in front of me, she snatched the fake flag from my hands, took out her dagger and ripped it.

''Nice seeing you too Phoebs'' I said, turning away, when Kayla shouted from a tree.

''SAM WATCH OUT''

I turned back just in time to dodge her strike ''that was a close one'' I said.

She didn't answer, instead she tossed her dagger and tried a kick, she hit me right in the gut.

''Ow'' I pushed her away ''uh phoebe I don't have the flag anymore''

Her fist connected with my face, fast as lightning '' I don't care about this stupid game'' she screamed as I hit the ground, I rolled away just before she stomped my arm.

I used a move she taught me, sweeping her feet out from under her, I pinned her down before she could stand. She tried to fight me, thrashing, kicking and flailing her arms.

''Phoebe! Clam down!''

Tears running down her cheeks she screamed ''GET OFF ME''

I stepped off just as Chiron blew the horn, the game was over. But who won?

She took off running ''Phoebe!'' I yelled. I wanted to run after her but I knew Nyssa would be waiting for me so I headed back towards camp.

She looked so happy, which made me feel better.

Chiron stood in front of everyone ''congratulations campers, for the first time In many years camp half-blood has won the honorary game of capture the flag against the hunters of Artemis'' Everyone cheered

''THREE CHEERS FOR MALCOLM'' Conner shouted

The camp shouted back ''HIP HIP HOORAY''

''THREE CHEERS FOR SAM'' Travis yelled

The camp shouted back ''HIP HIP HOORAY''

This time I stood up ''THREE CHEERS FOR NYSSA'' I screamed .

The camp shouted back ''HIP HIP HOORAY''

I pulled her up with me and wrapped my arms around her. I even gave her a kiss on the cheek '' you were amazing'' I whispered.

She smiled ''you too''

I looked over and caught the eye of Phoebe, she was standing beside Thaila, who for some reason was smiling like a crazy lady, gods I'd missed her. She was a real pain in the ass but I missed her. Phoebe on the other hand looked like she'd just witnessed something horrendous.

Conner and Travis took it upon themselves to lift us up with the crowd and carry us down to the dining pavilion, Nyssa held my hand the whole time she gave me this weird tingly feeling. Everyone was talking so happily about the win, yet I still felt hurt.

I was eating dinner at the Apollo table as usual, but I couldn't help staring at her. She looked just as she had when I left, her auburn hair looked perfect as usual and she smiled at her fellow hunters. The way she used to smile at me, a tear rolled down my cheek..

''Hey Sam are you okay?'' Will touched my hand.

Austin just waved his hand in my face ''Earth to Sammy. Sammy you there?''

I stopped staring ''what?... Oh yeah, super excited about the win, but I'm actually not hungry. I think I'm just gonna go for a walk'' I got up.

Kayla got up too ''I'll come''

I smiled at her ''Thanks, but I just wanna be alone right now.'' Before walking away I glanced back at the hunters, pain filled my heart..

I walked to the amphitheatre, when some started yelling, so I spun around to see Phoebe standing behind me.

"'WHAT, I DON'T EVEN GET A GOOD BYE ?'' Phoebe yelled, moving closer to me. Tears filling her eyes.

I was shocked that Phoebe followed me ''what?''

More tears fell from her cheek ''everyone gets a goodbye, but me?''

I wanted to cry, hug her, slap her, kiss her and run away all at once, but I had to keep it together. ''I-I didn't say goodbye to anyone, I didn't want to'' I stuttered as tears fell one after another.

She stepped closer, filling the gap between us '' After everything we went through together, and you still chose to leave. To leave me behind.''

I gave up, I let all my tears fall away '' You really think I didn't say goodbye because I don't care? No Phoebe I didn't say goodbye because I care too much. After all that time and you still don't know a goddamn thing about me''

She touched my arm ''then why didn't you say something?''

''I can't explain how much it hurt to leave, how much it hurt knowing I wouldn't wake up with you by my side every morning. I almost ignored Artemis's warning, I almost stayed anyway'' I screamed ''you mean more to me than anything, I didn't say goodbye because it hurt too much, I care more about you than my own life Phoebe. I care more than I should. So there alright, there's your goodbye!''

''You still don't get it! you were never supposed to say goodbye, you were never supposed to leave.'' She sobbed.

I sat down and barred my face in my hands ''No Phoebe you don't get it! I didn't want to leave, I had to leave. She knew Phoebe, she found out''

She sat beside me, pulling me closer ''found out what? What could be so bad that you'd have to leave?''

''Th-that I love you'' I stumbled '' I have since the day we first met and after a while I started to think maybe you felt the same way. I worried that if by some chance I was right, you would chose the hunt or resent me because we couldn't stay.'' I cried, weeping onto her shoulder.

She lifted my head, wiping away my tears '' Sam I would have left with you happily''

There was a pause of silence, no more tears or shouting, just silence.

"'Really?'' I probably sounded ridiculous.

She blushed '' yes loser, I love you too. I've loved you for a while now''

She's in love with me?! She's in love with me!? Maybe today wasn't as bad as I thought.

I fumbled over my words again ''yo-your, in l-love with me?''

''Yes you adorable idiot'' she pulled my face closer to hers, our lips were an inch apart

''You just made me the happiest person at camp'' I said, closing the gap.

This just officially went from the worst day of my life to the best. Can someone pinch me? Is this a dream? Phoebe pulled apart, staring behind me.

''What?'' I said looking at Phoebe

Oh, Thalia now in front of us ''Are you crazy?!'' She paused looking at me ''and you better not say crazy for her''

Well I should have said that duh ''I wasn't- it just kinda happened okay''

Thalia glared at me ''Phoebe, cabin eight now!'' She demanded

'' But Thalia-''

''Now!''

The best day ever was now officially back to the worst day ever, again. We watched Phoebe disappear into the trees.

''Thalia let me explain,'' I pleaded.

Thalia looked furious ''you know what this could mean for her! And you know Artemis won't be so forgiving for breaking her rules a second time. Keep your distance otherwise you left for nothing''

Phoebes in love with me and you want me to stay away, no, no, no. I tried that it only brought heartache ugh.

'' You know, I never thought of you as the lap dog. But here you are being Artemis's little lap dog'' I yelled, purely out of rage

Thalia's hair spiked, I could feel the electricity and immediately I realized my mistake. I stepped back.

''I'm sorry that was out of line. I shouldn't have said that'' too late, I felt a shock roll through my body, not enough to do real damage but enough to make it hurt.

She stepped forward '' who do you think convinced Artemis to let us come here? I did it so you guys could talk, I did it for you. And who do you think covered for you while you were off adventuring huh?''

''Eeep'' I screamed as more electricity rolled through my body

She continued '' I volunteered to bring you here so you wouldn't have to go alone, I brought her here so you could talk and I found you kissing! I tried talking to Artemis for you, I wanted her to reinstate the no romance rule but she won't listen'' Thalia screamed

''My loyalty relies with my friends'' she finished

I held my head down feeling awful ''Thalia I'm sorry, I spoke without thinking''

I also may or may not have peed myself a little.

Thalia sighed ''Look, I want you two together, you make each other happy, but she won't listen. We're leaving in the morning, and I'll probably have a hard time keeping an eye on everyone''

That's when I realized Phoebe was hiding in the line of trees, listening.