"Good. You're up." I slowly open my eyes and find a golden-haired boy leaning over me, holding a square of ambrosia. "Eat up."

"I'm fine." I scowl, but I take the ambrosia.

"Um, no, you're not. You fell down a 20-foot hill."

"It wasn't that bad."

"Yeah, sure it wasn't. You just have a broken ankle and a fractured wrist, you could do a triathlon!"

"Ugh. Shut up."

"Fine. You're gonna need to stay here for a couple days though."

"I told you, I'm fine!"

"Maybe that's not why I want you to stay." Will tells me.

"W-why else would you want me to stay?" I ask, blushing.

"Um, maybe because I like your company?"

"Why would you like my company?" I blurt without thinking.

"Because I like you? Seriously, Nico, are you that thick?"

I blush even harder. I know he doesn't mean that he like-likes me, but it sure sounded like it when he said it.

"Why would you like me?" I ask, still not really thinking.

"Seriously? Why wouldn't I like you? You're smart, and funny, and caring, and stubborn, and cute…" Suddenly, his eyes widen. He surges toward where I'm sitting on the bed and puts his hands around my neck.

I close my eyes and put my fingers in his hair as he presses his lips against mine. I laugh as we pull apart after a few seconds.

"That was… sudden." I say.

"Well, I guess I just realised I liked you."

"I'm glad you figured it out."

"Me too." He says, and then kisses me again.

We are rudely interrupted by the separator sheet being pulled back. I look over and see Clarisse standing there.

"Will! You've got other patients to see! You can make out with your boyfriend on your own time!"

"We're not-" I start, but I don't know how to finish that sentence. I actually don't really know if he is my boyfriend now or not. I mean, I want him to be, I think. But does he want to be? He did say he liked me. So, maybe?

Will grins sheepishly. "Sorry, Ris." He turns to me. "See ya later, babe." Then he gets up and walks out of the room.

Babe? Does that mean we're dating now? I can't believe I'm admitting it to myself, but I kind of hope so.

I remember what Jason told me this morning, when I denied having a crush on Will. If anything happens with Will, come straight to me. I climb out of bed, ignoring my throbbing ankle, and shadow-travel to Jason's cabin.

He looks straight up when I come in. "Let me guess. Something happened with Will!"

I try to hide my mile, but I don't think it works, so I look down instead. "Yeah."

Jason reads my expression pretty easily. "Oh my gods! He kissed you!" He starts jumping up and down and hugs me.

"No hugs." I croak with the last bit of air left in my lungs.

"Oh. Sorry. But I'm just so excited! I knew you guys would be great together!"

"Okay, stop fangirling. I have to go tell Hazel." I shadow travel to the Hades cabin and find Will talking to Hazel. Fortunately, I'm still in the shadows, so I don't think they saw me.

"So, um, I was wondering… could I maybe, like, have your permission to date Nico?" Will is saying. I smile. He is so cute.

"Aw, of course!" Hazel responds. "I know he likes you a lot. You're going to make him very happy."

"Well, he makes me happy." WIll responds, scratching the back of his neck. "I guess I wanna return the favor."

With that I come out of the shadows and throw my arms around him. My lips curve into a smile as I press them against his. He pulls back, his face red.

"How long were you there?" He asks, embarrassed.

"Long enough." I respond, and kiss him again.

"Um.. I'm.. just- gonna go, I guess." I hear Hazel saying, and then the door opening. I laugh and kiss Will harder.