Disclaimer: Don't own PJO only OC's

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The Milkshake Place

I sat waiting anxiously at the bottom of the grandstands. Every second I spent here, alone, on the football field just reminded me of the times I was hassled by, Orion and his lackeys. My thoughts swapped and changed between, Orion and the hand holding incident between, Artemis and I. 'Did she really do that?' I was still as shocked as I was an hour ago. My knee bounded up and down rapidly, only slightly slower than my heartbeat. I could hear it in my ears as if it were right next to me being projected by a megaphone.

My hands squeezed my thighs tightly, I rubbed them down my pants. The perspiration of my nervousness and scorching hot sun was starting to become unbearable.

I sighed, 'How long was she gonna take?'

A figure stood beside me not a few seconds later, her shadow blocking the sun from my view.

I almost sighed in relief, the satisfaction relaxing me just a little. I closed my eyes for a moment and met who I knew was, Silena's eyes.

"Hi handsome." She greeted, though I could tell she was more disinterested than anything else. Or maybe it was the fact that she rolled her eyes, it's the little things.

I stood up, "You're a little late." I eyed her cheer uniform. A tri-colour chasse' stunt skirt tight against their legs with the long-sleeved equally as tight top, combined to make official outfit for the cheer team.

The school mascot and team, 'Bulldogs' was plastered over her chest in it's red, white and yellow colour scheme. I averted my eyes quickly.

'Gods I hope she didn't think I was checking her out...although she is really pretty.'

Luckily she didn't and instead sat down on the metal bench with a defeated huff, "Cheerleading was cancelled, something about your sister needing time to prepare for tryouts for the youngsters. Not sure when."

I raised my eyebrow, "Aren't you technically supposed to try out? Youngster." I smirked.

Silena scoffed, "Please, I only try out as a courtesy so the other girls feel like it's fair. I always get in and this year Varsity is a definite."

Now it was my turn to roll my eyes, "Cocky aren't you?"

She glanced at me in the corner of her eye, as if she was slightly embarrassed of herself. I didn't think it was my pointing it out though, I figured like many, she's putting up an act.

"I attend practice because I've been given permission. I am your sister's protege'."

I nodded, "Got it. So uhh-"

Silena finally looks at me, her eyes travelling my body, "I don't see why you need my help. You have a totally perfect body and that face-" She inclined her head, "Don't think I suddenly like you-"

"Yeah?" I ask, intrigued by what she's going to say. "What about my face?"

"Don't let this inflate your ego-"

"Well?" I emphasise the word to hint for her to get to the point.

"You have a fucking gorgeous face. Like it's-" She blushed as she sees I'm listening intently, completely perplexed as to why she's saying this. "It's unnatural, you're the male version of the angels."

I frowned, that I definitely did not understand.

She sighs, "I meant that-" She gestures the group of cheerleaders all gathering their things, "Take your sister or, Artemis for instance and even, Athena." She stated, I hoped she didn't see the red staining my cheeks at the mention of, Artemis. "So beautiful even girls look at them with desire in their eyes, or envy, which ever."

I had to agree with this statement, I always found it weird but understandable.

"So your point is?"

"You have a face like that. You shouldn't even need to speak to get this girl to like you." She declares slinging her bag over her shoulder. "So I'm just gonna go-"

I grab her hand, "No, you can't!" I panicked. I just found a possible solution to my problem, now she was just gonna leave. I needed to just get this over and done with and tell her.

She looks at me, quite alarmed.

I blush and retract my hand, "Uhh sorry-I just really do need your help. Whatever you think about my face-which I don't agree with-it doesn't matter, especially without confidence. I can't flirt, I can't talk to her without blabbering like an idiot and I definitely cannot-" I whispered my next confession, "Kiss."

Silena's brow furrows, her face clearly shocked at my statements.

"You can't kiss?" She whispered back, knowing how I must be insecure about it. "Have you done it before?"

I clear my throat awkwardly, "Yes, but she didn't exactly give me feedback."

Silena thinks for a moment before answering, "I see I have my work cut out for me." She pinched the bridge of her nose, "Okay, where do I even begin?"

"Flirting?" I ask.

Silena shrugs, "I guess."

"Hey, since you're free. Wanna do this at my house? It'll be easier, no one can bother us?" I ask innocently.

"I'd need a ride-"

"That's fine." I grin.

For some odd reason she blushes, "Sure then."

The drive home was pretty-well I didn't have a word for it. Silent? No. Loud? No.

I did manage to make her laugh, rambling on about random things that came to mind, it eased the tension greatly. So fuck the guys who said my irritating habit of rambling when I'm nervous would never come in handy.

I opened the door for her with a laugh, she'd been telling me about the time she had locked herself out the house because she had managed to drop the key and kick it under the door.

"I imagine you doing stuff like that often-" I bend over and kick an imaginary object, "Whoops-kicked it away again." I repeated this action twice, "Whoops-done it again."

Silena pushed me playfully, "Oh shut up! That is just you making assumptions, it's only happened that one time." I cross my arms, giving her a 'oh really' look. She blushed and rolled her eyes, "Okay maybe twice with a ball."

I find myself clutching my sides, chortling like an idiot, "I am just thinking about you throwing a mini tantrum every time you kicked it away."

She growled though it sounded fake, "It was tiny alright...okay it was really big but that's not the point."

I shook my head, "What are you referring to?" I smirk mischievously, implying a very obvious joke.

She sighs dramatically, "Ew! No!" She tries pushing me again, I catch her hands and hold her in place, chuckling gleefully.

I hear new voices closing in on us from behind the walls, voices I recognised.

Sure enough The Angels entered the room chatting away, oblivious to us.

Silena steps away from me, but it's not in disgust, more like excitement. "Hi girls!" Silena greets cheerfully, sounding a lot like my sister. Her eyes lit up with admiration as she caught my sister's eye.

They turn to us, obviously confused.

I notice, Artemis eyeing the both of us as if we were an unknown species of animal she couldn't explain. Out of the blue an awkward air fills the room .

"Silena! What are you doing here?" Artemis asks with a bright smile plastered on her face.

I frown, it resembles my sister's when someone's managed to piss her off and she's trying to be polite.

Aphrodite's brow raises at Silena's answer, as well as Athena and Artemis's.

"I'm just uhh-" She glances at me nervously, "Hanging out with, Percy." I know she was rather reluctant to admit hanging out with me, but it had to be said. Rather that be the reason than admit the real one.

I nod, backing her up.

Athena and Aphrodite share a glance, Artemis still said nothing, but her gaze seemed to be burning holes into Silena's face even if a smile adorned her face.

"I wasn't aware you two were friends." Aphrodite states with that bright smile that, Artemis seemed to be giving us.

Silena smiles and shrugs in response, "Recent development." She lets my sister sling her arm over her shoulders in a hug.

"How nice." Artemis's voice sounds like it's laced with a undertone of aggression. I quickly ignore it, it must have been my imagination, she wouldn't be so rude without provocation.

Silena gives her a questioning look, when Artemis only replies with another bright smile, this one more realistic, Silena turns her questioning look over to, Aphrodite.

My sister only grins, I know her well enough to know she's going to try change the subject, "Well why don't you two skedaddle then? Or you can hang with us a bit?" She winked.

I can see the temptation being dangled in front of, Silena is torture for her. I can tell she's compelled to say yes and I think she will.

So imagine my surprise when she grudgingly declines, "Actually, Percy and I are a bit preoccupied. I'll catch up you guys later though?" A hopeful expression graces her features.

"Sure." My sisters frowns, stealing a glimpse of her two best friends behind her. Both Aphro and Athena's eyes lingered at Artemis's stiff posture.

I catch her eye for the first time and find myself smiling sheepishly, she doesn't respond with a smile back. Instead she gestures to the kitchen and then me with her eyes, I tilt my head in confusion, much like a puppy.

She seems to giggle, "At least get a drink, you must be parched in this heat."

Silena smiles, "Smartest thing I've heard all day."

I nod profusely.

Artemis's mirth dissipated at the sound of, Silena's voice, though just for a split second.

"What do you drink?" She asks, although a tad bit reluctantly.

"Water is fine, but I can get it-" Silena tries to say, but Aphrodite is the one to stop her.

"No. Let, Percy and Artemis get us some drinks, it'll be a great opportunity to let 'Thee' and I inform you of the plans so far for the tryouts." My sister is being pushy but, Silena doesn't seem to care and ducks her head.

She turns to me, "That okay, Percy? We can go upstairs after our drinks?" She pleads with her eyes for me to agree.

I nod slowly, "Okay."

She grins and follows the two angels out the room leaving, Artemis and I alone.

The sudden feeling of nerve-racking anxiety hits me like a landslide. My palms begin to sweat and I can feel my persperation seeping through my already sweaty shirt.

She eyes my shirt, "Did you run 5 miles or something?" She giggles.

I blush and look down at it, "Give me a minute."

I don't wait for her answer as I dash up the stairs to my room. I flung open my wardrobe (if guys can call it that) and search for a tank top. Sleeve-less will prevent her from seeing how much I'm perspiring out of nervousness.

I find a black one and slipped it on, along with a pair of white Nike basketball shorts. I take a quick look at myself in the mirror, 'It's an improvement…' I murmur to myself before running down the stairs.

Artemis is scrolling on her phone, but stops when she sees me.

"Uhh-" Her cheeks become discoloured, but not in a bad way. More of the blood rushing to her cheeks way.

"Sorry, had to change. It's so hot." I stretch.

She nods half-heartedly, her eyes travelling up and down my body slowly, as if she weren't paying attention to what I was saying.

Artemis bites her lip, "I erm-" She glances at my arms, I frown and follow her gaze, there doesn't seem to be anything on them. "I didn't realise you'd be bringing someone else."

I shrug nonchalantly, oblivious to the very transparent, jealous edge to her voice, "Neither did I. Just happens I guess." I look at her, she sports her skin-tight cheer uniform, her perfectly toned legs and stomach are exposed for all the world to see. I practically drool, at the curves highlighting her intimidating beauty. I continued to stare like an idiot, that's when I noticed a very subtle bling in her naval area.

I squint, I came to the conclusion that there was honestly no ounce of fat on her body as my vision focuses on her flat stomach. A small diamond belly ring stood out amongst her light caramel coloured skin.

It was simple, not overbearing like many are, it seemed to suit her, like a lot. I felt my knees begin to give out.

I growled animalistically and grabbed her waist with one hand, while the other remained at my side. She squirmed a little, alarmed by my confidence. I grinned internally, this confidence just appeared out of thin air, I felt like I could do anything. Like what I was about to do now.

I fell to my knees, staring at her smooth skin, her stomach looked like it had been airbrushed. I eyed the belly ring, it was one of the many things that made up my kryptonite. Most girls can't really pull it off, but her, oh gods did she look good.

"Percy! What are you-" My hand previously located on her waist, moved up to her mouth, my finger touching her lips to quiet her down.

I used my free hand to travel up her leg, basking in the feeling of such perfection under my skin. I stroked her stomach delicately, as if she were fine china. I leisurely leaned down and allowed my lips to meet her toned stomach.

"Percy." She states, "Percy? What's wrong?" I frown and look up at her. She's suddenly at my eye level, frowning at me as if what I just did didn't even happen.

"Huh?" I say stupidly.

"You just started day dreaming." She muttered with amusement.

'Oh for godsakes!' I hiss internally, 'Can't my fantasies ever be real?'

"Oh uhm-"

She giggled, "You saw my belly ring and then went silent. Surprised?"

"Very."

She shrugs, "I don't usually wear it at games, in case I lose it."

I nod like an idiot, still trying to process what exactly I did and didn't do to her. Also, now that I know she has a belly piercing, it's another part of her that distracts me.

"So what were you so quiet about?" She smiles.

"I just thought you looked nice in that." I state, thinking out loud. Not realising my mistake until the words escaped my mouth.

She looks down at her clothes and her brow knits, "What? My cheer uniform?"

"Sexy." I accidentally mutter a little too loudly. I didn't mean for her to hear it, but apparently her Spiderman hearing isn't a rumour.

Artemis smirks, "Oh really?" Her reaction-being the opposite to what I expected-caused me to go into a stand still. She leans against the frame of the doorway behind her, "I'm glad you think so."

I blush, "You are?"

My anxiety decided to invite his cousin, confusion for a visit.

She didn't answer, instead turning and moving towards the kitchen, I follow like a lost puppy. I enter the pure white room and find her resting her hip on the counter sexily, I gulp and adjust my collar even though it's the complete opposite of tight.

Her eyes are analysing every move I make, she's quiet and I just wished she'd say something. Particularly something that won't make me make a fool of myself.

"It seems every time we're in this kitchen you have nothing to say." She said.

I clear my throat, still unsure of how to respond.

"I uhh-we should get the drinks. Will you get the glasses?" I say, what an idiot.

She nods, "Sure."

I open the fridge, the cool air kissing my skin graciously. I bite back a sigh and reach out for the bottles of water.

I set them on the table and open them one by one not seeing, Artemis stare at my flexing muscles with lustful eyes. She touches my arm gently, an electric pulse travelled around my body, hitting every system.

"You know, you didn't greet me properly this afternoon."

I lick my lips, thinking about how her body presses against mine every time we hug. I catch sight of the outline of her chest through her shirt, 'So ample and delicious.'

Artemis smiled her real smile. The one that caused a swarm of butterflies to explode in my stomach. Despite this, I leisurely bend down and wrap my arms around her waist, my hands resting on her mid-back, not wanting her to think I'm going to try grope her or anything.

She returns my gesture and turns her head, I can feel her lips on my ear, "Pity you brought a friend with you."

My brow creases, "What?"

She merely winks and grabs the bottles of water, filling the glasses. She grabs two and gestures to the remaining two with her head.

I pick them up, still confused as to what the hell she meant. I will make a vow right now, I will find out if it's the last thing I ever do...I'll ask, Silena.

We stroll into the lounge where Silena and Aphrodite are discussing something while looking at a paper, Athena lay on the couch with-surprise-a book in hand.

"Whatcha reading?" I wonder out of curiosity, not really intending to ask out loud.

She raises her eyebrow, but answers anyway, "Pride and Prejudice." She states while sitting up and reaching for her glass of water, Artemis handed to her.

I nod my head awkwardly, "Cool."

Artemis giggles quietly as, Athena gives me a funny look.

"I like your outfit, Percy." My sister declares with a mischievous glint in her eye.

Silena and Athena turn to look, Athena choked on the water she was drinking.

Artemis crossed her arm, "Something wrong with your water, Thee?" She narrows her eyes.

Athena blushes and shakes her head, glancing at my exposed arms and legs, "Nope." She then turns her back to me and basically sticks her nose into the book, 'reading'. Though I don't know if it was physically possible to a read a book with your face that close to the page.

I shrug and hand a drink to, Silena, she's observing me and then, Artemis, like we're a puzzle and she's trying to solve it.

"Hey, Percy, you wanna go upstairs?" She asks deliberately so, Artemis will hear. I hear no vindictive tone or malice in her voice, it's like she was testing something. My sister tends to do the same thing, why they do it is beyond me.

Aphrodite glances at, Artemis wearily.

I frown, "Sure…" I face, Artemis, "We'll chat later." I smile.

I see disappointment and-was that hurt? Flash in her eyes.

'Don't hate me, I'm doing this for you.' I think to myself, hoping I conveyed the message in my eyes, not likely as she didn't seem to have any indication of happiness on her face.

I disappear up the stairs with, Silena, she shuts the door behind us as we enter my room.

"Holy cow-" She gasps, I guessed it was the sheer size of my bedroom.

"I know, it's big-"

"No, my room is basically this size." Her eyes widen, "Artemis likes you."

I freeze, my limbs not listening to my brain as I told myself to laugh at her.

"No she doesn't." I state after a minute. First Mr. Moniker, now Silena? Maybe what I thought about her holding my hand was true. Well it took me long enough.

Silena scoffs, "Really? Because it seemed to me like she wanted to stick my head on a spike the minute we walked in together." She sits on my bed with a glance at me in the corner of her eye.

I let out a mocking laugh, "Okay. Sure. Believe what you want, but you're wrong."

Silena shook her head, "I'm guessing that girl you're doing this for is her?"

I hesitate, wondering if I should tell her. I guess I'd have to if I wanted to actually be successful, "I'm doing it for me, but yes, I am doing this because I like her."

Silena smirks, "When I said unattainable I meant someone like a cheerleader, or even a varsity cheerleader. The girls in The Bod Squad are more attainable than an Angel." The Bod Squad, a name adopted by our student body for the varsity cheerleaders ever since, Aphrodite's rule for only beautiful girls being allowed into the cheer teams was put into place. A well deserved name. Every girl in the Varsity team was in short, basically perfect. Perfect face, perfect body, hence-The Bod Squad. Apparently the name caught on with the cheerleaders themselves. "But an Angel?" She looked doubtful for a second, "Okay maybe under the circumstances-you know, her liking you-I'd say your chances have increased."

The happiness that explodes in my chest is beyond anything I've felt before, besides maybe the feeling of Artemis's lips on mine in Junior year or when I heard about a new Star Wars franchise coming out back in 2015.

I can't help the grin growing on my face, "You really think so?"

"Well yeah…" She blushes.

I laugh quietly, not out of amusement, but purely because I didn't know how else to respond.

She then stands up and claps her hands, "So uhh-shall we get started?"

I nod profusely.

"Almost-"

I groan, "Oh come on! That had to have been right." It's been a bloody hour, one hour of pure irritation.

I couldn't seem to get it right, I was either to weird or nervous. It was so godsdammed confusing!

She giggles at my brooding, "You actually flirt better when you're not trying."

I frown, "How is that possible?"

She shrugs, "You do, I feel like you'd be fine if you just learned to calm yourself down. You do great until you get nervous."

"Really? I feel like I'm failing miserably."

"You see? That right there is why you feel so hopeless! You don't have any confidence." She declared, pointing at me accusingly.

"Well I may have a new look but I'm still the inexperienced guy who can't kiss or talk to girls."

"You talk to me just fine." She points out.

I shrug, "I guess, but it's because I like, Artemis, you're just a friend...or colleague whichever you prefer."

I wasn't too sure on where she stood in terms of our relationship. I know she is a popular and I'm a nerd, but we seemed to pretty much hit off, despite what she tried to convey.

She smiled, "Friend." She then narrows her eyes, "But that doesn't mean you can go bragging at school-"

I held my hands up in a surrender gesture, "Never."

She then went quiet for a few seconds, debating whether or not she should tell me what she planned to, "You can't talk to Artemis because you lack confidence. As for the can't kiss and inexperienced bit-" She averts her eyes and blushes, "If you like I can teach you some things. All theory based!" She defends the last bit as if she were defending her own life.

Now it's my turn to blush, "Uhh-sure, but how will that work?"

She sighs and finally meets my eyes, "Well for starters, many people make the mistake in kissing by going straight into-"

Honestly, the next 45 minutes of hearing, Silena, my new friend of only a few hours point to areas of her body and describe how or why this is pleasurable to a girl or isn't was possibly the most mortifying experience of my life. More so than my aunt having the 'How babies are made' talk with me when I was 10, or even surpasses when I found out Santa didn't come to visit anymore because the North Pole is made of water!

And honestly, even though I liked, Artemis, Silena was pretty hot and having her basically give me a theory based lesson on human anatomy of the female gender-which was probably more than most guys know in their life-was turning me on for days.

I found myself having to cross my legs over when she got to the breasts. Gods, hormones are the fucking worst! They never let you do or think of anything besides sex.

Sex.

A word describing the act I have yet to do. An act that is consuming my mind 50% of the time, probably more so.

"Hey! Listen." She demands as she crosses her arms, enlarging her beautiful assets.

I blink, returning to reality, even though my imagination was way better.

"Yeah-sorry." I mutter, trying very hard not to stare.

Silena rolls her eyes, "I can't think of anything else I could have possibly left out. I mean...like what else should I say? Besides remember to take in what I've told you today and process it-use it."

"There's a difference between knowing how to kiss based on other's opinion than actually knowing." I claimed with irritation.

She stares at me a moment, contemplating something. She sits beside me on my bed and rubs her arms subconsciously, "Personally, if it were a meaningful kiss-" She looks at me in the corner of her eyes, "I'd like him to touch my cheek gently-" I look at my hand in curiosity and turn my body to face her.

"You mean-" I mimic what she just described, "Like this?"

I can see her stiffen, she slowly turns to meet my eyes. A sudden blush appeared on her cheeks as she nodded.

"Yes...then one of us would lean in-" She inclines her head toward me and looks briefly at my lips, "Then you glance at their lips, staring at them long enough to tell them what you want to do." She meets my eyes, "And you stare into their eyes after they give you permission by not pulling away." What was happening right now? I screamed in my head. Was, Silena fucking Beauregard seriously this close to my face and not slapping me?

"And then what?" I ask in a hushed voice. Curious as to what she would actually do.

She licks her lips, "Then you kiss them." She doesn't demonstrate this.

I had mixed feelings about this. On one hand, the desire she was inspiring inside me was a little painful, the burning need to push her onto the bed and take her was becoming hard to resist, but on the other hand, the person I'd rather be doing it with was in the next room, directly below us.

I allow her to pull away, I do the same. We sit there in silence, trying to comprehend what just happened. No one saying anything.

"I'm sorry." I say eventually, even if I didn't know exactly if it was my fault.

"No. It's not you-" She finally faces me, "There's no denying I really wanted to-" She stares at my lips for a short moment, "To kiss you, but it's only because you're super hot and...well nice. But-"

"You like, Charles and I like, Artemis." I smile and stand up, offering her my hand, "Please don't apologise. I am very glad you feel the same way. How about we just forget this ever happened. I'd hate to lose a friend after only just a few short hours of friendship."

She giggles and takes my hand, standing up.

"She's really lucky by the way." She tells me with no sense of indifference like, Annabeth did at the times where, Artemis had been brought up.

"Excuse?"

"Artemis, she's really lucky to have you."

I snorted, "That would imply that I had her for her to have me."

Silena rolled her eyes, "FYI if you mention any of this to, Charlie, I'll kill you with my bare hands." She raised her long, manicured nails to my face.

I chortled at her empty threat, but I wasn't stupid enough to defy her.

"Of course, Silena."

She nods, obviously pleased with herself, "Thank you. Now take me home, I've got to go to work."

I frown, "Can't I just give you a ride?"

She sighs, "No. I'm getting a ride from, Charlie."

I smirked, implying a very inappropriate meaning to her words.

"I'm sure you are."

She gasps and hits my arm, "Asshole."

I mock surrender and hold my arm in fake agony, "The pain! The pain of it all!"

She growls and turns away from me, exiting my room. I could hear her protruding footsteps as she descended the stairwell.

'Well that seemed to go well.' I said to myself as I followed suit.

Although, the whole almost kiss thing was a real brain teaser. Her reasons for wanting to were completely bemusing, I mean, 'Super hot?' Really? Yeah right. Okay, sure my acne had faded and instead of flab I had muscle, but hot? More like not. Perhaps average. I realised only recently I'm not exceedingly ugly, but honestly I couldn't see myself as great looking.

Silena tossed my keys in my direction as she opened the door to my drive-way. I can see Aunt Sally pulling up next to my car. I groan, I forgot she was coming home early today and I stole her parking spot.

Many are confused when they hear she has an occupation other than looking after us. It's not like she was a stay at home mom-well aunt. She had a job purely because she wanted one, not because she needed it.

"I see you stole my parking spot!" She yelled, rolling down her window.

I give her a bashful look, "Sorry! Just use mine!"

She doesn't respond, but takes my spot for today. I turn to, Silena, "Have you met my aunt?"

She nods, "Yeah, she's amazing."

I hear the door of my aunt's car slam shut and her footsteps approaching the house.

"Hello, Silena!" She hugs her like they're long lost buddies, "I didn't know you were coming. It's lovely to see you."

"Hi Aunty S. Same to you."

"Will you be staying for dinner?" She asks with a heart-warming smile.

Silena actually look guilty for saying no, "No, but maybe another time?"

"Of course dear."

I frown and scratch my head, "Hi aunty."

My aunt turns to me and kisses my cheek, "Hello my boy." She then walks into the house and straight towards the kitchen, throwing her keys and handbag on the table near our doorway.

"Aphrodite honey!" She shouts in a giddy tone.

I cock my head to the side, "Ermm-"

Silena laughs, "I've been here before, you just weren't here."

"I guessed." I dangle the keys in front of her, "Let me take you home."

I opened the door to my house taking a large bite of my burger. I'd made a stop at McDonalds on the way home, if my aunt asked, I'd call it a snack before dinner. Although four kiddies cheeseburgers didn't sound like a snack. I know, a kiddies cheeseburger? Really? But seriously, they are amazing and I won't let anyone tell me otherwise. If I had to choose anything on the McDonalds menu my answer would be the same as when I was a little kid. Albeit just a tad bit more in quantity.

I locked the door and made my way towards the kitchen where I could hear my Aunt laughing with my sister.

As I turn the corner down the hallway leading to the kitchen, I smash into someone. Luckily due to my large size I didn't stumble, though I can't say the same for the small figure that I managed to walk into.

The person grunts as they hit the floor, only after gathering my wits did I realise who it was.

"Oh my gods, Artemis! Are you alright?" I picked her up in one swift movement, I didn't even realise The Angels were still here. I guess I completely missed their bags still on the table.

As I picked her up, she was significantly lighter than I anticipated. It was like picking up an empty cardboard box using a strength as if it were a filled with bricks. So naturally, she basically flew into the air like a bird and into my arms with a squeal.

She lands on my chest, face first, my arms wrapped around her small frame while her hands grasped my shirt like her life depended on it.

My nose was digging into her now loose hair, rejoicing the feminine scent of fresh roses and pine trees. I can feel her breathing against my collar bone, the skin exposed from my scoop neckline. It felt as if she was pouring hot water over my body with every part of her crushed against me. Her lips at my chest, her arms at my pecks and her torso leaving no distance between my own.

She looks up at me, blushing furiously.

"I'm so sorry." I whisper. I hoped I hadn't hurt her.

She shakes her head, "It's okay."

Her piercing silver irises seemed to stare right through mine. I gulped as she bit her lip so sexily I wanted to press her against the wall and -

"Artemis sweetheart! Did you want some-Uhh was I interrupting?" A comforting voice said, one I knew all too well.

"Aunt Sally!" I say, alarmed.

Artemis and I pull apart, both of us looking quite disheveled and rather flushed.

"We were just-" Artemis begins, stuttering as she tries to explain ourselves to my aunt. It's probably one of the few times I'd ever seen her cool composure fall away.

Artemis goes silent, clearly giving up.

"Uhh-you see I-that is to say uhh-we-" I try to explain.

My aunt raises a slender eyebrow, a smirk playing at her lips. She holds up her hand intending to stop our rambling.

"No need to explain. I just wanted to double check if, Artemis here wanted butternut like you do or carrots like, Athena and your sister."

Artemis cleared her throat and straightened her spine, her confidence returning much faster than I expected.

"Butternut please-" She smiled politely.

Aunty 'S' nodded and threw me a knowing look, though I could see the shock between her features.

An awkward air filled the room, Artemis said nothing as she crossed her arms and thought the Jackson family crest located on the wall was suddenly interesting.

I cleared my throat, shuffling my feet anxiously, "So uhh-umm we should probably-" I gesture to the corner leading to the entrance to the kitchen further down. I began to walk, not expecting her to protest.

That's why when she grabbed my hand to stop me, I was incredibly surprised.

"Percy wait-" She blushes as I give her a questioning look, "Well I was wondering-" She averted her eyes to her hand currently grasping my wrist.

"Yes?" I asked, curious as to what she would say.

She used her free hand to tap her upper thigh nervously, this was a new development. I'd never seen her so nervous around me, I felt like I was watching myself try talk to her.

She was never nervous or shy, why was she doing this now?

"Well you see-" She met my eyes, hesitating. I gave her a smile that I hoped looked ore encouraging rather than crooked. "I wanted to know if you would like to hang out with me-" My eyes widen, "-Tomorrow after school?" She said in one quick breath.

"Sorry-what?" I ask, what an idiot.

Artemis blushed and let my hand go, "I understand if you don't want to. I just thought…" Her voice faded.

'Don't question! Say yes you idiot!' I screamed internally.

"Sure! I'd love to!" I say so enthusiastically it was embarrassing.

She smiled that smile that made my insides turn into butterflies and my legs feel like jelly.

"Great. 'The Milkshake Place' after school?"

"I'll drive." I blurt out. That was supposed to be my inner dialogue, because this sounded so much like a scene in a movie where the guy finally gets the girl and says something smooth. I managed to ruin this moment.

She nodded, "I'm catching a ride to school with your sister tomorrow, so that'd be helpful."

I blush and try my best to look confident as I smiled back.

She brushed a hair behind her ear and giggled, "Now we can go to the kitchen."

Artemis sat across from me at dinner last night, I could feel her leg brush against my own every time her legs extended to cross her over each other. I gulped and recalled how warm she was. She'd glance at me every time she did with a lip bite, purposefully dragging her foot up my legs, slowly and alluringly. I'd feel my shorts suddenly feel to two sizes too small.

I at one point had to cross my own legs like an idiot out of respect for my aunt and all the girls in the room. Just thinking about it now caused me to act up...literally.

My day couldn't have been described as productive either, in terms of getting any further with, Artemis that is. Mr. Moniker sprung a pop quiz on us in biology. Though considering its length it might as well been a test. So there went any potential conversation with, Artemis in Bio. Business and Spanish were probably the only time besides lunch where I laughed. Luke still hadn't abandoned me for popularity yet, it seemed even with the jocks acting like they'd known him forever and the girls treating him like he was Prince Harry, he preferred my gang. The nerds. He sat on the right side of the cafeteria today, this set alarms off in my head, but when Luke walked back to class with us, in front of the populars, I relaxed.

Although it was probably due to the fact that him and Annabeth had been getting close and even if I was happy for them, I felt like it was happening a little too fast. His hand was incredibly low on her back when he walked us to science. Annabeth made sure to let me know as well, I could never tell you why as I didn't know myself. I thought none of it though, it's not like I was jealous, I just didn't want one of my oldest friends getting hurt.

Currently sitting in last period, Science, I sighed as I wrote down my last answer to the pop "quiz" Mr. M surprised us with. Though he did do the same to us in biology, I wasn't that surprised that I had one here too. Great, no conversation with Artemis and I here either.

'Hold on, Percy.' I said to myself, 'She asked you out-well sort of. "Hang out" isn't exactly a date but it was a start.' It was all I could think about all day. Even with the tests and boring teachers I managed to drift off thinking about how frigging shocked I was.

"Percy!" I looked up, Annabeth was waving at me frantically trying to get my attention.

I eyed Mr.M shuffling in his store room and gave, Annabeth a 'What?' gesture.

She grinned and pointed to her phone. I slipped mine out subtly.

'Is it bad that everyone kept asking me for 14.A's answer?'

I chuckled, 'Everyone knows it's 'no effect'. Don't they study? Idiots.' I replied.

'I really worry about our peers, I really do.'

'XD'

'Has Ms. Olympia asked you for all the answers yet?' She sent laughing emoji's.

I frowned and glanced at, Artemis, she was staring out the window, she'd finished quite quickly. So fast I actually eyed her answers earlier in the lesson in fear of her failing, but they actually seemed to be right.

'No actually. She finished before you and me.' I replied a little rudely, not knowing exactly why I took such offence to, Annabeth's comment.

Annabeth turned around to me and looked at, Artemis, her eyes narrowed. She was analysing her, like she was trying to find some kind of flaw from my response to laugh and brush it off as a joke. Artemis, realising she was being watched turned to the front, catching Annabeth's patronizing gaze. Artemis raised a single perfectly sculpted eyebrow at her. Annabeth blushed and looked away, returning her attention to the test that was the reason for this awkward-across the room-encounter.

Artemis's remained stoic, I couldn't tell what she was thinking and to be franc based on the tiny smirk that graced her lips for a nano second, I didn't wanna know. What I did know is that I just wanted to talk to her, I craved for her attention even if for only a second.

I decided to take Nike's advice, and to 'Just do it.'

"Hey." I whispered, immediately regretting it. I already wanted to crawl into a hole and die, panic rose in my chest.

Artemis gave me a small finger wave, leaning her chin on her hand and turning her body towards mine.

I realised her smile was her response which meant I had to start off our conversation if I wanted it to last. Call it practice for this afternoon.

Okay, Percy! Topics. School? No. Science? NO! What does she like? Titanic? Fuck I'm dead. I thought for another second.

Cheerleading? Bingo! I deserve a medal.

"So uhh-how was practice this morning?"

She shrugged, "Like always, the girls are working extra hard though to impress, Aphrodite for Varsity."

"Oh yeah, tryouts soon." My reply was rather lame but it did the job.

"Yup, it's straight after football tryouts, either the end of this week or the beginning of next, not too sure." She nibbled on her lip in thought, causing me to stare at her delectable mouth.

I nodded, "Cool." Now I really had no idea what to say, like my brain stopped working.

"Are you gonna try out?" She tilted her head, her eyes sparkling, "For football, I mean."

I blushed and laughed, "Please. I'd get kicked off the field before I even had a chance to walk a few metres." (An: Sorry USA but where I come from we use the metric system, I am also too lazy to translate to miles/feet/inches. Forgive me.)

Artemis shook her head, "Actually, I think you'd be really good at it." She looked at my arms, her eyes searching my body, "You'd give those other guys a heart attack."

"Why?"

"Well because your-" She dragged her finger up my tricep, "So big-" She licked her lips and met his eyes, "And muscular."

I swallowed, my throat felt like it hadn't felt a drop of water in days.

She leaned toward me and bit her lip slowly, exaggerating her action just so I'd look at what she was doing, it worked.

"We'd be spending a lot of time together if you made varsity football." She whispered so quietly I was forced to lean in. Her face was so close to mine I could feel her hot breath on my skin.

"For example." I ask in an equally low voice.

"The bus when we go to away games, in those small, cramped spaces." Her hand brushed my thigh, just grazing my inner thigh and settling on the loops of my jeans.

I shuddered, "What else?" I could feel myself strain against the zipper of my jeans. This was torture.

"The after parties, when everyone's dancing, all hot and sweaty. And you wanna know the best part?" She inclined her head right next to his cheek.

"What?"

"The bedrooms are just upstairs." I felt the tip of her tongue touch his skin before she sat back in her chair.

I wanted to respond, but couldn't I find the words in between making sure Mr. M didn't see us talking and me expertly reciting the national anthem to calm myself down. Literally.

She smiled at me as if she didn't know how exactly she had affected me. Maybe she didn't, but I sure as hell would be delighted to let her feel. Like hell that'll ever happen.

"Alright, time's up!" Mr. Moniker yelled just moments before the final bell rang.

Backpacks were zipped up in a single movement, everyone packing up and sliding off their chairs with the synchronisation of a chinese marching band. It seemed everyone was ready to leave, me being excluded. Now that school was over, I had to actually face the facts that I was gonna be alone with, Artemis. Artemis Olympia. A varsity cheerleader. An angel. A Bod Squad member. A girl I'm in both utter awe and terrified of. I couldn't do this. I can't ask my sister, she'd make a big deal about it.

I could feel my heart beating in my chest, hitting my chest from the inside like a pounding from a hammer.

I need, Silena. Silena! I screamed in my head, I unlocked my phone as nonchalantly as possible, tapping on, Silena's contact while, Artemis packed her bag. I don't say backpack because according to my sister backpacks are for guys, the cheerleaders have these stylish satchels, leather things. Don't know what they are, don't care.

I frantically typed her a long ass message in under 10 seconds, I was so proud of myself.

'Help! Didn't tell you. Going with Artemis to Milkshake Place. Need advice. What am I supposed to say? What does this even mean. P.s She asked me. 0_o'

I sent the message just as, Artemis threw her bag over her shoulders with it's semi-thin leather straps crossing over behind her back.

I smiled bashfully and gathered my books, "So no practice today?" I threw my backpack over my shoulder.

She shook her head, "I made an excuse."

I raised an eyebrow, "Oh did you now?"

I felt rather special thinking she'd skipped practice for me.

She giggled, "Yes, now let's go-" She grabbed my hands and pulled me towards her, our torsos so close I could sense the bare skin her skirt exposed at her legs on my own. "I hear it's half-price today."

I nodded, "My car?"

"Yeah."

"You sure?" I was giving her a chance to back out here instead of leaving me at the diner.

She tilted her head, "Why wouldn't I be?"

I shuffled my feet nervously, "Don't know."

Artemis shook her head, "Oh come on? Afraid your friends will see us?"

I nearly choked on thin air. She was asking if I was the one afraid of ridicule? Me? What about her? Her popularity? Her status!

I frowned, "What? No-"

She rolled her eyes playfully, "Come on!"

I found myself being dragged-willingly, mind you- behind the most beautiful girl in school, on our way to a diner where it would be just the two of us. Mr. Moniker stopped us as we got to the door, "Ms. Olympia-"

Artemis faced him with a formal smile, not nearly like the one she gave me.

"Yes sir?"

"I've just started marking your paper and-" He said staring down at her "quiz".

Artemis's eyes widened, she let my hands go and rushed over to his desk. "Did I do terribly? Oh no mother's gonna kill me-"

Mr. M laughed and held her paper up, "Don't worry. Your mother will definitely not be killing you. Take a look."

Artemis gasped and leaned forward, as if she couldn't believe her eyes. She grinned, her eyes lighting up the room, clearly happy.

"Really?"

Mr. M nodded, chuckling with amusement, but it was very brief.

"So uhh-how is your mother? I haven't seen her much." He asked out of the blue, causing me to do a double take.

Artemis didn't seem to ponder over it, much too excited about her mark, which was still unknown to me.

"She's been working a lot, the company is sending her on trips out of town a lot. I guess she's good at what she does."

Mr. M nodded, smiling for the first time that day, "She was always good at everything she put her mind to." He glanced at me, noticing I was desperately trying to put the pieces together. "A trait you share." He held up her paper again, "You're A is proof." He winked, "Now go away, both of you."

He gestured to his door.

I rolled my eyes and chortled, "Wow sir, just like that."

He shrugged, "The Milkshake place is half price today, go before they're full."

My eyes widened, "How did you-"

"He's right!" Artemis said quickly and grabbing my hand, pulling me out the class.

"By sir!" She called as we strolled through the halls. W barely made it a few meters before another interruption.

"Percy!" Another hand touched my shoulder, pulling me aside.

It was Annabeth.

She grinned as I smiled back, oblivious to how rigid, Artemis had become.

"Wanna come over? The gang is gonna hang. I rhymed so you gotta accept." She winked.

I chuckled and stepped aside so, Artemis was no longer blocked from her view.

Annabeth's grin fell away, the girls just stared at each other, Artemis being the one to break the silence.

"I don't think we've officially met-" She held out her hand, "I'm Artemis."

Annabeth took her hand reluctantly, "Annabeth." She murmured, "I sat in front of you in history for the whole of freshman year."

Artemis's brow knitted, obviously trying to remember what, Annabeth had just described.

"I'm busy this afternoon, but I'll see you and the guys later?" I asked, ending the awkward air.

Annabeth narrowed her eyes, "Whatever. I was gonna hang with, Luke anyway."

Artemis frowned, "Luke Castellan?"

Annabeth crossed her arms, "Yes. Why?"

Her tone clearly showed she didn't think of, Artemis as anymore than the stereotypical cheerleader. I couldn't decide if it was more mocking or condescending, probably both.

Artemis looked as if she was gonna say something but decided against it, "Nothing. Percy? You wanna go?"

I opened my mouth to reply, but Annabeth beat me to it.

"Didn't you hear him? He's busy, he even blew us off." She rolled her eyes.

Artemis scoffed softly, only I could hear but her slightly narrowed eyes more than conveyed her irritation to Annabeth, and furthered my awkwardness.

"Yes I know, because he's gonna be with me." She then proceeded to walk away, throwing me 'Are you coming or not?' look over her shoulder.

I caught up to her, "Bye, Annie!" I shout without looking back.

Artemis ignored the whispers and shocked faces as we walked through the hall together. I was in awe, how could she not care? I blushed as Hephaestus passed us.

He winked at me as he ran passed, probably to see my sister before she left. I'd never understand why he didn't care that she had this on again-off again thing with Ares. At the moment it was an off again thing, but what I was worried about was when it became an on again thing. What would my sister do then? Drop Heph, or Drop Ares?

"What's wrong?" Artemis whispered as the sun hit my face, blinding me for a few seconds.

I blocked it with my hand so I could search for my car in the senior parking lot, "Uhh-nothing. Just a lot on my mind." I reply as I spot my car.

"Well if you wanna talk I'm here." She doesn't press me to tell. How perfect is she?

I grabbed her hand subconsciously as I walked to my car, "Milady?"

I opened the car door for her, she giggled, "I don't think a guy has opened the door for me in a while."

I frown and fake a gasp, "I hope they never got a second date."

She shakes her head, still laughing, "No they didn't. But you're so sweet." She kissed my cheek.

"Holy shit." I heard behind me. I faced the person, it was Rachel.

I sent her a questioning look, she didn't reply, only shuffling past me and practically ran over to Apollo's car. Fear enveloped my body, was she gonna tell Apollo? No, she wouldn't, she knows he gave me sort of permission to do this. Right? On the other hand, I didn't mention this.

"Percy? You coming? Or can I drive your sick ferrari." Artemis smirked.

I shook my head, "No one drives this baby but me, not even you are an exception." I said jokingly as I get into the car.

She sighs dramatically, "Oh no. I feel my heart clenching."

I chuckle, "But seriously, it's not that I don't trust you. It's just that my dad got this for me when I turned 16, I was ecstatic. I mean a ferrari? What kid wouldn't be? I guess it was evidence of a guilty conscience."

Artemis went quiet for a few seconds, as did I. I don't even know why I just said that. I mean it's not like we're suddenly best friends. I'm sure she doesn't want me telling her stuff like that, she must think I'm some kind of weirdo.

That's when I feel her hand on my own that grasped the gear shift, my other hand on the ignition as we drove out of school property.

"You know you never did talk about your uhh-" She hesitated, debating whether she should continue. "Dad. Your sister came and stayed over at my house for a full two weeks over the summer so she could get over it. You on the other hand...she said-"

"I did speak to, Apollo about it, briefly. But then I went and stayed with my uncle for that summer." I stated, trying desperately not to remember how empty I felt.

She squeezes my hand, "Isn't he the one running your dad's companies?"

I nod, "Yup, until I graduate university, Aphrodite never wanted anything to do with the business, so it's up to me. It's what father wanted."

"Is it what you want?" she asks with genuine concern.

The empty feeling inside my chest dissipated, instead joy took it's place.

I smile, loving that she cared, or at least appeared to.

"Perhaps. I do know I'm not going to college, I'm going to University as soon as I graduate."

"Oh I see." She leans her head on my shoulder, I stiffen. But not out of anxiety, more of surprise. "Like I said, I'm always here if you wanna talk."

I couldn't reply, mostly because I just didn't know how. Why would she want to do that for me?

I glance at her in the corner of my eye, still concentrating on the road. She looked so content, nothing like you'd expect from someone with her family history.

She reached out and turned the radio up. She smiled as 'Paradise' by Coldplay came on, or at least I think it was.

I didn't have time to distinguish it properly before the turnoff to the Milkshake Place came up.

"There's a parking spot right there." Artemis pointed to one right outside.

I retracted the keys from the ignition, the car came to a stand still.

Silence.

I stole a glimpse of her, she looked like she wanted to say something.

"I-" She began.

"Yes?" I asked.

She shook her head, "Nothing. Let's go inside."

I frown, intrigued at what must have been going through her head.

"Wait!" I shout as she opens her door, she jumps, clearly I gave her a fright.

I rush out the car and open the door for her, she raises her brow at me and begins to laugh.

"You gave me such a fright! All so you could open my door!" She burst into guffaws.

I blushed and chuckled bashfully, "Well I didn't want you to think I'm some ill-mannered idiot."

Artemis wiped her eye and stepped out the car, wrapping her arms around my lower body in a side hug.

My eyes widen and I cautiously wrap a single arm around her shoulder. She looks up at me with those silvery irises and flashes her award-winning smile.

My cheeks felt as if I'd decided to take a dip in scalding water.

"Wanna go in? Or do you just wanna stay here and stare at me like you've seen a ghost?" She winked.

I tapped her on her nose, "Inside."

She walked, her hand holding mine at her shoulder, I felt like a god as we walked in. People stared in awe and envy, especially people from our school.

The Milkshake Place was a well known diner for where the kids go to hang out, hence my surprise as to why she chose this place. Though it was deemed 'cool' by our student body, it had great food and the 60's style diner I guess reminded old people of 'Grease', so basically even adults and parents hung out here on family night. They were also no exception to those that stared at us like we were a new hybrid species not yet discovered by the world. They never regarded at me like that, the last time I got this much attention was when I officially became an orphan. Pity was the main emotion in their eyes in those days and occasionally in the present, but not today. No, currently it was if they were both perplexed and intrigued.

I spotted Alex sitting with a few of his friends at a table on the far side of the diner, his brow raised nearly further than his hairline as he eyeballed me and then Artemis. His freshman friends hit each other's arms and not so subtly pointed at us.

"Ignore them, they're freshman." Artemis whispered as we sat at a booth near the counter.

They were pure red leather, decorating the walls were posters of the iconic 'Grease' and other old movies. Old cars, the classic 'I need you' and 'We can do it' posters really did give a 60's feel. The only thing missing from the waitress's pink uniform and cute white hat was probably roller skates.

"Here are your menu's-" She handed us two menus and took out a notepad. She smiled brightly, she was a pretty girl with chocolate brown curls and the classic girl next door look. "I'm Jessica and I'll be your waitress."

I smile, "I'd like a Bubblegum Bliss and the lovely lady will have a-" I turned my attention to, Artemis.

She smiled up at Jessica, "Chocolate Fountain Freakshake, please."

Jessica winked at her, "Great choice, they'll be ready soon." She walked off, leaving Artemis and I to our own devices.

Our eyes met, my joy was abruptly replaced with nerve. My legs bobbed up and down, giving it away.

"Uhh-" I began, Artemis raised a single brow, making me more nervous, clearly she was used to confident guys. Guys like, Orion. Assholes. I didn't know what to say around her, why the hell was I even doing this?

My phone buzzed, saved by the bell.

I used this as an excuse to buy me some time, "Sorry, this is important, may I?"

"Go ahead!" She claimed with a reassuring wink.

I internally sighed with relief, feeling especially grateful that it was, Silena.

'What? OMG why didn't you tell me sooner! Are you there now?'

'YES!' I type rabidly, glancing up at Artemis with a 'just a minute more' look.

Silena responds instantly this time, 'Okay! First thing-Stay calm. Second-Don't be shy, it's irritating. Third-Talk!'

'About what? I'm stuck.'

'Anything! Cheerleading, her friends, family, anything! Don't you have some kind of friendship with her brother?'

'Yes, okay fine. Thx.'

'Call me after, I wanna know everything! :)'

I roll my eyes and slip my phone in my pocket, Artemis had been amusing herself on her own chats. She smiled down at her phone and typed something before looking at me and realising I was done.

"Everything okay?" She asks.

I nod, "Yeah, just a friend."

"That's good." Cue the awkward silence, once again.

I bit the inside of my cheek and opened my mouth, speaking before I thought through what I was gonna say.

"Why did you ask me to hang out with you?"

She is taken back by my bluntness, but doesn't seem to be surprised.

"I'm not too sure. We haven't spoken in a while, properly I mean. I just missed you." She blushes and finds the menu on the table an object of intrigue.

I chuckle nervously, fiddling with my hands on the table, "I guess I missed you too." You guess? You guess! That's such an asshole thing to say.

Artemis bites her lip and shuffles closer to me in the booth, "You're so far. Why?"

I gulp, the heat on her skin was making my hairs stand on end. I could sense her so close to me that if she just turned her face toward mine I could lean down and kiss her.

Her sweet, rosy scent laced with nature and pine trees invaded my nose and clouded my senses.

I tilted my head toward her, "I have my reasons."

She peeped at my lips and cleared her throat, "Uhh-I see."

She grins pleasingly when, Jessica approaches with our Milkshakes.

"Here y'all are. Would y'all like something to eat?" She chirped with a sweet southern accent.

"I'm fine with a Pizza, you?" I asked, Artemis.

She inclined her head, "Pepperoni?"

I raised en eyebrow, "I thought you cheerleaders didn't eat anything but granola bars. Milkshakes I understand, I mean come on. But cheese?"

Artemis feigned innocence, "Maybe I'm special?"

I rolled my eyes playfully, "So special you wanna barf."

Artemis laughed whole-heartedly aswe handed Jessica our menus, "Pepperoni please."

She scribbled our order down, "Gotcha. Enjoy your date!"

"Uhh-" I blushed, Artemis hid her giggle by sipping her 'Freakshake'.

She steals a glimpse up at me, her eyelashes reaching her eyebrows as she did this, I swayed as she fluttered them at me like I was the most important person in the world.

I take a swig of my bubble gum bliss to distract myself, "Mm blue."

She bursts out laughing, I give her a questioning look.

"Blue? Your drinking one of the best milkshakes in the state and you say 'Mm blue'?"

I laugh myself, realising how weird it must have sounded.

"I guess so. It's my favourite colour!" I take another sip.

She replies by lifting her straw to her lips, "Mmm brown." She compliments the chocolate delicacy.

I jab her ribs jokingly, "Mocking me are you?"

"Mock? Never, teasing yes." She winks and licks her lips sexily.

I feel my favourite organ throb, picturing her lips around something else.

"So how come your mom has been out of town a lot?" I ask, not knowing how that question came to mind.

She shrugs, "Work. I'm used to it though, my dad was never around. Although you can tell he has an incredibly guilty conscious. He pays my mom thousands more than he needs to for child welfare." Her tone turned glum, I guess I hit a sore spot.

I nod my head in understanding, "I understand. You don't have to explain."

I remembered the day she came over to the house, balling their eyes out, accompanied by her mother and brother. We were only nine, an age too young to find out that they're dad had another family, his real family. He'd been living a double life for years, Leto being his mistress. His name? Zeus Olympia, a business tycoon that rivalled even my father, Ouranos, but beat him in the asshole race.

It had been one of the few times father didn't leave for the weekend to play with his little whores. My father and mother had met in high school, my high school ironically. Leto and my mother had been best friends since middle school, when my mother got together with my father I guess he and Leto just had to learn to be friends, and in time best friends. It seemed Leto was the only woman besides our nanny that my father didn't try get into his bed. As funny as it sounds, my sister and Artemis took after our mother's in both friendship and extra curricular activities. Both were Varsity cheerleaders, and now so were their daughters.

I just wished I took after my father, before mom had died he was apparently adored by all, charismatic and funny. Probably why he was able to charm my mother into his bed, and only when Leto was around would he revert back to his old self, if just for a few hours. At the time, I was too young to understand why Leto was crying in my father's arms, only knowing that my best friend and his family were sad and there was nothing I could do but hug them. I don't think I'd ever felt more helpless than I did that day.

I grasped her hand tightly, a subconscious gesture as I recalled the memory of their brief but sad stay with us.

She leaned onto me, her head on my chest as she fingered her straw.

"I haven't seen him in ages." She whispers.

I lean my cheek on her head and stroke her hand with my fingers, a comfort gesture.

"Do you want to?"

She took a long sip of her shake before answering, "I don't know. He's always calling, asking if he can come see us. Apollo want's nothing to do with him, I feel nothing when I think of him. Is that cruel?" She asks, lifting her chin toward me.

I shake my head rapidly and wrapped my arm around her shoulder, "There is nothing wrong with that. I swear. I can relate to you more than anyone-well besides my sister-but that's not the point."

"What is the point?" Artemis asks with a tiny giggle.

I take a drink of my Bubblegum Bliss that honestly lived up to it's name.

"If you ever need to talk and you don't wanna tell anyone, not even my sister, you can always talk to me. It'll be our little secret."

The tips of her lips begin to upturn into a soft smile, she reached up and used her index finger to wipe the corner of my lip.

"You've got something-" She held her finger in front of my face, showing me the blue delight.

Then she lifted it to her mouth, I watched as her tongue wrapped around her finger and she sucked it off, never breaking my gaze. I guzzled down my drink in attempt to put myself off from her seductive eyes.

"Thanks." She stated randomly.

"Huh?"

She brushed her lips over mine, "I haven't really spoken about it, Aphrodite and I barely talk about that time in our lives." Her face still remained just a single centimetre away from mine.

I wet my mouth and bobbed my head in recognition, though I probably looked like an idiot.

"Here's y'alls order, sorry if I was interrupting." Jessica set our large dish down, clearing some space with her free hand.

The smell of oregano made my mouth water almost as much as Artemis's little finger licking stunt.

I gestured to the pizza, "Ladies first."

"No man, take-"

I held my hand up and eyed the pizza and then her.

She sighed, "You won't eat unless I do first won't you?" I nod, "Fine!" She gracefully retracts a piece from the plate, I follow very shortly after.

I can't help but be envious of the cheesy goodness her tongue was probably tasting right now.

Artemis's eyes turn to mine, I instantly shove a piece in my mouth and turn my eyes away.

I resisted the desire to moan, it was like heaven in one small plate of baked dough, tomatoes and cheese.

"Good huh?" She says, "Apollo was right when he said this pizza was the best on the menu."

"Yerp." I mutter, my mouth still filled with food, I swallow it before continuing, "So you told him we were coming here this afternoon?"

If she did I would feel really relieved since I didn't.

"Nope, I thought you would. You guys are best friends." She states before taking one last bite of her pizza.

I gulp, "Well we haven't been speaking much this week. You know, different times tables and stuff."

Artemis cocks her head to the side, "Don't you guys do that first friday of every month thing?"

I shrug, "We've been so busy with senior year and stuff we forget about stuff like that, it's not our first priority anymore."

She seems apprehensive.

"Totally understandable. It's probably why I'm grateful that your sister and I do cheerleading together, or I wouldn't see her."

"See? Senior year both rules and sucks."

She giggles and reaches for another piece of pizza, it was such a far distance when my own piece was right here.

I touch her hand gently and gesture to my piece, "Here."

She blushes and eyes it shyly, "You sure?"

I incline my head sheepishly, not sure why I had actually done that.

She leaned forward and open her mouth, biting into a spot where I had already eaten. It was an inadvertent kiss.

I sense her hand slithering under mine as we observe each other timidly.

I clutch her hand and give her my signature half-grin, she looks away without delay and let out a girlish simper. (An: Basically a smile.)

"Hey, Percy-" Artemis takes another bite of my pizza, "Why don't you do sports?" She asks as she finishes her mouthful.

"Oh uhh-I don't know. I never enjoyed them when I was younger, probably because I was very unfit."

She touches my stomach, causing my core muscles to contract.

"Well your fit now, why don't you do any sport?"

That was actually a very valid question. Aphrodite had brought it up on many occasions, but not as of lately. Perhaps she'd given up, but now that Artemis had mentioned it I kinda wanted to. Especially the way she described the after parties, football maybe?

"Do you think I should?"

She takes her bottom lip between her teeth, "I think you should do whatever makes you happy."

I tsk'ed, "That's not what I asked. What do you think of me doing football, you did mention it earlier?" I was reluctant to bring this up, especially since, Orion Hunt was The Captain of the Varsity team. It's not Like I couldn't take him on nowadays though. I just didn't want trouble.

Her cheeks redden, "Well do you know how to play?"

I laugh, "Of course, what do you think Apollo and the gang do on thanksgiving?"

She tittered, "Well then-" She strokes my jaw with her free hand, " If you can ignore, Orion being Captain, although I hear Coach was gonna make Ares captain this year cause Orion had been slipping." I sigh and shrug, opening my mouth to reply, but she carried on, "Other than that, I think it'd be really hot."

My eyelids opened wider than I expected, not really anticipating for her to reply like that. I stutter, her facial expression sending mountains of inappropriate thoughts to my head.

"I think I might try then." I whisper, stealing a glimpse of her mouth.

Scrumptious.

She responds by tapping the arm of my spectacles, "Why do you never take these off?"

I point to my glasses, "What, these? I don't know. I feel more comfortable with them. It hides my face."

"Why wouldn't you feel comfortable."

I sigh, recalling the memories of my childhood. Children could be cruel, calling you the worst of names. The only ones striking a nerve being the ones that targeted my face.

"Nothing, not used to getting compliments. I guess it was just kids being kids." I take a long, lasting sip of my drink. I managed to finish it while, Artemis was only 3 quarters done.

She frowns and grasps them gently, "May I?"

I pause, did I really want her to see me so openly. This was asking for trouble, she might just gasp and never speak to make again. I was hideous compared to what she was used to.

"Okay, but don't run for the hills."

She removes them, setting them on the table. Her eyes widen to comical levels, her lips parting.

I snatch my glasses, attempting to put them back on.

"I told you-" She grabs my wrist eagerly.

I freeze and examine her, she reaches up and caresses my cheeks.

"Percy-" Her eyes go droopy, "Who ever said you were ugly was-" She tilts her head, "Possibly the biggest moron I've ever heard of."

What was she saying? Confusion replaced my intrigue, I never like being confused. Especially since I was tortured about my looks every day for almost 8 years. Was she playing with me?

"Don't mock me." I retract her hand, she pulls it away and shifts so close to me her breasts her pressed against my arm, her stomach and-I shiver-lower abdomen grazing my hand.

"No, Percy." I detect her searing breath on my ear, "You're-"

"I'm what?" I ask a little harshly, mentally preparing myself for the rejection I've probably needed from her for a while.

"You're gorgeous." She presses her lips to the edge of my jaw. "Absolutely-" She travels closer to the front of my face, "Breathtaking." Her hands moving to my chest and her thigh overlapping mine.

I feel my body react to her touch, not going rigid like I wanted to. Instead it welcomed these kisses with open arms.

I breathe in sharply as she flutters her long lashes at me almost innocently, but judging by our position she truly wasn't.

My hands crawl across her legs and up her body, stopping at both her lower back and shoulder blades.

I relish the feeling of her body beneath my hands, "Fuck, Artemis-"

Someone cleared their throat, in front of us stood the one person I dreaded seeing while I was in this position.

Artemis gasped, pushing herself away from, "Apollo-"

Hope it was worth the wait, have the next chapter ready for editing:)

Lots of Love

-Princess