Zoë slammed the locker room door open, cursing when it popped back on her arm. The rest of them team walked quietly behind her. The rest of her team followed quietly behind.

They watched Zoë storm over to her designated locker near the middle of the large "U" formation. After a few angry and unsuccessful attempts, she managed to get the correct combination into her locker. She quickly yanked off her cleats and socks, throwing them into her locker and muttering under her breath. Members of the team made uncomfortable eye contact with one another before they all settled on Artemis.

The captain quickly noticed their stares and rolled her eyes. Cowards,she thought. She huffed and walked over towards her girlfriend. When she reached Zoë, she had her jersey in her hand, leaving her undershirt exposed.

"Unbelievable. Never mind the fact that she was the one that committed the foul but Adela was the one that got hit with the red card," Artemis heard her complain under her muttering angrily. "Shouldn't of even had the game winning goal because she never should've been granted the penalty kick."

"Darling," Artemis interrupted her rambling gently, placing a hand on the small of Zoë's back to gain her attention. "They won't win the championship title, if that's any consolation."

"Exactly! The best team didn't win and it's absolutely ridiculous," she snapped, throwing her jersey harshly into her locker. "That Thalia Grace ruins everything! Their team has only gotten this far because of her father!"

"You mean our father?"

Zoë winced slightly. "Yeah whatever," she mumbled. "I forget that you two are sisters."

"Half," Artemis softly corrected.

"Either way she hasn't earned it."

"She's the best freshman forward in the country, and a player that you were determined to have on our team. I seem to recall you trying to help coach recruit her."

"Yes and she chose to follow that stupid boy instead, and now she's not going to win the damn title while also preventing us from winning it."

"Then she shall have to handle the consequences of her actions, darling. She made a decision and even if it's not a good one, it's hers to make."

Zoë breathed deeply through her nose and turned back to her locker. Artemis rubbed her shoulder.

"We still get to compete for third place, and we'll retain enough talent from this year to be strong contenders next season." Noticing Zoë roll her eyes, Artemis' patience finally ran out. "You know what? I'm over it. I don't know what exactly happened between you two but you're going to have to get over the whole Thalia thing."

"Excuse me?"

"Holidays with my family are already rough enough as it is and I really don't need you contributing to it just because you didn't get your way."

"It isn't—it isn't just because she didn't join the team, Artemis," Zoë growled. "She insulted the team. She insulted me and she insulted you. She met you once before we started recruiting her, and because she's related to you, she somehow thought it was appropriate to tell me that she knew the real you."

"Which is what exactly?"

"That the real you is an arrogant narcissist that cares very little for me or anyone else on this team. That even your own twin means less than the dirt on your shoes and she wouldn't be caught dead wasting her time with any of us."

Artemis took a moment to process her words. Zoë had never told Artemis the specifics of the conversation she had with Thalia that caused such disdain, but she quickly realized it had little to do with the younger girl's actual choice. Such a big heart, she thought, softening the look in her eyes and smiling warmly, she reached out for Zoë's hand.

"Recruits choose other schools all the time," Zoë continued quietly, she head low. "I don't care that she chose another school to play at. I care about how she handled her decision."

Artemis nodded silently. She waited a moment before speaking.

"Despite the problems between you two," she whispered. "I think she has come to recognize the loyalty and talent you have."

Zoë scoffed.

"That explains the elbow in my ribcage then," Zoë barked.

"And who knows?" Artemis continued cautiously, using her free hand to rub the back of her neck and avoid eye contact. "Perhaps she might even end up transferring schools and join our team next season."

"What?" Zoë demanded through clenched teeth and pulled away. "What do you mean by that?"

Artemis grimaced. "She might've told me that she's going to transfer in no matter what happens in the tournament."

"When did you two get on speaking terms?"

"Only very recently. She's my sister."

"Blood isn't everything. Or does that only apply to me and my family?"

"That's not fair!"

"Isn't?" Zoë questioned. She didn't wait long before grabbing the towel from her locker and started to storm off.

"Where are you going?"

"To take an ice bath," she spat. "I'm already pretty sore from the match, especially in my ribcage, courtesy of your bff sister."


Yes of course I'd come back to bring you another College AU. I've been wanting to write more canon-compliant drabbles that take place inside the actual Percy Jackson universe and incorporate more of the Hunters but I couldn't resist a little tiff between Zoë and Artemis in the soccer world.