Chapter 17: The Birthday

Phoebe's POV

After leaving Camp, I got to see Connor once in a while, including at holidays and other special occasions. For instance, Artemis let me leave on my birthday to go see Connor.

"Who's she going to visit? She hasn't had any family for the last few thousand years." A Huntress had asked.

"She made a friend at Camp. Don't you remember Annabeth Chase or Katie Gardner?" Artemis had responded.

Even though Zeus had given me permission, we still hadn't told the Huntresses I could date. I ended up going to see Connor in the Hermes cabin along with Travis and Chris while the other Hermes kids were doing their regular activities. I think the best part of my visit was Connor's gift.

"A necklace?" I questioned.

It was a silver necklace with a bow and arrow design.

"It works kind of like how Annabeth's Yankee's cap works. It will turn you invisible. It used to be in the shape of a caduceus, but I asked Hephaestus to remold it." Connor blushed.

"I like it." I smiled.

"Great. Also, it can be worn as just a necklace without you turning invisible if you don't want it to. Every thief's dream." Connor grinned.

"Wasn't that a gift from Dad?" Travis asked.

"So?" Connor shrugged.

"So?! You remolded one of the coolest gifts Dad's ever given us, and gave it to her?!" Travis looked horrified.

"It's not like it was yours anyway. Besides, Connor never uses it because you two don't need it to be perfect thieves." Chris shot Travis a look.

I don't know what it is that bothers Travis about me so much. Is he still holding a grudge for shooting arrows into his helmet?

"Hey Travis, Annabeth's looking for you." Katie walked in.

"Why?" Travis seemed entertained.

"She said something about you tying Percy to his bed, pushing her in the lake, and telling people Clarisse and Silena are sleeping together." Katie said.

"Travis!" Clarisse's bellowing could be heard from outside.

"But it was funny. And I truly believe that last part." Travis grinned.

"You also believe that the government is out to get you even though they've never contacted you in your entire life. Now go face them or you'll make it worse by hiding." Katie pointed to the door.

Travis did what she said and we followed him outside.

"Travis..." Annabeth growled.

The way she said it made me think he did more than push her in the lake.

"Travis, why would you tell people that Clarisse and I are sleeping together? She's deliriously in love with Chris-you're brother-and I'm as straight as they come." Silena seemed more confused than angry.

"Please let me kill him." Clarisse begged.

"Because she has to beg you to kill me, but she ignores Chris when he says no." Travis grinned evilly.

"That's because Chris defends you when he doesn't need to since you're his brother. Silena on the other hand lets me if it's worth it." Clarisse looked one insult away from murder.

"I thought you said Travis just pushed you in the lake Annabeth-which he attempts every week. Why are you this angry?" Katie asked.

Annabeth looked like she was coming up with plans to kill Travis in the worst way possible.

"He didn't just push me in the lake." Annabeth said. "He tied me to Percy's bed with him, put the blanket over the ropes when we were positioned correctly, and took pictures so he could tell people that I was sleeping with Percy."

"Wow. He even made the most levelheaded person at Camp angry beyond reason. Let's kill him. But I want those pictures first." Silena got all giddy at the last part.

"Yes!" Clarisse agreed.

"You're not getting those pictures Silena." Annabeth rolled her eyes.

"But she ships Percabeth." Percy teased.

"Please stop saying that." Annabeth begged. "Wait, where did you come from?"

"I finally escaped the ropes. No thanks to my best friend." Percy gave her a half annoyed look.

"Sorry, I just wanted to kick his butt and I figured you'd be fine while I was gone." Annabeth shrugged.

Percy rolled his eyes and smiled.

"Aww, you two are so cute! Just like when Percy said that if anyone would be able to screw his head back on..." Silena started.

"What did I say about bringing that up?" Annabeth glared.

"That it never happened and I was just hallucinating because I was worried about the Myrmekes eating Charlie." Silena rolled her eyes and sighed.

"Yeah, just like I hallucinated that Phobos and Deimos gave Clarisse and I a reason to work together." Percy sarcastically winked at Clarisse.

"Shut up. Besides, you just proved Silena's point." Clarisse retorted.

"What are you guys talking about?" Connor asked.

"The Bronze Dragon quest and the Stolen Chariot quest." Silena shrugged.

"Oh." Connor said.

Connor had mentioned something about Percy going on quests that involved one of Hephaestus' automations and Ares' war chariot. After that, all the people Travis angered tied him up and threw him in the lake.

"I'll make sure he floats, but can't get out." Percy grinned.

Annabeth grinned back, Clarisse smirked at the two of them, and Silena was trying to take pictures. Chris just laughed at Travis as he screamed for help, while Connor just grinned at me. It was a great birthday. When I went back to the Huntress camp, I must've had a stupid grin plastered to my face.

"What are you so happy about?" Fiona was visiting.

"Travis Stoll got thrown in the lake by his prank victims and Percy Jackson made sure he would float, but couldn't leave the water." I giggled.

Artemis was giggling in the background. "Figures. What did he do to them?"

"He told everyone Clarisse and Silena are sleeping together, and tied Annabeth and Percy to a bed so he could take pictures that made it look like they were sleeping together." I giggled. "Then he pushed Annabeth into the lake while she was going after him."

"Never gets old." Thalia seemed in a better mood than usual. "S'mores? I made them when you were gone."

"Sure." I took one.

"She's been so chipper today, there has to be something wrong with her." Fiona muttered.

"I wouldn't be complaining if I were you." Artemis warned.

"Yeah, I can still electrocute you." Thalia grinned.

"Why are you so happy?" I whispered.

"I just killed the Nemean Lion. So I got what I've always wanted." Thalia was so happy she was sending sparks of electricity into the fire.

"Which is what?" I questioned.

"Zeus is going to stop trying to kill Luke. I just need to kill Lycaon so that I can date him without leaving the Hunters." Thalia whispered conspiratorially.

But it's going to take a while for Lycaon to reform. I thought.

I didn't want to ruin her mood, so I didn't say anything. And needless to say, it was the best birthday I've ever had.