Percy POV

Nico was different today. His shoulders were more slumped than usual. His expression was heartbroken.

He walked up to me. "Have you seen Ember?"

I shook my head. "No, sorry."

He looked crushed. "Ok."

"Nico, what's wrong?"

He tried to glare at me, but he just looked like he was about to cry. "I'm fine."

I shook my head as he walked away. Poor kid.

"What's wrong with Nico?" Annabeth walked over.

"I don't know," I replied, kissing her forehead. "I don't know."

Nico POV

I haven't seen ember all day. I'm not sure why I'm even thinking about this. I know exactly what is happening. And frankly I shouldn't be suprised by it. But honestly I am.

She's obviously avoiding me. I would ask someone but I feel like they either wouldn't know or wouldn't answer. I decide that Ember wouldn't be like that and that I'll just go to her cabin to talk to her. Right as I'm getting there Piper is about to open the door. "Nico. Uh what are you doing here?" she asks nervously.

Something is going on. Before I can say anything Piper jumps in again, "You can't see Ember she's terribly sick. Sorry." She snaps out as she pushes me away from the door.

I sigh and kick a rock with my toe. "Can I not keep one friend?" I wonder to myself.

Piper POV

Ember trembled as she told me how she saw Nico having a nightmare.

"And then what happened?" I ask as gently as I can.

"He-he told me...he told me he was gay, and now he'll never like me back!"

She broke down sobbing. I put my arms around her. "Sshh," I murmured. "It's ok."

"No it's not!" She whimpered. "He-he can't love me now!"

"Hey," I cooed, as if talking to a toddler. "You'll find someone. Or maybe he'll come around. It'll all work out, I promise."

She continued to sob for a little while. I rubbed circles into her back.

"So," she wiped her eyes. "I can't just keep avoiding him. What should I do?"

I smiled. "You're a good actress. Just act like it doesn't bother you. Act like you two are in elementary school again. Ok?"

She nodded. "I'll try."

I grinned. "Atta girl."

Ember POV

I just told piper about what happened. I actually feel alot better and i think i pretty much accepted the fact that nico is gay. She's right that they're plenty of fish in the sea, so all i have to do is throw this one back and reel in a new one.

I get up and get dressed in my white shorts and a tie-dyed crop top. Then slip on some sneakers and throw on a flower crown. I braid my dark hair loosely then put on a little makeup. I'm just about to leave when i hear some aphrodite girls yelling at each other. Something about a golden guava, and I'm hotter than you. Then i see connor and travis stoll out my window running and laughing hysterically.

"Wait dude I told ember, i'd bring her some food," Connor then says stopping his brother.

"You don't have too I'm all better and going to get some now. Care to join me?" I yell out my window. Travis grins and bows, "Well of course ma'lady." I hook arms with both of them and start skipping towards the mess hall.

"Hey travis isn't that Katie?" Connor asks pointing towards the Demeter cabin. Travis turns, wiggles his eyebrows, then says, "Duty calls," right before running off. Connor grabs my hand and begind leading me towards the strawberry fields.

" Ember, can i ask you a question?"

"You just did" I joke

"Haha you're hilarious" he says sarcastically.

"It's a gift" I reply.

"Ember really can i?"

"Shoot."

"Will you be my girlfriend Ember?"

Wow.

"This looks like the beginning of a beautiful friendship" he says trying to do a mobster impression.

"I think you're right," I say right before i kiss him.

Uh-oh! Plot twist! R&R! Tell me requests and maybe we can try to incorporate them into the story!