Ch.2 I Have a Little Chat with Grover

Disclaimer-I don't own PJO, as sad as it is.

Today, I'm hanging out with Grover. I'm heading back to camp today. He's the first person I'm going to talk to because I've known him the longest. I walked over Half-Blood Hill, into the valley where camp was. I saw Grover chasing a wood-nymph that immediately turned into a tree when he got close to catching her. Same old Grover. He saw me and waved.

"Hey, Percy." he said.

"Hey, Grover. What's up?"

"Not too much. How's life been out of camp?"

"Same-old, same-old. How've you been spending your time since you aren't looking for Pan anymore?"

"Different things, I guess. I was ready to spend my whole life searching for him. I'm kind of honored, though, that he trusted me with his message. And that I got to see him; that was cool."

"Yeah, I'm really happy for you."

"It's been a long time."

"Just a couple of months."

"Yeah, but it seems longer. I want to relive that day. It was so great to see him; to be the satyr that found him. I'll never forget it."

"I bet. I have to admit, it was really cool."

"Yeah. So, uh, enough about me, how've you been?" he asked.

"Good. It's nice to be back at camp. I'm excited. I love this place."

"Yeah…" his voice trailed off. He looked out into the woods.

"How's Juniper?" I asked.

Tears swelled in Grover's eyes. I shouldn't have asked him that. "She broke up with me," he whined. Grover is very sensitive. I should really remember to watch what I say.

"Aw, I'm sorry, man." I said, trying to cheer him up. "There are more girls out there."

"Yeah, but they aren't like her." He said her as if he were in love with the word. "She is just so…naturey." I didn't bother mentioning to him that naturey is not a word. "I thought we had a great connection." He paused. "She thought the opposite."

"There are plenty of nymphs and naiads in camp. They're naturey." I said.

"Umm, Percy, I don't think that naturey is a word." he said. I wanted to tell him that I was just trying to relate to him and that he just used that word, err not word. I decided that I shouldn't when he is like this.

"Oh," I said. "My bad." I smiled at him, and he forced a smile back. "But still."

"Yeah, I know that there are plenty of nymphs and naiads here, but I still can't get over her." I knew how he felt. I felt the same way for a while after I left Calypso's island of Ogigia. I didn't want to let her go.

"I know how you feel, dude." I put my hand on this shoulder.

He looked up at me. "You mean Annabeth? She's down in her cabin if you want to talk to her."

"Oh, I forgot she was here," I lied. I could never forget anything about Annabeth, but Grover needed me more right now. "I think I'm just going to stay here with you for now." Grover looked a little hurt. I ran what I said back through my mind. I did sund demeaning. "What I mean is, is that you're my first priority. I want to talk to you first."

"Oh," he said. "OK. Thanks."

"So," I tried to bring up the Pan thing again to raise his spirits. "Did the satyrs award you anything for finding Pan?"

He smiled. "Yeah, they gave me a ribbon and a lot of honor and dignity," he looked pained. "That Juniper took away when she dumped me!"

"Dude! It's okay. Settle down." I said. "YOU are the brave satyr that traveled into the Labyrinth. YOU are the triumphant satyr that found Pan. NO ONE, not even Juniper can take that away." I said. "You are one of the greatest people that I know. If Juniper can't see that, it's her loss. She doesn't deserve you."

His expression brightened. "Yeah, you're right. I should be proud of myself." I patted him on the back. "Thanks, Percy."

"No problem, man."