Sorry for the delay, but hope you like this one! Also, I need reviews, you guys! If you're a writer, you remember how much they helped you when you were a newbie.

Disclaimer: I do not own PJO.

The Fourth of July fireworks started on the same night we bought the clothes. It was getting closer to nighttime, and I was getting nervous. I wanted to talk to Percy about girls. He probably knew a lot about them. More than me, anyways.

"Hey, brother!" I greeted (a fancy word for "saying hello"!) him. He looked handsome. His hair was usually very messy, but today a lot of gel made it stiff. He kept touching his forehead, almost like he forgot it wasn't in his face.

"Hey, you exited? Heard Piper made you and Ella Top Couple! Any Aphrodite kid can nominate someone, but the head member is the one who decides. Which is funny, cuz I would've imagined that she would leave it up to the other girls." He shook his head. "Dunno what's gotten into her. I mean, she obviously picked the cutest couple-" here my face turned red, is there a word for that? "-but normally she lets Lacy or someone else pick. It's like her mom blessed her. Or cursed her. No one can tell the difference, to be honest."

I laughed. Percy always made me feel better. Like Ella almost, but in a different way. But I had come here for a reason.

"I wanted to ask you something..."

"Yeah?"

"Umm...I want to know how to-how to act a-around Ella." Why was I so nervous? I shouldn't be.

He laughed for some reason, which made me look at the floor. "Well, for starters, don't try to go too far. Like you can hold hands, hug, cuddle, maybe even kiss, but don't go past that, okay? You might want to, but remember that you've only known each other for a couple of months."

Now I was confused. "Past...kissing? I-I don't understand."

He was the nervous one now. He was jumpy all of a sudden. "Wait-no one ever-oh. Oh gods, I don't want to be the one who gives you the-how old are you again?"

His thoughts were moving faster than his words. I was confused, but I could answer his question. "I'm 12? 13? I don't know my birthday."

For some reason, he looked relieved. "Okay. Cyclopses probably age slower too, at least mentally. Not yet, then. But-gods, I'm gonna have to tell you sometime. That's gonna be awkward, especially since Ella-wait, Ella is half bird. Does it even work the same way? Now that I think of it, how does it work interspecies? How was Chuck born when his mom is literally just-" His face had a grossed-out look on it. "Wow. Graphic images. Waaaay too graphic. I should probably ask Annabeth on that one..."

How does what work? What did he have to tell me? I was very, very confused at this point. Time to get back on topic.

"So, how do I act around her?"

He was still distracted. "Just do whatever you always do. You're still a bit awkward, but that's part of making a great relationship. Honestly, there's nothing that you can do wrong..."

"Okay, thank you for your help, brother." He didn't actually help much, but that was okay. I left, planning to walk to the forges to get more of my second gift for Ella done. It was a necklace to match the bracelet. It wouldn't be done tonight, but hopefully it would be finished by our next date.

A girl appeared out of nowhere. I remembered her. She was the pretty Asian we saw in the store. The one who didn't like us. She was smiling now.

"Hey, sweetheart! Heard you, like, needed some pointers for hanging with your girlfriend. As an Aphrodite kid, I know ALL about love." Yes. This girl was definitely an expert. I wanted-no, I needed-to pay attention to every word. Whatever this girl said would help me. "First of all, don't talk to her, mmkay? All girls HATE communication of any kind. Second, don't hug her, or cuddle her, hon. Or, gods forbid, kiss her. Girls also hate physical contact, especially with the ones they love. Ignore every word she says, and everything she does. She wants to sit on your shoulder, sweetheart? Shrug her off. She tries to talk? Pretend you're deaf. Do all this, sweetie, and your relationship WILL thrive. Trust me."

Yes. Yes, I trusted her very much. Her words mesmerized (a word Ella taught me! I can't believe I used to listen to her) me. I nodded, and she walked away.

As Tyson stood by the cabins, dazed, Drew met up with Connor.

"Like taking candy from a baby, hon. They'll hate each other for weeks, even if they ever figure out why he became SO rude all of a sudden. Now, it's your turn, sweetie."

"Yes. I was just preparing my tools."